Such was the allure of this palace, that when the ducal seat moved 36km north to Schwerin in 1837, some family members continued living here until 1945. Now part of the Schwerin State Museum, its high point is the stately, gilt-columned, high-ceilinged Golden Hall . After lavish renovations, the East Wing is set to reopen in 2016.
A planned baroque town, Ludwigslust showcases a neat, orderly layout that is an attraction in itself.
Trains run from Schwerin every two hours (€9, one hour).