Liège, Belgium

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Liège, Belgium

Region: Liège


Geographic Coordinates: 50.639700, 5.570600
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold in winter, mild in spring and autumn, and warm in summer with occasional rain throughout the year.
Population: 196623
Language: French

Liège is a vibrant city located in the French-speaking region of Wallonia, Belgium. It is situated on the banks of the Meuse River and is known for its rich history, Cultural heritage, And culinary delights. The city has a population of around 200, 000 people and is home to several famous landmarks. One of the most notable landmarks in Liège is the Prince-Bishops’ Palace. This magnificent building dates back to the 16th century and was once home to powerful bishops who ruled over Liège for centuries.

Today, It serves as a museum where visitors can learn about the history of Liège and admire its impressive architecture. Another must-see attraction in Liège is Saint Paul’s Cathedral. This stunning Gothic cathedral was built in the 13th century and features intricate stained glass windows, Beautiful sculptures, And an impressive organ that dates back to 1534. Liège also has several museums that are worth visiting. The Grand Curtius Museum houses an extensive collection of art and artifacts from different periods in history while La Boverie Museum showcases contemporary art exhibitions from around the world.

Foodies will love exploring Liège’s culinary scene which boasts some delicious local specialties such as boulets à la liégeoise (meatballs served with fries), Gaufres de liége (Belgian waffles), And peket (a local gin-like liquor). There are plenty of cafes, Restaurants, And street food vendors throughout the city where visitors can sample these tasty treats.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities or simply want to relax amidst nature’s beauty can visit Parc de la Boverie located on an island between two branches of Meuse River which offers walking trails through gardens with fountains & sculptures plus boat rides & playgrounds at weekends during summer months or take a stroll along Quai de la Batte which offers picturesque views along with shops selling fresh produce like cheese & vegetables. Liège is a city with a rich cultural heritage and plenty of attractions to explore.

From its stunning landmarks to its delicious cuisine, There is something for everyone in this charming Belgian city. Whether you’re interested in history, Art, Or simply want to relax and enjoy the local scenery, Liège is definitely worth a visit.



Important Landmarks

  1. Liège Cathedral
  2. Montagne de Bueren
  3. Curtius Museum
  4. Grand Curtius
  5. Perron Monument
  6. Place Saint-Lambert
  7. La Batte Market
  8. Aquarium-Museum of Liège
  9. The Citadel of Liège
  10. Saint Paul’s Church

Primary Industries

  1. Steel Industry: Liège is renowned for its steel industry and has several steel companies such as ArcelorMittal, Cockerill Maintenance & Ingénierie, and Duferco.
  2. Aerospace Industry: The aerospace industry is another significant sector in Liège with companies like Safran Aero Boosters, Sonaca, and Techspace Aero.
  3. Chemical Industry: The city has a thriving chemical industry with companies such as Solvay, Prayon, and Chemours.
  4. Logistics: Due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe’s major trade routes, Liège has developed into an important logistics hub with several logistics companies like DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne + Nagel, and DB Schenker.
  5. Healthcare Sector: The healthcare sector is also growing rapidly in Liège with companies such as Mithra Pharmaceuticals and Eurogentec specializing in biotechnology research.
  6. Creative Industries: The city has a vibrant creative scene with many design agencies such as Creneau International and graphic design studios like Les Graphiquants.
  7. Food Processing Industry: Finally, food processing is another significant industry in Liège with several large food processing plants including Nestle Waters Belgium SA/NV (Bottling Plant) located there.

Noteable History

  1. The Battle of Liège: In August 1914, during World War I, the city of Liège was the site of a major battle between German and Belgian forces. The Belgian army held off the Germans for several days before eventually being defeated.
  2. Charlemagne: The famous Frankish king and Holy Roman Emperor was born in nearby Aachen (now in Germany), but spent much of his time in Liège, which was an important center of his empire.
  3. André Grétry: This 18th-century composer was born in Liège and went on to become one of the most famous musicians of his time.
  4. Jacques Brel: This legendary singer-songwriter grew up in Brussels but had strong ties to Liège, where he performed many times throughout his career.
  5. John Cockerill: This British-born industrialist played a key role in developing Belgium’s steel industry during the 19th century and built several factories in and around Liège.
  6. Prince-Bishopric of Liège: For centuries, from the Middle Ages until the French Revolution, Liège was ruled by prince-bishops who wielded both secular and religious power over their subjects.
  7. Les Ardentes Festival: This annual music festival has been held in Liege since 2006 and attracts thousands of visitors each year with its lineup featuring popular international acts as well as local talent.
  8. Guillaume de Machaut: He is considered one of France’s greatest medieval poets who lived between c1300-1377 AD who also served as canon at St Martin’s Church (now St Paul’s)in Liege for some years towards end-of-life period.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Grand Curtius Museum is a museum that showcases decorative arts, archaeology, and religious art.
  2. La Boverie is an art museum with a collection of modern and contemporary art.
  3. Saint Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral with Gothic architecture.
  4. The Aquarium-Museum displays aquatic life from around the world in an aquarium setting.
  5. Montagne de Bueren is a historic staircase with 374 steps leading up to the Citadel of Liège.
  6. Musée de la Vie wallonne (Walloon Life Museum) showcases the history and culture of Wallonia region in Belgium.
  7. The Perron Fountain symbolizes Liège’s independence and freedom.
  8. Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne (Champagne Houses) are popular for wine tasting tours.
  9. Archéoforum de Liège (Archaeological Forum) exhibits archaeological findings from Roman times till present day.
  10. Musée Tchantchès (Tchantchès Puppet Museum) displays traditional puppet shows that are famous in Wallonia region of Belgium.


Sports Teams

  1. Standard Liège Football Club was founded in 1898 and is one of the most successful football clubs in Belgium with 10 Belgian First Division titles and 7 Belgian Cups. The team has also had success in European competitions, reaching the final of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1982.

  2. Liège Basket Club is a professional basketball team founded in 1950 that plays in the Belgian Basketball League. The team has won three Belgian Cups and one Belgian Supercup.

  3. Royal Othée Football Club was founded in 1922 and is a football club located just outside of Liège. The team currently plays in the Belgian Provincial Leagues.

  4. RFC de Liège was founded in 1892 and is another historic football club from the city that has won two Belgian First Division titles and two Belgian Cups.

  5. RBC Seraing United, formerly known as Royale Union Seraing, merged with RFC Sérésien to form Royale Union Saint-Gilloise-Seraing before being renamed again to its current name after merging with CS Visé on June 30th,2017. Their home venue is Stade du Pairay which can hold up to almost twelve thousand spectators at once, and they play their matches wearing blue kits with white shorts and socks.



Cultural Events

  1. Les Fêtes de Wallonie is a renowned festival in Liège that honors the culture and traditions of the Walloon region. It occurs in September and includes parades, music, dancing, food, and drink.
  2. The Christmas Market is open from late November to early January and features festive stalls selling crafts, gifts, food, and drinks.
  3. La Batte Market is one of Europe’s largest open-air markets that takes place every Sunday morning along the Meuse riverbank.
  4. The International Jazz Festival happens in March and attracts jazz enthusiasts from all over Europe to hear performances by international artists.
  5. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège performs throughout the year at various venues across the city.
  6. Liège has several beer festivals throughout the year including Bière en Fête which celebrates Belgian beer culture with live music, food stalls, and beer tastings.
  7. La Nuit des Coteaux de la Citadelle takes place in June each year where participants take an evening walk through historic hillside vineyards surrounding Liège’s citadel accompanied by wine tasting sessions along the way.
  8. Les Ardentes Festival is a four-day music festival held annually in July featuring a mix of rock, pop, hip hop & electronic acts performing on multiple stages around Parc Astrid just outside Liege city center.

Cuisine

  • Boulets à la Liégeoise: A dish consisting of meatballs cooked in a sweet and sour sauce, served with fries. It is a specialty of the region.
  • Café Lequet: A traditional brasserie that has been around since 1882, known for its hearty Belgian cuisine and beer selection.
  • Gaufres de Liège: Liege-style waffles made with pearl sugar that caramelizes when cooked, creating a crispy exterior and soft interior.
  • La Cantine de Félix: A trendy restaurant serving modern French-Belgian cuisine using fresh local ingredients.
  • Les Fous de la Brabançonne: A cozy bistro specializing in homemade dishes such as rabbit stew and beef carbonnade.
  • Luikse Markt: A covered food market offering a variety of local specialties including cheese, charcuterie, breads, chocolates and more.
  • Maison Massin: An artisanal butcher shop offering high-quality meats such as dry-aged beef and pork from the Ardennes region.
  • Taverne du Mont Saint-Martin: An old-fashioned tavern serving classic Belgian fare like moules-frites (mussels with fries) and croquettes aux crevettes (shrimp croquettes).
  • Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette!: A small shop selling freshly-made Liege-style waffles topped with various sweet or savory toppings like Nutella or ham and cheese.
  • Würst Bar & Kitchen Liège: The famous Belgian chef Jeroen Meus’ restaurant chain specializing in gourmet hot dogs made with quality ingredients like artisanal sausages from local butchers’ shops.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Parc de la Boverie is a large public park located on an island in the Meuse river. It features a museum, a sculpture garden, and walking paths.
    2. Montagne de Bueren is a historic staircase with 374 steps leading up to a panoramic view of the city.
    3. Citadel of Liège is a fortress built in the 19th century that offers guided tours and scenic views of the city.
    4. La Batte Market is the largest outdoor market in Belgium, held every Sunday along the banks of the Meuse river.
    5. Parc des Oblats is a small park with walking paths and a playground near Saint-Paul Cathedral.
    6. Les Coteaux de la Citadelle is a network of trails for hiking and biking through forests and hills surrounding the Citadel.
    7. Musée Grétry is a museum dedicated to André Grétry, a famous composer born in Liège.
    8. Aquarium-Museum Liège showcases aquatic life from around the world, as well as exhibits on geology and natural history.
    9. Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Sclessin) serves as home stadium for Standard Liège football club; it offers tours and events throughout the year.
    10. Maison de la Science (House of Science) An interactive science museum with exhibits on physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy & more for all ages to enjoy!

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