Liege is the fourth largest city in Belgium and the capital of the province Liege. It is the principal economic and cultural center of Wallonia, the French region in Belgium. The city is located in the valley of the Meuse River, near the eastern borders with the Netherlands and Germany. It has a population of almost 200 thousand people and has the nickname “La Cité ardente” or The Fierce City.
Liege is mostly an industrial city with iron and steel industry. Most tourists will tell you that Liege is a place to love or hate, because of its industrial character. Nowadays it is developed into a city where old meets new. The center of Liege is a mix of historic town center and beautiful private houses with a new elegant town with wide boulevards, tall apartment buildings and a few parks. The new modern part of the city situates around the central Saint Lambert square. The center has traffic-free alleys and shopping streets.
Heart of the city is the Palace of the Prince-Bishops and the large Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame and Saint Lambert. Liege has a large city museum with great medieval religious art. For people who love Mosan style, the Curtius Museum is a must. You will get the best view over the city when climbing The Mountain of Bueren and the slopes of the Citadel. Liege is also the birthplace of Georges Simenon, writer of the police detective Maigret. The local specialty is the Waffle of Liege, so try to taste one, the waffles are sold in every bakery.
Travelers to Liege need a valid passport and return ticket. A visa is not required for stays up to 90 days. The people of Liege don’t speak English that well, so it is wise to pick up a few French lines. The best time to visit Liege is in the summer months July and August. Liege is a real university city with lots of students studying here.