Contern

Contern Conter (Luxembourgish) Conton
Commune
St. Walpurga's church
Coat of arms
Map of Luxembourg with Contern highlighted in orange, and the canton in dark red
Coordinates: 49°35′04″N 6°13′33″E / 49.58444°N 6.22583°E / 49.58444; 6.22583
Country	Luxembourg
Canton	Luxembourg
First Settlement built	approx. 2nd century
Government
• Mayor	Marion Zovilé-Braquet
Area
• Total	20.55 km2 (7.93 sq mi)
• Land	20.55 km2 (7.93 sq mi)
• Rank	54th of 100
Highest elevation	356 m (1,168 ft)
• Rank	81st of 100
Lowest elevation	237 m (778 ft)
• Rank	45th of 100
Population  (2023)
• Total	4,374
• Rank	44th of 100
• Density	210/km2 (550/sq mi)
• Rank	43rd of 100
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
LAU 2	LU0000302
Website	contern.lu

Contern (Luxembourgish: Conter [ˈkontɐ] ^ⓘ) is a commune and town in southern Luxembourg. It is located east of Luxembourg City.^[1] As of 2024 the commune has a population of 4,513 whereas the town itself, which lies in the south-west of the commune, has a population of 1,876.^[2][3]

The main towns are Contern, Moutfort and Oetrange and there are two small villages, Medingen and Milbech. Additionally the commune contains the lieux-dits of Bricherhaff, Brichermillen, Kréintgeshaff, Kackerterhaff, Marxeknupp and Pleitrange.^[4][1] The commune also contains the industrial zones of Chaux de Contern, and Rosswenkel, as well as the activity zone of Weiergewan.

The town dates back to around the 9th century and was initially economically focused on farming. Having gone through various changes in governance over the centuries, the commune as it exists today was formed around the 19th century. In recent years Contern has industrialised; however, it mainly functions as a commuter town into Luxembourg City, as do most of the other settlements in the commune. As a result Contern boasts the 10th highest median average salary out of all 102 communes in Luxembourg as of 2022.^[5]

The Romans settled Luxembourg in the 1st century BC, it has been speculated whether or not the settlement of Contern was founded by them or even previously. This has not however been established despite the presence of remnants of Roman infrastructure within the boundaries of today's commune. They include a crossing over the Trudlerbaach, part of the Roman road linking Luxembourg and Dalheim, with remnants of the road passing through the farmstead of Faerschthaff.^[6] In the commune, there are also remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct, a temple and a few Roman villas. Signs of Celtic habitation are significantly less clear. The name Contern first appeared in a charter from 879 AD, although its first official listing was by Pope Honorius II in 1128. In spite of this it is almost certain Contern dates back to the Celtic Era. In the 14th century it was recorded in writing as Guntrein.^[7] Contern in the 13th century was considerably influenced by Christianity and chivalry. At this time Contern became a parish which led to the construction of its church.^[8][9]

Contern was officially incorporated as a parish in 1621. In 1684, neighbouring Oetrange also became a parish followed by Moutfort in 1707. At the time, the parish of Contern had no lieux-dits although Oetrange was home to the settlement of Kackerterhaff. Moutfort included the settlements of Medingen and Milbech as well as Moulin de Milbech and the farmstead of Pleitrange.^[10][11] By 1796 Contern was founded as an Arrondissement, which was home to several localities:

Contern remained an arrondissement until 1912 but prior to its being dissolved, today's commune was formed. Precise details are unknown but the earliest census applicable to Contern with its current boundaries is from 1821 and the oldest archived reference to Contern dates back to 1842 when it was mentioned in a newspaper.^[12][13] ex By 1890 most of the former arrondissements of Contern were incorporated as lieux-dits and census subdivisions.

From 1945 onwards, Contern's municipal structure was made up of Contern, Oetrange, Moutfort and Medingen. The parish of Oetrange was absorbed into the parish of Moutfort in 1946. Shortly thereafter in 1948, the parishes of Contern and Moutfort were effectively dissolved.^[10][11]

In November of 2023, the DuPont chemical plant located partially within Contern threatened to lay off a large portion of its staff.^[15]

In 2024, a small car park in the town centre beside the church cemetery just off of CR243 Trunk Road was converted into a small pedestrianised square. In May, it was controversially announced that the square would be named “Place de Luc Frieden” in the honour of the sitting primer minister of Luxembourg who has resided in the commune for 30 years. The mayor of Contern, Marion Zovillé-Braquet who was affiliated with Frieden’s party CSV states that the naming was by no means political meanwhile councillors of Contern affiliated with DP stated that naming a square after a sitting prime minister is a “practice common in dictatorships” and that street names should generally be a “Posthumous honour” of LSAP backed up the mayor amid the controversy having already voted in favour of the name in the council meeting.^[16]

Although no prominent archaeological sites or artifacts date back to Celtic times, much remains from the Romans including some housing ruins and remnants of an aqueduct.^[17] The most prominent item from the Romans however the Gallo-Roman villa which stood on the current site of the town. Its remains can be seen to this day.^[18]

Following World War II, the Luxembourgers had strong distaste for their former German overseers. This was why almost every place in the country was renamed from its original Luxembourgish name of German origin, to that of French origin without changing too much. Contern's name would have stayed Conter if it weren't for the French pronunciation of "er" being far too strong., An "n" was therefore added. It could have been possible to have followed what places like Hesperange did, but in the end it stuck to the name Contern. In the modern era, to encourage more Luxembougish in the commune, many documents and signs use "Conter" instead of Contern.^{[citation needed]}

The Commune of Contern is located within the Canton of Luxembourg itself within Luxembourg District.

Contern is bordered by the communes of Sandweiler and Schuttrange to the north, Lenningen and Bous-Waldbredimus to the east, Dalheim to the south, Weiler-la-Tour to the southwest and Hesperange to the west. In general, the borders of Contern are not defined by any major roads of rivers but there are exceptions. Between Eitermillen and the border with Sandweiler, the Kackeshbaach marks the border between Contern and Schuttrange. Between Syren and Brichemillen, the River Syre marks the border with Weiler-La-Tour and east of the Contern-Sandweiler industrial zone, the Réimeschbaach marks the border with Hesperange.^[1][19]

[[File:Ötringen_vom_"Roude_Bësch"aus.jpg|thumb|Typical topography of Contern containing rolling hills. Taken from the east of Oetrange, Contern covers an area of 20.55 square kilometres, making it, as of 2022,^{[needs update]} the 54th largest commune in Luxembourg out of 102.^[20] It had a population of 4374, the 44th highest out of 102 communes as of 2023 giving it a population density of 210 people per square kilometre, 43rd highest in Luxembourg. The population has since risen to 4,513 inhabitants.^{[citation needed]}

Contern lies within the Guttland region of Luxembourg and covers part of both the Luxembourg Plateau and Moselle Valley sub-regions.^[21] The contrast between the two sub regions gives Contern a varying topography, from the rolling hills in the south, north and west to the sharp sandstone cliffs to the east around Medingen.

Contern is largely centred around the River Syre, which nearly perfectly bisects the commune, and to a lesser extent, its tributaries. The Syre flows north-east from Syren in the commune of Weiler-la-Tour continuing up to the border with Schuttrange halfway between Oetrange and Schrassig. Whilst flowing through the commune, it directly bisects both Moutfort and Oetrange and the lieux-dits of Bricherhaff and Brichermillen. There is one tributary of the Syre which directly hosts a settlement, the Kackeschbaach with Eitermillen. The remaining settlements are located atop hills including Contern itself.^[1]

The nearest place to survey the climate is in Luxembourg City however temperatures likely differ slightly due to the urban heat island effect present in Luxembourg City which isn't felt to the same extent in Contern. Contern has an oceanic climate (Cfb), with moderate precipitation, cold to cool winters and warm summers. It is cloudy about two-thirds of the year.

Being in the Guttland region, Contern’s geological structure consists largely of Luxembourg Sandstone with deposits of lime and clay underneath. The rock formations that now surround the River Syre date back to the late Triassic period.^[26][27]

• 
  Contern
• 
  Moutfort
• 
  Oetrange
• 
  Medingen
• 
  Milbech
• 
  Kréingeshaff
• 
  Pleitrange
• 
  Eitermillen
• 
  Bricherhaff
• 
  Brichermillen
• 
  Kackerterhaff
• 
  Faerschthaff

Contern lies exclusively within the Rhine and Moselle basins. Most of Contern’s territory flows into the Moselle through the Syre. A small portion in the northwest of the commune however flows into the Alzette and the Sauer before reaching the Moselle. The Syre itself passes though the commune and is a defining feature of the landscape. It flows southwest to north east but does not pass near the centre of the commune. Instead, it initially runs across the south before turning and running up north. The central and eastern areas of the commune are home to tributaries of the Alzette.

List of rivers which at least in part flow through Contern

Name	Tributary of	Template
Syre	Moselle	‹ The template below (Syre (river)) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Syre Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Highway Bridge Rail Bäschtrëf Weiler-la-Tour\Dalheim Track CR132 Haardbaach Hasserbaach Trudlerbaach Haardegaass Rue de Moutfort Wiweschbaach Track Bridge Contern/Weiler-la-Tour Weiler-la-Tour/Contern Contern/Weiler-la-Tour Bricherbaach Bricherhaff Brichermillen Schleederbaach CR132 Millegassel Rue de Medingen Impasse de la Syre Route de Remich Kackeschbaach Mutferterbaach Rue de Canach Contern/Schuttrange Track Bridge Birelerbaach Rue de Canach Sentier de l’Eglise Aefelter Wetlands Channel Rue de Beyren Minsberbaach Heinswenkel Track Viaduc de la Haute Syre (Autoroute Trèves) Schlammwiss Track Niederanven/Schuttrange Aalbaach Schuttrange/Niederanven Bouneschbaach Niederanven/Schuttrange Track Bridge Niederanven/Betzdorf Mensterbaach Wooden Bridge Schweechebaach CR134(Rue de Moulin) Wetlands Channel Kuelesbaach Route de Grevenmacher Rue de Moulin Storm Drain Zillerei Luxembourg-Trier line Roudemerbaach Rue de Flaxweiler Nurrisbaach Buusbaach Stéckerbaach Luxembourg-Trier line Dallgriecht CR145(Rue de la Grotte) Farming Bridge Rue de Wecker Betzdorf/Biwer CR134 N4 Fluessweilerbaach Biwer Bach Harbierg Luxembourg-Trier line Weckerbaach Am Syrdall Biwer/Manternach Track Bridge Luxembourg-Trier line Ditch Koulerbaach Track Bridge Storm Drain Shorenbaach CR139(Op der Gare) Am Burfeld Wuelbertsbaach Burerbaach Strachenbaach Langfurbaach Trail Dam Luxembourg-Trier line Ancient Waterway ditch Fëlsbaach Fussebaubaach Frolbaach Luxembourg-Trier line Manternach/Mertert Track Bridge Fielsmillen Culvert Track Culvert Track Bridge Wangertsbaach Fausermillen Culvert Schlammbaach Foolgruet Track Bridge Path Ford Autoroute de Tréves (Viaduc de la Haute Syre) Route de Vin Freight Line Cycle Bridge River Moselle
Trudlerbaach	Syre	‹ The template below (Trudlerbaach) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Trudlerbaach Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Rail Unnamed Brooks An Der Steng An Der Steng Lac Beriton CR 226 Storm Drain Weir Beriton Culvert Unnamed Brook Farming Culvert Farming Culvert Gaardebaach Farming Culvert Storm Drain Troudelerbréck Faerschthaff Bridge Unnamed Brook Roman Bridge Farming Bridge Contern/Weiler La Tour Weir Hemspeltbaach Weir Storm Drain Storm Drain Trudlermillen Weir Unnamed brook Freight Line Storm Drain Millebréck Storm Drain Rue D’Alzingen Culvert River Syre
Kackeschbaach	Syre	‹ The template below (Kackeschbaach) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Kackeschbaach Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Highway Bridge Rail Storm Drains Rue de Contern Kettebaach Farming Bridge Farming Bridge Rue de Remich Rue de Remich Trail N28 Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Fehresbaach Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Contern/Sandweiler Sandweiler/Contern Gemengebaach Gemengebesch Track Trail Bridge Stuwelsbesch Track Hoisensprenger Stuwelsbaach Luxembourg-Trier line Rue de Moutfort River Syre
Schleederbaach	Syre	‹ The template below (Schleederbaach) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Schleederbaach Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Rail Slip Road CR234 Sentier de la Résistance et de la Jeunesse Sacrificéee 1940-1945 Sentier de la Résistance et de la Jeunesse Sacrificéee 1940-1945 Sentier de la Résistance et de la Jeunesse Sacrificéee 1940-1945 Rue Edmund Reuter Rue Edmund Reuter Track Bridge Ieselbaach Reservoir Iselslach Culvert Läiteschbaach Luxembourg-Trier line Track Storm Drain Milledall Culvert Wilkonnerbaach Klipperbaach Ledenbaach Luxembourg-Trier line CR234 Moulin de Milbech Culvert Millebaach Muhlbach Farming Bridge Rue de la Source Freight line Ditch CR132 Rue de la Source River Syre
Réimeschbaach	Itzigerbaach	‹ The template below (Réimeschbaach) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Réimeschbaach Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Rail Unnamed Brook Lauterbaach Contern/Hesperange Hesperange/Contern Contern/Hesperange Hesperange/Contern Contern/Hesperange Hesperange/Contern Contern/Hesperange Hesperange/Contern Track Culvert Contern/Hesperange Péttengerbaach Track Culvert Unnamed Brook Track Culvert Track Culvert Itzigerbaach
Bricherbaach	Syre
Gaardebaach	Trudlerbaach	‹ The template below (Gaardebaach) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. › v t e Gaardebaach Legend Key:- Footbridge Road bridge Gaardebesch Rue Paul Medinger Groundwater Sections Trudlerbaach

The Schleederbaach, sometimes referred to as the Millebaach, is a brook which flows from the Contern-Sandweiler industrial estate to just west of Moutfort where it meets the Syre. Historically the course of the Schleederbaach was different but was changed by the construction of the industrial zone.^[28][29]

Contern has 800 hectares of forests within its borders taking up around 37% of its land area.^[30]

As of 1 January 2023, the commune has a population of 4,374 inhabitants. Around 70% of the population are aged 15–65 and an estimated third of the commune's population consists of non-Luxembourgers, which is considerably higher than the national average. The town of Contern itself has a population of 1,876 as of 2024.^[3]

Records of the population of the commune have existed since shortly after its inception with the oldest dating back to 1821. Initially censuses and estimates were few, far between and irregular, however since 1983 statistics have been compiled annually.

Population of Contern 1821-1970^{[31][32][33][34]}

Year	Population					Population Density
	Overall	+/-
		Total	p.a	%	%p.a	/km2	/sq mi
1821	793	–	–	–	–	38.6	14.9
1843	1301	508	23.1	64.1	2.9	–	–
1851	1404	103	12.9	7.9	1.0	68.3	26.4
1871	1249	155	7.8	8.4	0.4	60.8	23.4
1880	1216	33	3.7	2.6	0.3	59.2	22.9
1890	1176	40	4	3.3	0.3	57.2	22.1
1900	1098	78	7.8	6.6	0.7	53.4	20.6
1910	1097	1	0.1			53.4	20.6
1922	1162	65	5.4	5.6	0.5	56.5	21.8
1930	1199	37	4.6	3.2	0.4	58.3	22.5
1935	1153	46	9.2	3.8	0.8	56.1	21.7
1947	1126	27	2.3	2.3	0.2	60.1	23.2
1960	1181	55	4.2	4.9	0.4	57.5	22.2
1970	1639	458	45.8	38.8	3.9	79.8	30.8

Population of Contern 1981-2021^[32][34]

Year	Population			Population Density
	Overall	+/-
		Total	%	/km2	/sq mi
1981	2203	–	–	107.2	41.4
1991	2568	365	16.6	125.0	48.3
2001	3082	514	20.0	150.0	57.9
2011	3419	337	10.9	166.4	64.3
2021	3968	549	16.1	193.1	74.6

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Since 2021, the population of the individual towns in the commune has been independently compiled:

In the 19th century much of the Census data concerning the populations of each individual locality was publicised:

Population by Nationality and Sex 2024^[41][50]

Country	Females	Males	Total
Luxembourg	1430	1375	2805
France	145	171	316
Portugal	98	115	213
Germany	83	59	142
Italy	58	64	122
Belgium	56	56	112
Romania	30	25	55
India	26	28	54
United Kingdom	22	29	51
Ireland	24	20	44
Greece	14	21	35
Sweden	16	17	33
Spain	15	17	32
Brazil	21	10	31
Ukraine	18	11	29
Russia	13	11	24
Netherlands	9	14	23
Bulgaria	11	11	22
China	12	5	17
Poland	10	7	17
Syria	9	8	17
USA	8	8	16
Turkiye	9	5	14
Cameroon	5	7	12
Morocco	10	2	12
Latvia	9	2	11
Denmark	4	6	10
Algeria	5	4	9
Bosnia & Herzegovina	3	6	9
Iceland	3	6	9
Lithuania	8	1	9
Philippines	7	2	9
South Africa	4	5	9
Finland	3	5	8
Mauritania	5	3	8
Serbia	4	4	8
Croatia	4	3	7
Albania	2	4	6
Colombia	5	1	6
Iraq	3	3	6
Mexico	2	4	6
Czechia	3	3	6
Thailand	6	0	6
Hungary	1	4	5
Israel	3	2	5
Slovenia	3	2	5
Switzerland	1	4	5
Cyprus	3	1	4
Austria	2	1	3
Guinea-Bissau	1	2	3
Guinea	2	1	3
North Macedonia	1	2	3
Malta	2	1	3
Montenegro	1	2	3
Nigeria	2	1	3
Senegal	3	0	3
Slovakia	3	0	3
Canada	0	2	2
Costa Rica	2	0	2
Estonia	1	1	2
Kazakhstan	2	0	2
Madagascar	2	0	2
Nepal	2	0	2
Sri Lanka	0	2	2
Togo	1	1	2
Argentina	1	0	1
Belarus	1	0	1
Burundi	0	1	1
Cambodia	0	1	1
Cape Verde	0	1	1
Chile	1	0	1
Taiwan	1	0	1
Congo	1	0	1
Cuba	1	0	1
× × €4.95 / month Favourites List Audio Listining Color Mode Monthly New Updates Fullname * Email * Credit or debit card Subscribe A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Undefined variable: userid Filename: user/popup_modal.php Line Number: 68 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_modal.php Line: 68 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 478 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once "> Subscribe Now × €4.95 € 9.90 / Modal title × Close Save changes × Contern" id="cancelSubscription" name="cancelSubscription" class="mb-0"> A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Undefined variable: user_membership Filename: user/popup_modal.php Line Number: 192 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_modal.php Line: 192 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 478 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Warning Message: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() Filename: user/popup_modal.php Line Number: 192 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_modal.php Line: 192 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 478 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Undefined variable: userid Filename: user/popup_modal.php Line Number: 208 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_modal.php Line: 208 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 478 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once "> Harry Potter Books × A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Notice Message: Undefined variable: products Filename: user/popup_harry_book.php Line Number: 24 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_harry_book.php Line: 24 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 479 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once A PHP Error was encountered Severity: Warning Message: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() Filename: user/popup_harry_book.php Line Number: 24 Backtrace: File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/user/popup_harry_book.php Line: 24 Function: _error_handler File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/views/page/index.php Line: 479 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/application/controllers/Main.php Line: 107 Function: view File: /var/www/wikizero/data/www/wikizero.com/index.php Line: 315 Function: require_once