Visting Liège
If you enjoy visiting cities juxtaposed with their surroundings, then Liège should be high on your list. An industrial town that is steeped in culture it is considered the capital of the lucious green Ardennes region.
Liège sits at the crossroads to an important motorway network linking Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. However this city shouldn't be overlooked to reach the bigger locations. When you walk through the city, feeling small between the looming buildings, you’ll see why it is an unexpected treasure.
What to See in Liège
Do you dare climb all the way to the top of Mountain of Bueren?
Montagne de Bueren
An uphill battle in more ways than one, the Montagne de Bueren is a staircase of 374 steps, sandwiched between the city’s buildings. The staircase was built in 1881 as a means to get Liège’s soldiers from the hilltop to the centre of the city without having to walk past bars and various other illicit properties. For anyone interested in the military history of the city, or who just want to put their legs to the test, it’s a must see.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Liège
Like we said, you need to be within the city to discover its culture. On the outside, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Liège doesn’t look like an art galley, but it actually houses some of the finest pieces of art by French-speaking Belgian artists. Regardless of whether you prefer a particular school of art, or are a novice looking for an overview of the developments in the Belgian art scene, this is the gallery for you.
Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew
Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew amongst the cityscape of Liege.
Liège is certainly the city of juxtaposition. Although the outside off Musée des Beaux-Arts de Liège is not as seems, the Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew is the complete opposite. Painted in a bright red and white design in the traditional Mosan style of the area, it is considered one of the seven wonders of Belgium.
Festival Outremeuse
If you’re visiting in the summer, we recommend joining in the celebrations of Festival Outremeuse. The celebration ends in a joyous occasion in mid-August, where everyone drinks the local gin pékèt, joins in traditional dances, and reads sermons in a Walloon dialect. Look out for puppets, firecrackers, and the procession of giants.
What to Eat in Liège
A Liège waffle still warm from the oven is a treat we could all do with more of.
Boulet à la Liégeoise
Translated to English, it’s a dish of meatballs and fries in a rabbit sauce. But don’t panic, it’s not made from real rabbit; the dish was created by Géraldine Lapin, and so is named after her. It’s a rich sweet and sour sauce covering hearty meatballs, and as it’s Belgium, they can’t forget the frites.
Liège Waffle
Another classic dish from Liège is their waffles. Belgium invented the waffle, but Liège went the extra mile by adding sugar crystals to theirs. You won’t have to look too far to find these dreamy waffles, as many market stalls and cafes sell them. Smaller and sweeter than the traditional Belgian waffle, they can be eaten as an afternoon snack, held in the hand.
Where to Drink in Liège
Place du Marché
Place du Marché in the centre of the city is where locals come together.
This square is not only home to city hall and iconic fountains, but also a huge variety of bars. At night, the Place du Marché comes alive, with people having a quick drink before dinner, and those wanting to make a night of it. On a warm summer’s night, sitting out on the square with a Belgian beer is a real treat.
Where to Stay in Liège
Amosa
There’s no better place to stay than in an achingly cool hotel, right in the heart of the city. Amosa takes the industrial look of Liège and stylishly uses it to create a unique hotel. Amongst the shining chrome and exposed pipes are 18 comfortable guestrooms, with the main sites of Liège only a short walk away. There is parking nearby too, so perfect for those driving through Europe.
Weather in Liège
The weather in Liège is similar to the UK, with the warmest months being July and August, where the temperatures reach an average of 22.7°C. January is the coldest month, with an average of just 5.0°C. We would recommend bringing a raincoat, just in case, and a lightweight jacket for the summer months, as the warmer temperatures aren’t guaranteed.
Getting there and around:
From our Calais terminal to Liège, it’s just under three hours’ drive. You simply take the A16 and E40 to to Jardin Jean-Bernard Lejeune/N607 in Liège. Then continue your journey to your first destination.
There are plenty of parking spaces around Liège, with some parking spots being free. The free parking spots are located at Place du Parc, Colruyt, Carrefour and Delhaize (but the last three are for cusomters only).
The free spaces tend to get filled up quickly, but it’s only about €3-€4 for two hours elsewhere.
It won’t take you long to start exploring the unique city of Liège. It’s only 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, so start planning your break away!