Maison du Parc-Botrange

About the museum

The Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park was created in 1971 on the initiative of the Province of Liège and remains Belgium's oldest nature park. It covers 72,000 hectares spread over twelve French- and German-speaking municipalities, across heathland, peat bogs, rivers and villages. The park is part of a cross-border German-Belgian ensemble.

The Maison du Parc-Botrange is its visitor and educational centre. It lies on the edge of the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, on the plateau at about 694 metres above sea level, very close to the Signal de Botrange, the highest point in Belgium. It is the starting point for many walks on the paths and boardwalks.

The building houses the permanent FANIA exhibition, a route on a giant boardwalk that presents the climate, relief, geology, the history of peat and pastoralism, and the fauna and flora of the Fagnes. Temporary exhibitions, a shop with regional products and nature books, a bistro, a play area and activities for schools are added; the park's educational service reaches thousands of pupils every year. Digital adventure games, guided charabanc excursions and guided walks complete the offer.

Highlights

• Permanent FANIA exhibition on a giant boardwalk
• Sensory tunnel: birdsong, a fox den, barefoot on cones and bark
• Starting point for walks in the Hautes Fagnes, near the Signal de Botrange
• Guided charabanc excursion in the Fagnes
• Digital game “Panique à Fania parc !” for families
• Shop with regional products and play area

Permanent exhibition

• FANIA – Route on a giant boardwalk across the Hautes Fagnes plateau: climate, geology, peat and pastoralism, fauna and flora, with a sensory tunnel.

Operated by

Parc naturel Hautes Fagnes-Eifel (Province de Liège)

Admission & discounts

Admission to the permanent FANIA exhibition is sold as a combined ticket with the temporary LOUP exhibition: adults €8, seniors €7, children €4.50.

Accessibility

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

The FANIA exhibition has received Access-i certification. Step-free entrance with an automatic door, no steps in the exhibition, at least one reserved parking space less than 100 m from the entrance, and seats at reception and along the route. Some doors can only be passed with help, a ramp towards the end of the route is steep, and the adapted toilets are difficult to use. Dogs are not admitted to the FANIA exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Play area open to all every day, with slides, climbing structures and swings. Sensory tunnel in FANIA, the digital game “Panique à Fania parc !” for families with children aged 6 to 12, and a free educational booklet for children from age 6 in the temporary exhibition. Charabanc excursions and workshops for schools.

Getting there & parking

By car: E42, exit Eupen or Malmedy, then towards the Hautes Fagnes; or E25, exit Sprimont, then Theux and Jalhay. By bike: junction node 50 of the node network, with a demanding final climb. The Maison du Parc holds the Bienvenue Vélo label (28 bicycle parking spaces, 8 charging points, repair station). Check the weather and road conditions before going up onto the plateau.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Bistrot de Botrange (Chalet Loci brewery, local products). Park shop with honey, jams, craft beers, nature books and souvenirs. Picnic tables near the play area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit