Visiting the province of Liège: what are the best things to see and do in this emblematic region of Belgium?
With the vacations just around the corner, you’d like to discover an iconic European destination? Why not take a stroll through Liège, « the city of a hundred steeples », in eastern Wallonia, Belgium?
This pretty medieval city is home to numerous tourist attractions and heritage treasures. Culture also plays an important role, with a large number of museums. The province of Liège is one of the country’s ten provinces and is home to a million inhabitants.
It shares borders with Luxembourg, Flanders,Germany and the Netherlands. It’s easy to see why this region is so attractive on a European scale!
Wondering what to do in the province of Liège once you arrive? Generation Voyage has selected the must-do activities in the province of Liège. Follow the guide!
1. La Boverie park and museum
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Erik AJV
Parc de la Boverie is a park in the city of Liège on the banks of the Meuse, the local river. This beautiful park attracts many visitors and is a must-see in the province of Liège.
Here you can visit the splendid Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain and the Cabinet des Estampes et des Dessins. The latter are housed in the famous Musée de la Boverie, and feature a wealth of works, each more original than the last.
Nautical clubs, a hotel and the Palais des Congrès de Liège, as well as famous statues, steles and monuments, are also not to be missed. The Cybernetic Tower, an extraordinarily complex sculpture by Nicolas Schöffer, is also well worth a visit.
Originally, it interacted with the public at the Palais des Congrès thanks to an advanced artificial intelligence system. The tower is now part of the Walloon region’s exceptional heritage.
2. Royal Opera of Wallonia
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mali lucky
What to do in the province of Liège when you’re looking for an unforgettable cultural outing? Head straight for one of this city’s most charming splendors: the Opéra Royal de Wallonie. Located on the Place de l’Opéra in the heart of Liège, it is one of the kingdom’s three great opera houses.
The Opéra Royal de Wallonie has occupied the Théâtre Royal in Liège since 1820. Equipped with modern stage machinery, it is nothing less than one of the most modern theaters in the world!
If you decide to visit, you can’t help but admire the impressive Italian-style auditorium, which can seat over a thousand people. The Royal Opera House is also open to the world, hosting conferences, musical brunches and parties of all kinds.
3. Liège’s Saint-Paul cathedral
Photo credit: flickr – Ton Nolles
What a beauty! St. Paul’s Cathedral is a jewel to visit in the province of Liège. This splendid Gothic edifice is visited by tourists from all over the world. It’s one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, and one of the best restored too.
Comprising three gigantic, slender naves, it’s the perfect place to admire superb 16th-century foliage. Works of art bordering on the sublime are preciously housed in this mythical and mystical place. Take a look at this beautiful 19th-century pulpit: isn’t it fabulous?
The visit also includes authentic treasures such as the reliquary of Charles the Bold. Made of gold, enamel and vermeil, it was presented to him in 1471 and depicts him in the company of Saint George.
4. The Brunsode estate
Photo credit: Facebook – Réminiscence
The Brunsode estate is a stunning public park surrounding the château of the same name. This 17th-century edifice is best known for its lush green expanse, where visitors come to soak up the sun on hot summer days.
The site is remarkable in every way, and is ideal for organizing a bucolic stroll… with your other half, for example? Alternatively, visit the tourist office to consult the calendar of events, festivals, exhibitions and other activities that take place here on a regular basis.
Our advice: opt for mid-season, in spring or autumn. It’s less crowded and, above all, the colors of nature are unbelievably beautiful.
5. Castles in the province of Liège
Photo credit: Shutterstock – jularlak Ka
Waroux
Château de Waroux in the pretty town of Ans. This listed site hosts art exhibitions, cultural events and historical battle re-enactments. A heritage gem to visit in the province of Liège.
Wégimont
This imposing Mosan Renaissance-style fort is set in 22 hectares of wooded parkland.
This beautiful provincial estate is distinguished by its elegant forms and open-air swimming pool.
Chokier
Flémalle, in the province of Liège, can be recognized by its rocky promontory (rare in the flat country). The Château de Chokier overlooks this promontory and dominates the Meuse valley. Come and admire it if you happen to be in this pretty corner of Wallonia!
6. Sacred Heart Church, Cointe
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mali lucky
The Sacré-Coeur church is located high above Liège in the hamlet of Cointe. The reason we mention it is that it is internationally renowned for its atypical architecture. Massive, it can be spotted from afar when visiting the province of Liège.
This monumental building is part of the Mémorial Interallié. And what a sight it is! This holy place houses treasures of Liège’s heritage. Of particular note are the statues of two saints: Saint Maur and… Saint Mort.
The latter is the saint of the town of Cointe. Take advantage of your visit to explore the fantastic hillside district of Cointe, a veritable bubble of greenery in the middle of the city of Liège.
7. Natagora’s privateer island
Photo credit: Facebook – Daisy Demoor
L’île aux corsaires is located in Angleur, a historic district of the beautiful city of Liège. Occupying a central position between the Ourthe River and the Ourthe Canal, it includes a nature reserve.
This former industrial site has been classified as a Natura 2000 site. The reason? The site is heavily contaminated by the zinc used by the workers. As a result, calamine lawns (grasses growing on soil contaminated with heavy metals) have sprung up.
Since then, Île aux corsaires has become a popular tourist attraction. Oh, and one last thing: no pirates have ever boarded here. The island is said to have been named « Île aux Corsaires » in memory of the children who played pirates there. Quite simply!
8. The Plant World Observatory
Photo credit: Facebook – Observatoire du Monde des Plantes
What we’re about to present to you is one of our favorites. 4 different greenhouses The Observatoire du monde des plantes is a site of the University of Liège. Its four greenhouses are the jewels of the Sart-Tilman university estate.
If it’s one of the must-visit sites in the province of Liège, it’s for its formidable reconstitution of biotopes from the four corners of the globe. A temperate greenhouse, a Mediterranean climate greenhouse, a tropical greenhouse and a desert climate greenhouse are presented.
Visitors come to contemplate exceptional plant formations and attend themed workshops. The public has the chance to admire sumptuous species… without having to travel thousands of kilometers. Come and see for yourself!
9. Museums of the Province of Liège
Photo credit: Shutterstock – AnnDcs
The Tchantchès Museum
The Tchantchès d’Outremeuse museum, founded in 1947, presents puppet shows. Tchantchès is one of them: like the French Guignol, it is an emblematic character of Flemish folklore.
The Museum of Public Transport
What to do in the province of Liège when you’re planning a fun cultural outing? Visit the Musée des Transports en Commun! Dedicated to old streetcars, trolleybuses and buses, it traces the history of the city’s public transport system. Pa-ssio-nnant!
The Museum of Walloon Life
Founded in 1913, this ethnology museum of the Walloon region offers original collections on Wallonia and its inhabitants. Focusing mainly on the contemporary period, visitors can discover the region’s astonishing folk heritage.
10. The Mirror City
Photo credit: Facebook – La Cité Miroir
Visiting the province of Liège without discovering the Mirror City? Can’t you just imagine? In January 2014, the former Bains et Thermes de la Sauvenière became La Cité Miroir.
What’s it all about? An artistic, cultural and civic space in the heart of Liège. Spanning almost 13,000m², this gigantic Bauhaus-style building is impressive as soon as you get close to it.
Conferences, theater, debates, temporary and permanent exhibitions await you. The Cité Miroir is at the heart of citizenship: come and see for yourself!
11. La Batte market
Photo credit: Facebook – Marchés de Liège
The Marché de la Batte is one of the main markets in the province of Liège. Located in the province, it takes place every Sunday along the left bank of the Meuse. Believed to have been established as long ago as the 16th century, it’s easy to see why it’s one of Europe’s biggest!
Millions of visitors choose to (re)discover this splendid market during their visit to the Walloon gem. A good half-day is essential to discover the entire market. Antiques, second-hand goods, cultural products, typical foodstuffs, animals…
And above all, the succulent French fries and beer stalls. The picturesque Bat Market will appeal to young and old alike.
12. Archaeoforum
Photo credit: Facebook – Archéoforum de Liège
What to visit in the province of Liège for an immersive cultural getaway? Liège’s Archéoforum, in the historic heart of the city, is a must-see.
Spanning some 3,725m², the Archéoforum retraces the history of the region through themed tours. From prehistoric artifacts and Mesolithic dwellings to centuries-old cathedrals and modern remains, this is one of the most visited sites in the region.
Our advice? Go in the morning or at the end of the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
13. Blegny-Mine
Photo credit: Facebook – Blegny-Mine Officiel
This museum, dedicated to the region’s iconic mining industry, is housed in a former coal mine. There are lectures and tours of the spectacular mine corridors.
In the elevator (the famous « cages » that took the miners to their posts), the atmosphere is steeped in history. You’ll plunge into the rich bowels of the Liège earth at depths of between -30 and -60 meters.
The tour takes you on a journey through the processing of painstakingly mined ores. Absolutely fascinating!
14. Fort Aventure & Events
Photo credit: Facebook – Fort Aventure & Events
Relaxing with the kids on a summer’s afternoon: okay, but where? Try the Fort Aventure de Chaudfontaine, packed with fun activities.
In addition to the playrooms, there are plenty of 3D mazes, zip lines and educational workshops to keep the little ones occupied.
Adults will appreciate the breathtaking view over the city of Liège. Chaudfontaine is also home to some lovely thermal springs. Are you tempted?
How do I get to Liège province?
Although Liège has its own airport, it won’t get you into the provinces. We therefore advise you to use the airports of Brussels and Charleroi. You’ll also be able to find lower-cost flights on an online flight comparator such as Skyscanner. Fast and practical, this platform will enable you to meet your various criteria.
Once on terra firma, you’ll find that the province of Liège is served by a dense network of public transport. Alternatively, you can rent a car to get around freely. There are a number of rental agencies on the spot.
There’s also a very practical way of getting to Liège and the surrounding province: by train. Liège is served by high-speed lines such as the Thalys (from Paris).
Where to stay in the province of Liège?
When you’re looking for what to do in the province of Liège, you also need to look for accommodation. If you decide to opt for the cosy charm of a comfortable hotel or an Airbnb, Liège is obviously where you’ll have access to the largest offer.
The budget is quite high whatever the season of your trip to this city so popular with European tourists. To find the offer that suits you best, don’t hesitate to use a hotel comparator.
For other types of accommodation, we recommend that you opt for a smaller community. Limbourg, for example! This village is one of the most beautiful in the Walloon region. Perched on a rocky outcrop, you’ll find authentic gîtes and apartments.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Liège,be