Hexapoda – Insectarium Jean Leclercq

About the museum

Hexapoda – Insectarium Jean Leclercq is a museum space devoted to insects (or, more precisely, hexapods), unique in Wallonia. It is located at Petit-Axhe, near Waremme, and is part of the museum and cultural hub of the University of Liège (ULiège). The museum is recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.

The route includes a permanent exhibition with informative panels and staged displays, playful modules, immersive rooms (“les insectes la nuit” and “la grotte aux araignées”, the spider cave) and about fifty live species: stick insects, cockroaches, flower chafers, praying mantises and grasshoppers, as well as colonies of bees and ants. A cabinet of curiosities, the explorer's camp, presents objects from the collections of about ten museums in the ULiège museum hub.

Outside, the entomological garden of more than 4,500 m² offers an educational trail, a pond, a butterfly house and an educational apiary. Hexapoda also houses one of the largest entomological collections in Europe, with about 10,000 insect boxes and more than 6 million specimens, which is available on request to researchers and enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition and immersive rooms (“les insectes la nuit”, “la grotte aux araignées”)
• About fifty species of live insects, colonies of bees and ants
• Entomological garden of more than 4,500 m² with pond, butterfly house and apiary
• Cabinet of curiosities with objects from ten University of Liège museums
• Barefoot sensory trail and an escape game in the museum

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente Hexapoda – Informative panels, playful modules, immersive rooms, about fifty live species and the entomological garden.

Operated by

Université de Liège (pôle muséal et culturel)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month from 12:00 to 18:00 (museum recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles; check closing dates).

Three rate levels to choose from (solidarity “Butineur”, supporter “Pollinisateur” and “Bâtisseur de ruche”): adult €9, €12 or €18; child €6, €8 or €12; senior €8, €11 or €16; family (tribu) €25, €34 or €50. The lowest rate is shown. Discounts: 15% off with the ULg card; 10% off with the Prof card, the Pass Visit Wallonia and the Wallonie service public card; Article 27: €1.25 plus an Article 27 ticket.

Accessibility

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

Most of the museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility; the entomological garden is laid out on lawns and in natural areas and has no paths suitable for vehicles. Parking spaces are reserved near the entrance. Dogs are not allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

A museum designed for the whole family: playful modules, live insects, an escape game and a sensory trail. Two-hour birthday parties with an activity on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (14:00–17:00 from March to October, 13:30–16:30 from November to February), courses during school holidays, and the “Tribu” rate.

Getting there & parking

GPS: 50.682401 N, 5.230857 E.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Picnic areas; shop (10% off with the Premium pass).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit