Sunday in Liège from Brussels: La Batte and Bueren

The plan

The day at a glance

Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.

08:15
Leave Brussels 1 h by train
intercity to Liège-Guillemins
15 min by tram · from Guillemins to the centre
09:45 1
The La Batte market, on Sundays beside the Meuse
from 8:00 to 14:30; hot Liège waffle
10 min on foot
11:15 2
The Prince-Bishops' Palace and the Place Saint-Lambert
the first courtyard, free
10 min on foot
12:15 3
Le Bistrot d'en Face
boulets €19.50 · Bib Gourmand menu €38 · book

Rue de la Goffe 8-10, 4000 Liège · +32 4 223 15 84

Restaurant €€
Book
8 min on foot
14:00 4
The Montagne de Bueren, 374 steps above Liège
374 steps, free
5 min on foot
14:45 5
The Coteaux de la Citadelle, the green lung above the old town
terraces and viewpoints; descent along the rue Pierreuse
10 min on foot
16:00 6
The Museum of Walloon Life and its puppet theatre
€7 · puppet theatre · until 18:00
15 min by tram
17:45 7
Liège-Guillemins station, by Santiago Calatrava
Calatrava's vault before the train
18:15
Back home 1 h by train
in Brussels around 19:15

Approximate cost About €20–35 per person

Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.

The route

The La Batte market, on Sundays beside the Meuse

Liège is best understood on a Sunday. In the morning, the Meuse quays fill with La Batte, the largest and oldest market in Belgium; at midday, the Liégeois eat boulets; in the afternoon, the city climbs its stairs. This plan is by train and on foot, with a tram at the start and the end.

The day, hour by hour

8:15 · Train to Liège. About an hour to Guillemins and a tram to the centre.

9:45 · La Batte market. Fruit, cheeses, flowers and books along the quay. Have a hot Liège waffle for breakfast.

11:15 · The Palace of the Prince-Bishops. The great Gothic palace on the place Saint-Lambert, today a law court.

12:15 · Lunch at Le Bistrot d'en Face. Behind La Batte, with a Bib Gourmand: boulets à la liégeoise with home-made compote, €19.50. Book.

14:00 · The Montagne de Bueren. 374 straight steps up to the viewpoint.

14:45 · The Coteaux de la Citadelle. Orchards, terraces and views; go down the rue Pierreuse.

16:00 · The Museum of Walloon Life. Wallonia of the last two centuries and its puppet theatre, €7.

17:45 · Guillemins. Tram to the Calatrava station and train back.

Time1 h 30

The stalls of the La Batte market along the Meuse quay

DimiTalen · CC0

Change the route

With young children, if it rains or if you fancy something else: another stop that fits the same day.

The Curtius palace, of red brick and stone, on the banks of the Meuse in Liège

Instead of Walloon Life, if you prefer weapons and Meuse art (free under 26): The Grand Curtius, 7,000 years of art and history beside the MeuseMuseum · 2 h · €9 · free under 26 · weapons, Mosan art and decorative arts · closed Tuesdays

A little house beside the glass in the La Boverie park, next to the new bridge

If you are interested in painting: from Ingres to Picasso, next to Guillemins: La Boverie, the fine arts museum in the parkMuseum · 1 h 30 · €5 the collection · free under 26 and on the first Sunday of the month · closed Mondays

Where to eat

Where to eat?

Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.

Le Bistrot d'en Face

Restaurant · Liège · old town · €€€€

What to order: the boulets à la liégeoise in a black casserole with home-made compote, or the €38 Bib Gourmand lunchtime menu

Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday evening · closed Monday and Tuesday

A meat dish with sauces and garnishes against a black background

Caudalie

Restaurant · Liège · centre · €€€€

What to order: the tasting menu with wine pairing

Open Wednesday to Sunday evenings and Friday lunchtime · dogs not allowed

Map

The stops, in order

With where to park at each one.

What to do Eat 88 €Stay Services

Getting there

By car or without one?

Without a car

Train to Liège-Guillemins and tram or bus to the centre; the rest on foot.

By car

An hour and a quarter along the E40. Park in a car park in the centre; on Sundays the La Batte area fills up.

When to go

When to go to Liège

It is a Sunday plan: La Batte is only set up that day, from 8:00 to 14:30, and Le Bistrot d'en Face is open on Sunday lunchtime. On the first Sunday of the month, the Museum of Walloon Life collection is free.

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Best timeGood timeLow season