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Inside Luxembourg: Naturpark Öewersauer

10 June 2026

By Isabelle Frisch-Koopmans

Some places in Luxembourg invite you not only to visit, but to slow down and listen. The Naturpark Öewersauer, in the north of the country, is one of those landscapes where water, forest and sky seem to create a gentler rhythm of time. Between the vast lake, the wooded hills and the small villages scattered across the region, it becomes a place where nature is not just observed, but quietly experienced. 

For families, the Naturpark Öewersauer offers something quite rare: space to move, to breathe and to discover together, without the need for grand attractions. Here, a day can unfold through walking, watching and noticing small details that might otherwise pass unnoticed. 

A landscape shaped by the Stauséi 

At the heart of the park lies the Upper Sûre Lake, known in Luxembourgish as the Stauséi. Created in the 1960s as a reservoir, it now provides most of Luxembourg with drinking water, while at the same time forming one of the country’s most peaceful natural environments. 

The lake stretches quietly through the valleys, reflecting forests and changing skies. Its presence shapes the entire landscape – the light, the air and even the sounds that travel across the water. 

For children, this becomes a simple but powerful discovery: something so calm and beautiful is also essential for everyday life. 

© David Taljat, Dreamstime

Nature, learning and quiet discovery 

The Naturpark Öewersauer is not only a place to walk, but also a place to learn through experience. A strong focus is placed on environmental education, making it particularly well suited for families and school-aged children. 

Across the park, children can: 

• explore nature trails with small tasks and observations 
• discover information boards about water, forests and wildlife 
• learn how drinking water is protected 
• engage with seasonal workshops and guided activities 

You can explore these family-friendly offers here: 

www.naturpark-sure.lu/ 
www.naturpark-sure.lu/nps-tax-offer-tag/kinderfreundlich/ 

 

Forests, paths and changing perspectives 

The hills surrounding the Stauséi are covered in dense forests, crossed by gentle, well-marked paths. These walks are rarely demanding, but they offer something else: changing perspectives. 

One moment, you walk in the cool shade beneath trees. The next, the forest opens to a wide view over the lake. 

For children, this creates a natural sense of exploration: 

• noticing light and shadow 
• listening to birds 
• spotting insects or small movements along the path 

A simple walk becomes a series of small discoveries. 

 

Water, movement and the Solarboat 

Although the Stauséi is carefully protected as a drinking water reservoir, certain activities allow families to experience it in a respectful way. 

One particularly special experience is the solar-powered boat, which moves quietly across the lake. For children, this creates a memorable connection between technology and nature. The movement is almost silent, allowing them to observe reflections, landscapes and wildlife in a calm setting, while also discovering how solar energy can be used in everyday life. It is a gentle reminder that innovation and environmental care can go hand in hand. 

 

Villages and a gentle human presence 

Small villages such as Esch-sur-Sûre, with its river loop and castle ruins, show how people have lived in harmony with this landscape for generations. 

These places do not dominate the surroundings. Instead, they sit quietly within them, contributing to the calm atmosphere that defines the region. 

Esch-sur-Sûre © Maloff2, Dreamstime

Family ideas 

A family day in the Naturpark Öewersauer can unfold in a gentle and flexible way: 

• begin with a short walk along a forest path 
• stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Stauséi 
• explore a nature trail with small discoveries 
• enjoy a picnic in the shade of the trees 
• or experience the lake from the solarboat 

Along the way, children may ask beautifully simple questions: 

• Where does our drinking water come from? 
• Why are some places protected? 
• How can we take care of nature? 
   

Word of the Week 

Stauséi – reservoir, artificial lake used to store water. 

Luxembourgish example: 
„De Stauséi liwwert Drénkwaasser fir Lëtzebuerg.“ 

English: 
“The reservoir provides drinking water for Luxembourg.” 

 

 

The Naturpark Öewersauer invites us to slow down in a quiet and almost effortless way. Between water, forest and sky, even a simple walk can become something meaningful when shared together. 

Perhaps it is in these small moments – with children noticing a reflection on the lake, a sound in the trees or a path opening ahead – that we rediscover how special these places can be. 

I hope this week brings you time to pause, to explore and to enjoy a little piece of Luxembourg’s quiet beauty. 

Léif Gréiss, 

– Isabelle 

• This article is part of our “Inside Luxembourg” series, celebrating the stories, flavours and traditions that shape our local culture.