Fort de Flémalle

About the museum

Fort de Flémalle is one of the twelve forts of the Liège fortified position designed by General Brialmont. Built between 1888 and 1892, it has a square plan and is surrounded by a moat 5 m deep and 12 m wide. In August 1914 it was bombarded from the 14th, notably by 420 mm mortars. After the explosion of Loncin fort, it surrendered on 16 August: it was the last fort in Liège to fall.

The Belgian army rearmed it between the wars: turrets, ventilation and electrical installations were renewed. In May 1940 a garrison of around 300 men was stationed there. Aerial bombardment on 15 May destroyed its turrets, and the fort was taken the next day. Traces of the bombing are still visible, notably on the air tower.

After the war the structure was partly stripped of its equipment; an association then preserved it and created a museum there in 1992. Today enthusiastic guides show visitors the galleries, the fire control room, the engine room, the cupolas and the barrack rooms. The “VR'40 experience tour” adds virtual reality headsets to show the fort as it was on 10 May 1940. A new museum is in preparation with the Musée royal de l'Armée and Belgian Battlefield of Europe.

Highlights

• VR'40 experience tour: guided visit with virtual reality headsets
• Last Liège fort to fall, in August 1914
• Galleries, engine room, cupolas and barrack rooms
• Air tower marked by the 1940 bombing
• 3D reconstruction of the complete, armed fort

Permanent exhibitions

• Visite guidée du fort – Route of about two hours through the galleries, showing soldiers' daily life, and a 3D reconstruction of the complete, armed fort.
• VR'40 experience tour – Guided visit with a virtual reality headset: flashbacks show the fire control room, engine room, cupolas and barrack rooms as they were on 10 May 1940.

Operated by

ASBL Comité du Musée du Fort de Flémalle

Admission & discounts

VR'40 experience tour price: €12 per adult, €7 per child. Book online or at the Flémalle tourist office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The VR'40 experience tour is not recommended for people with balance problems.

Kids & families

Children are welcome on the VR'40 experience tour, with a reduced rate from 7 to 12; under 12 they share an adult's headset.

Getting there & parking

Meet at the fort café, avenue du Fort in Flémalle.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Fort café, meeting point for tours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit