What began in 2018 as my bachelor’s thesis in Communication Design grew into a deeply personal project: a book telling the story of our family hotel, Hôtel des Nations, in Clervaux, Luxembourg. Originally opened as a small café opposite the train station in 1865, the hotel remained in our family for 154 years, spanning five generations. In 2019, my decision not to continue the family tradition marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter: preserving the memories, stories and history of a place that meant so much to my family and the region. The book is a visual archive, a personal narrative and a historical document. Beyond the history of a hotel, it explores family, hospitality and the gradual disappearance of small, family-run businesses. Above all, it is a tribute to the people who shaped this place, particularly the strong women who kept it alive across generations. In spring 2025, I took a four-month sabbatical to fully dedicate myself to researching, writing and developing the publication. The book was designed in close collaboration with Studio Polenta in Luxembourg and published in 2025 by Point Nemo Publishing. The official book launch took place in November 2025 in Clervaux, bringing the story back to where it all began.
