After serving various purposes over the years, Maison Gilly in Luxembourg City is set to become a hub for civic education, with the Chamber of Deputies planning a visitors' centre on the building's ground floor.

The "Maison Gilly," which has served as a butcher's shop, a shoe store, and later as "Maison de l'Europe," is currently undergoing renovations. The Chamber of Deputies plans to open a visitors' centre on the ground floor to make the building more accessible to the public.

"Work is underway, and we obtained the building permit in November. We hope the President of the Chamber of Deputies will be able to announce the opening at the next New Year's reception," said Laurent Scheeck, Secretary General of the Chamber of Deputies, during Monday's New Year's ceremony in Parliament.

The Chamber of Deputies aims to open its doors even wider to the public, especially in a time when "democracy in Luxembourg is under pressure," as noted in a message from Chamber President Claude Wiseler. The visitors' centre is expected to open in early 2026.

Located at the corner of Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes and Rue de la Boucherie, Maison Gilly was previously home to the office of the European Parliament and the European Commission's Representation in Luxembourg until July 2021.

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© Maurice Fick / RTL

The building, dating back to the early 17th century, still carries the "Gilly" sign, a remnant of the shoe shop founded in 1921. The Lieblich family operated the shop on the ground floor until 2006, a well-known establishment to many in Luxembourg City.

Wiseler emphasised that the new reception area will be positioned next to the Chamber of Deputies to provide a space for more visitors, education, and the promotion of democratic values that the Chamber believes are crucial.

"The Chamber of Deputies has rented the building and is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring it," Scheeck explained. Parliamentary administrative services are located on the first and second floors.

On the ground floor, a visitors' centre will be created, hosting conferences and public events related to Parliament. The centre will be open to everyone, with a particular focus on one audience: young people. The centre will feature a dedicated area for school classes that regularly visit the Chamber of Deputies to learn about Luxembourg's parliamentary democracy through discussions with MPs.

The ground floor will be transformed into a space for documentation, exhibitions, and conferences, incorporating interactive devices designed to educate citizens. "We're even considering opening a small shop selling promotional items," Scheeck added.