Aquarium-Muséum

About the museum

The collections of the Aquarium-Muséum date back to the founding of the University of Liège in 1817, when King William I required the establishment of a cabinet of zoology and comparative anatomy. Specimens accumulated during the 19th century, notably thanks to the zoologist Jean-Théodore Lacordaire. In 1888, Édouard Van Beneden founded the Zoological Institute and housed the collection there; he developed research in marine biology and oceanography.

After the two world wars, during which Désiré Damas protected the collections, Rector Marcel Dubuisson completely renovated the institute in 1947. He reorganised the collections in a 1,000 m² museum and created an aquarium to keep alive the animals needed for research. The Aquarium and the Museum were opened to the public on 12 November 1962, with the idea that they should be aimed above all at schoolchildren.

Today, the Aquarium-Muséum is the only site in Belgium that combines the living aquatic world with natural science heritage. The aquarium presents about 250 species in some fifty tanks, from the North Sea to tropical reefs and the Amazon. The TréZOOr room traces the history of the collections and shows, among other things, extinct animals and Blaschka glass models. The museum rooms are currently closed for renovation as part of the Muséum 2.0 project.

Highlights

• About 250 species in some fifty tanks
• Wobbegong carpet shark tank, over 60,000 litres
• Living coral reef and tropical lagoon
• Amazonian atmosphere with terrariums and aquariums
• TréZOOr room: extinct animals (dodo, Tasmanian wolf) and Blaschka glass models
• The mural “La Genèse” by Paul Delvaux

Permanent exhibitions

• L'Aquarium – About 250 species in some fifty tanks: temperate and tropical seawater, freshwater, sharks and coral reefs, Amazonian atmosphere.
• Salle TréZOOr – History of the University's natural science collections since 1817, extinct animals, the art of taxidermy and teaching models in glass and wax.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Aquarium-Muséum universitaire de Liège (ASBL), Université de Liège

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free access to the permanent displays, with mandatory booking.

Prices valid from 31 August 2026, for the combined free visit of the aquarium, the TréZOOr room, the Maison de la Science, the planetarium and the temporary exhibitions. The museumPASSmusées is on sale at reception; special events are not included. Teachers with the Carte PROF enter free to prepare a school visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A level side entrance, to the right of the main entrance and next to the disabled parking spaces, leads to the lift serving reception. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Activities at weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Birthday parties for children aged 6 to 12 on Saturdays and Sundays, with a treasure hunt of about 1 hour 30 minutes: flat fee of €150 for 10 children, €12 per additional child (15 children maximum), booking 20 working days in advance. Level step-free entrance for pushchairs; changing table in the toilets on the aquarium level.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the quai Édouard Van Beneden, on the bank of the Meuse.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi during the visit. Unsupervised cloakroom, free, at reception. Shop with soft toys, books, games and textiles. Picnic area outside, at the back of the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit