Liege

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I've passed through Liege a few times on the train either en route to Germany or to Brussels or Paris, had to transfer at one of its train stations one time. But, as of yet, I've never visited the city. That boat ride on the Meuse would interest me.

In all the years I've been on these forums that is the first positive commentary - almost a chamber of commerce ad - I've seen for Liege.

Francella_Shelley, since this is your very first post here, welcome to our little family.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Do you live in Liege? How did you come across it, since it is fairly far off the usual tourist radar?

Nigel, thanks for the warm welcome! I live in the US, in Maryland. I spent a few happy days in Liege in 2013 to attend a wedding. I loved every minute of the visit.
Until recently, life circumstances and professional responsibilities have limited my ability to travel, but I am now less constrained in that regard and am cooking up some adventures for myself in the months and years ahead.
I like this forum very much and have enjoyed the brilliant insights. For now, I will mainly learn and observe. Cheers!

Hi Fred, The Liege train station actually is a beauty and even has a pretty decent restaurant. Next time you're passing through you should stop by for a quick layover. I think you might enjoy it.
Best, Shelley

@ Francella....I may have been at the Liege train station at most twice to change trains, waiting only on the platform, did not have enough time to explore the station, which is usually done when I have some time. But I did see the Meuse only from afar as the train passed through the city. Maybe next time I can visit Liege as a day trip.

Just adding my 2 cents worth, haven't posted in several years, hope I'm not violating any rules by discussing travel through Liege. Spent the night in Spa, Belgium, and passed through Liege in the middle of a car race in Feb. of 2009, on our way to Bastogne to visit WWII sites. Snow everywhere, wonderful area by car if you have GPS.

Speaking of racing, Liege is well known among cycling fans for the annual Liege-Bastogne-Liege one day race, a "spring classic" and one of the Monuments of cycling, that takes place in April. About 250 km in length, ouch.

Liege was also famous in the old centuries for its carved wooden furniture. Museum Curtius is famous for this
The Old Palace of the Princes Bishops is also worth seeing.
Spa is a wonderful water town, where you can experience fantastic spas ( that's where it was invented).

All right, I'm going to give a dissenting opinion on Liege. Been there many times, and I often used the train station to transfer to Hasselt. Yes, the station is impressive, but that's about all that impressed me of the city. It may have a long history, but most of the city was heavily rebuilt in a drab post-war style. De-industrialization hasn't hit quite as hard as Mons and Charleroi, but neither did the city escape either.

The only justification I can find for visiting is using it as a springboard for the Ardennes. Otherwise, your valuable vacation time is best spent elsewhere.

Tom,

I think you should go with people from Liege to visit it and only then will you know what the city is about.
Go to early morning markets and go and eat a casse-croûte liégeois. Talk to people and you will make friends for ever.

Spa is also known for its renowned Spa Francorchamps F1 car race.

I think you should go with people from Liege to visit it and only then will you know what the city is about.

I did. I attended a Dutch language course in Spa, and afterwards, I spend a night out on the town in Liege with two of the other students and one of the instructors who were from there. I had a good time, but sorry, it didn't change my opinion of the city.

@ francella...There are a several places in Belgium worthy of my attention and time, just a matter of priorities in terms of history and setting them for visiting Belgium. .Liege is a curiosity , now that I know one can do a boat ride on the Meuse, along with Spa, Mons, Dinant, Charleroi, Namur, Brussels, etc.