In the neighbourhood: Cents and Hamm
A Luxembourgish neighbourhood at the eastern corner of the city, Cents was historically established on the road to Trier. South of it lies Hamm, a popular residential district which like Cents, is close to the airport, Kirchberg and the old town areas of Clausen and Grund.
About 5% of the City's population lives in Cents (around 6,389 people at end 2021), whereas its smaller neighbour Hamm has just 1,519 residents. Despite being on the flight path for Findel airport, house prices remain high in both areas, although less expensive than other city locations.
A little background...
Rue de Treves has connected Luxembourg to Trier since the Middle Ages and runs through Cents today. Cents was formerly part of Hamm, but became a separate part of Luxembourg City in 1920. The neighbourhood became urbanised in the 1960s with the construction of the City Frommes by the National Society for Cheap Housing, but the Church of the Holy Spirit was only consecrated in 1980, making it the newest in the City.
Hamm is perhaps best-known for being home to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial and the final resting place of more than 5,000 American servicemen including General Patton. The origins of Hamm date back to the construction of a monastery in the 14th century, and the area grew with industrialisation in particular under the patronage of the Godchaux Company. Many of the houses in Hamm were built in the 19th century.
Property prices
According to Wort Immo the current price per square metre of real estate in the area is:
Cents
Apartment (new) €12,009
House (old) €10,617
Hamm
Apartment (new) €10,958
House (new) €10,447
Facilities
Shopping & Services
There is a Delhaize store on Allée du Carmel in Cents but the one in Hamm has closed, a butcher's Maison Steffen (with a great selection of prepared meats) and a Fischer bakery on rue de Trèves, as well as a Namur on rue de Bitbourg, for all your daily sustenance.
If you need a hair cut try Creative Team Angelsberg on Boulevard Charles Simonis, or Hair Touch on Allée du Carmel where there's also a medical pedicure place. There's a pharmacy on this street too, plus the Cents Medical Centre, and you'll find a Bicherschaf shared book place near the pharmacy.
The Sylvie Beauty Institute is at 52 boulevard Jules Salentiny, offering facials and massage. There's another hairdresser, Raison, at 15 rue Robert Bruch.
You'll find tyre centre Roude Leiw on rue de Bitburg and a printing place We Print also on the same road.
Schools
Cents has a pre-school and primary school at rue Léon Kauffman which was newly refurbished and reopened December 2022. The new site has a new sports centre with a multi-functional hall and a height-adjustable swimming pool. The school includes a childcare centre, three classrooms and three living areas, early learning at garden level, and six classrooms for pre-school. There is also a library and teaching kitchen.
There's a primary and pre-school at 159 Rue de Hamm.
St. George's International School is based in Hamm on rue des Peupliers and provides an English-language education from primary through secondary that follows the International GCSEs qualifications. Fees are applicable.
For crèches, you can try Crèche Haensel & Gretel on 44 Boulevard Charles Simonis, or Nursery Les Petits Fermiers on Rue des Pommiers. There is also three KidsCare (Babilou) creches one at 54 rue Cents the other at Allee du Carmel, and yet another at rue des Pommiers, the first of these is also a Foyer du Jour for older children. You'll find Creche L'ile au Trésor and crèche European Children on Am Haff. A new creche is planned for rue de Trèves.
The city runs a childcare centre at rue Arthur Knaff and a Foyer Inclusion at rue de Trèves in Cents.
There's a playgroup for 0-3 years at 167 rue de Treves, which meets in Luxembourgish (Tuesday 9-11.30), in English (Wednesday 9.15 to 12.00) and Finnish (Friday 9.30 to 12.00). At the same location you'll find mini music and musical awakening.
St George’s has a weekly playgroup for ages 12 to 36 months and their parents time to bond while singing and playing music-related games. It's on Fridays from 9.30-10.30 and costs €10 per family. You can find more details here, or email playgroup@st-georges.lu.
Transport & parking
Bus lines 4, 9, 14, 20, 29, and CN1 serve Cents, while lines 15, 25, and 29 run through Hamm. The Cents-Hamm railway station is on Line 30 connecting Luxembourg City to Trier (although there are some works on the line between Luxembourg City and Oetrange with more information here).
Recreation
According to the Ville de Luxembourg website, Cents has 11 playgrounds, 1 multisport pitch, a petanque court and a football pitch where RM Hamm Benfica play. There's also a tennis court Fetschenhaff-Cents which runs a tennis school. There's an FNEL scouts group operating from Rue de Treves.
You can find out more about clubs and associations in the area here.
The most notable playground is the airport-themed one at Op der Heed, complete with an aeroplane, check in, baggage trolleys, slides, and a sandpit. You can find other playgrounds in the area here.
The Godchaux circuit takes in the history of the textile industry in Hamm, and you can download a brochure with the walking route and historical explanation here.
Restaurants and cafes
Brasserie du Cents has a kids menu and offers staples like escalope, steak and burgers. Restaurant Centser Roud Haus on rue de Trèves offers some classy dining with gastronomy menus varying in price from €39-€69. Fish dishes include sole and cod, with meatier beef and veal steaks for bigger appetites.
Check out the cordon bleu at Cents Cafe Beim Zeutzius at 71 rue de Tréves, which also serves beer.
For Chinese cuisine try Restaurant Jade Village at 187 rue de Hamm where the Thai chicken curry comes highly recommended.
Alternatively you'll find standard Italian fare at Il Piccolo Mondo Hotel Restaurant on the same road. The njÖrd Kitchen is based at 211 rue de Hamm and serves up fresh, locally-sourced dishes including Smørrebrød.
For a taste of the Black Stuff, and all the warmth of an Irish country pub, catch a sports game or some live music at this establishment of the same name on Val de Hamm.
Cafe Hamm Stuff at 160 rue de Hamm is a popular Portuguese place serving food and drinks, open until late, and literally has punters dancing on tables.
The Pepito food truck dishes up slices of beef in different styles served in Ciabatta, weekdays 10.30 to 14.30 at 13 rue de Bitbourg. For takeaway pizza try La Piazzetta on 15 rue Robert Bruch.
Nearby in Polfermillen you'll find the delightful La Villa, with light tasteful decor, a summer terrace and cigar lounge, and a high-class menu of Mediterranean food including vegan options. And, of course, you are within spitting distance of the bars and restaurants in Clausen and Grund.
Find out more....
You can find out more about these city quarters on the Ville de Luxembourg Cents and Hamm and on cents-online.lu
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