Archéoforum de Liège

About the museum

In 1898, laying a sewer on the Place Saint-Lambert brought Roman tiles to light and proved that Liège is far older than the time of Bishop Lambert in the 7th century. A first excavation campaign in 1907, led by Paul Lohest and Eugène Polain, revealed a Gallo-Roman villa with a well-preserved hypocaust, later opened to the public in an archaeological crypt.

In the 1960s an urban plan envisaged turning the square into a road junction with a bus station and a large underground car park. Between 1977 and 1984, and again in the 1990s, major excavations took place alongside the works. They revealed Roman baths, traces of an oratory, the Romanesque cathedral and the Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Lambert, as well as a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer camp from about 7000 BC.

Part of the remains was preserved, and the Archéoforum was inaugurated in 2003. Much of the underground area remains an archaeological reserve where occasional campaigns continue. Managed by the Agence wallonne du Patrimoine, the site has offered new digital visit features since 2021, thanks to the European project Terra Mosana.

Highlights

• Remains of a Gallo-Roman villa from the 2nd to the 4th century
• Foundations of the Romanesque cathedral and the Gothic cathedral Saint-Lambert
• Traces of a hunter-gatherer settlement around 7000 BC
• Interactive tablet with quizzes for children, in four languages
• Underground site in the heart of the city, beneath Place Saint-Lambert

Permanent exhibition

• Le site archéologique de la place Saint-Lambert – Underground route through the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa, the baths and the successive cathedrals, with an interactive tablet feature.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Agence wallonne du Patrimoine (AWaP)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free admission from 13:00 to 17:00.

Free admission on presentation of a valid card for holders of the museumPASSmusées, Carte Prof, European Disability Card, ICOM/ICOMOS card and press card. 50% discount for two people with the SSRW card. Partners: Liège Visit Pass, Attractions et Tourisme (365.be), VISITWallonia, educpass and youth hostels.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the layout of the remains, the archaeological site is not accessible to wheelchair users. The room, conference space and shop are accessible through a separate entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

The tablet offers quizzes for the youngest visitors, and a games booklet is available at the ticket desk on request. Birthday parties for 5- to 12-year-olds (10 to 20 children) with an archaeological rally take place on Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and during school holidays; guest child €5, guest adult €7.

Getting there & parking

The site is beneath Place Saint-Lambert; the entrance is opposite the bus station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The Boutique du Patrimoine sells books on Walloon heritage, archaeology and regional history, as well as games and children’s books.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 150 guests.

Paul Lohest hall of 200 to 300 m² (maximum 150 people, of whom 100 are fixed seats), for company evenings, lectures, training, theatre and small concerts, by reservation. Private events such as weddings and birthdays are not accepted.

Plan your visit