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Liege Travel Guide, Belgium

Liege Travel-guide – Position and Demographics

Liege is the administrative capital of the province with the same name, one of the most important cities in Belgium being situated in Wallonia region. It is the second most populous city in Wallonia and the third one for the same reasons in Belgium after Brussels and Antwerp. It is also located in the valley of the Meuse River in the eastern part of the country.

Its etymology refers to the German language as “leod” which means people. Its almost 200.000 inhabitants and 750.000 in the surrounding area are predominantly French-speakers. It is also a major educational centre in Belgium with a large University and more than 24 schools.

Liege Travel-guide – Economy and Transport

As other cities in Belgium, Liege was a major industrial centre thanks to its developed iron and steel industries and the largest industrial complex in the world called Serainq.

The steel production and manufacture, the arms industry, the production of water, beer and chocolate, the information technology and many others still contribute to an entire process of economical development of the city.

Liege Travel-guide must also include issues on transport as the city is considered the third largest river port in Europe which helps and improves trade. Liege Airport is among the 10 most important cargo airports in Europe while the railway transport system establishes important connections with the main cities in Belgium and across the borders, with Luxembourg, Netherlands, France and Germany (Bonn is only 90 miles away)

Liege was also connected to a 7 branches highway network, a major asset for the national and international traffic.

Liege Travel-guide – Traditions, Festivals and Shopping

One of the biggest folk festivals is considered to be “Le Quinze Aout” celebrating Virgin Mary on August 15th every year. Nowadays it was transformed in a party that lasts more than one day and consists, besides the religious procession, of dances, concerts, popular games and a flea market that takes place in a quarter called “Outre Meuse”. A traditional local alcohol called “peket” is served on this occasion which is related to an important folk character named “Tchantches”, a Walloon boy whose appearance is taken by puppets, a statue or it is also placed in a museum to mark its importance for the locals.

Around the 6th December students of the University of Liege organize “The Saint Nicholas” Festival”, when for just one day you are allowed to beg for money to be able to buy and drink alcohol.

The oldest and the most colorful street market in Europe is considered to be “The Batte Market” that takes place outside, along 1.5 km of the river Meuse quays gathering locals and tourists mainly from the countries around Belgium. You can find and buy anything you like from clothes, food and drinks, to household things, exotic birds and fishes, domestic animals, old books and many others for you to take back home at least a souvenir that will remind you of this unique Sunday market.

When talking about Liege Travel-guide, one should not miss the fact that classical cycle races take place every spring in the cities of Liege and Bastogne. When referring to cycling one should also add the fact that Liege is the only city in Europe that hosted stages of all three cycling Grand Tours.

Another tradition of the city might be considered a “madmen” party held on the streets of Liege with a parade on September St that requires you to be dressed in outrageous costumes if you want to take part. There are also a crafts and food market, open-air concerts and many interesting attractions for children.

The biggest Christmas Market in Belgium is also organized in the center of Liege and at Place du Marche situated in the neighborhood. All sorts of things can be bought here too, from gastronomic goodies and local chocolate delicacies to Christmas decorations and hand-crafted gifts, all lye in front of your eyes ready to be bought.

There are some other places where you can do your shopping such as: Kopatropa,, a teen fashion store, the supermarket GB Express, a French-based store called FNAC where mainly electronics are sold or the Jacques Galler's chocolate factory, the land of the most appreciated Liege chocolate delicacies.

Having so many traditions, festivals and shopping places, Liege invites everybody to pay it a visit, to be charmed and wonderfully surprised all the way.

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