La Cité Miroir
Cultural centre in the former Bains et Thermes de la Sauvenière, with three permanent immersive trails on memory, war and social struggles.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
La Cité Miroir occupies the former complex of the Bains et Thermes de la Sauvenière in the centre of Liège. The project, launched by alderman Georges Truffaut and designed by modernist architect Georges Dedoyard, included two swimming pools, a bus station, a hydrotherapy section and a dance hall. Work began in 1938; the building, inspired by the Bauhaus and evoking an ocean liner, opened in May 1942 under the Occupation. An air-raid shelter was added in the basement in 1940.
The baths were very popular until they closed in 2000 for failing to meet safety standards. In 2004 the asbl MNEMA was set up on the initiative of the Territoires de la Mémoire to carry the “Cité Miroir” project, and the building was partially listed. After renovation work, the Cité Miroir opened its doors in January 2014.
Three associations share the building: MNEMA, the Territoires de la Mémoire and the Centre d’Action Laïque de la Province de Liège. They offer temporary exhibitions, performances and three permanent trails: “Plus jamais ça !” on deportation and the Nazi camps, “En Lutte” on the history of social struggles, and “L’Abri” in the original air-raid shelter.
Highlights
- Immersive trail “Plus jamais ça !” on the journey of deported people and on resistance
- “En Lutte. Histoires d’émancipation et de solidarité”, a trail on social achievements
- “L’Abri”: visit to the listed underground air-raid shelter, which could hold up to 400 people
- Modernist building of 1942 with a pool hall 80 m long
- Access-i label for accessibility
Permanent exhibitions
- Plus jamais ça ! – Immersive trail by the Territoires de la Mémoire that follows the journey of people deported by the Nazi regime, from propaganda to the camps, and asks what resistance means today.
- En Lutte. Histoires d'émancipation et de solidarité – Trail by the Centre d’Action Laïque de la Province de Liège on the memory of workers’ struggles and social achievements.
- L'Abri – Trail through the listed underground air-raid shelter, devoted to everyday life for victims of bombing.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- MNEMA asbl, Territoires de la Mémoire asbl et Centre d'Action Laïque de la Province de Liège
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8.50 per personGroup rate per person from 10 people; one accompanying person free per group of 10. |
| Pool hall (free access) | €1If a paid exhibition is on, the exhibition price applies. |
| Combined 2 trails | €22€15 for groups, €11 at the reduced rate. |
| Combined 3 trails | €30€21 for groups, €17 at the reduced rate. |
| Article 27 | €1.25 |
Free admission: Free entry to the “Plus jamais ça !” and “En Lutte” trails on the first Sunday of the month.
Prices per trail (“Plus jamais ça !”, “En Lutte” and “L’Abri”). Entry to “Plus jamais ça !” is free for holders of the Région wallonne card, the Carte Prof or Lerarenkaart, and members of the Territoires de la Mémoire; entry to “En Lutte” and “L’Abri” is free for holders of the Carte Prof or Lerarenkaart. Temporary exhibitions have their own prices. Payment in cash, by Bancontact and by credit card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access-i certified venue for visitors who are visually impaired, hard of hearing or have reduced mobility; adapted guided tours are possible. Entry is on the right side of the building. Some staircases may be difficult to use because of the architecture of the 1930s; contact the box office before your visit. The trails “Plus jamais ça !” and “En Lutte” are listed as accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 11+
Open to all from age 11 for “Plus jamais ça !” and “L’Abri”; “En Lutte” from age 15. “L’Abri” is not recommended for people who are claustrophobic or very prone to anxiety.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sauvenière / Opéra · 3-min walk
3 minutes on foot from the TEC bus stops (lines 3, 17, 26, 27, 29 and 126) and the Sauvenière and Opéra tram stops; 10 minutes on foot from Liège-Carré and Liège-Saint-Lambert stations, and 10 minutes by bus from Liège-Guillemins station.
By car
Paid parking
Car parks Neujean (boulevard de la Sauvenière 45) and Central-Park (boulevard de la Sauvenière 37), and the Jonfosse car park. One hour’s discount for parking of at least 2 hours on presentation of the ticket at reception; evening flat rate of €7 from 17:45 to 01:00.
Bicycle racks on Place Xavier Neujean.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Café L’Escale on the second floor (Monday to Friday); restaurant Artist; bookshop; free cloakroom at reception (second floor). Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibitions.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Spaces can be hired for events linked to citizenship, dialogue between cultures or the work of remembrance.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Immersive trails: “Plus jamais ça !” about 1 hour for individuals and 1 hour 45 minutes for groups with an animation; “En Lutte” 85 minutes; “L’Abri” 45 minutes. Booking is recommended, especially during the school term. Trails are in French and Dutch; “L’Abri” is also available in English and German. Visit of the building “Des Bains à La Cité” on request (€25 per group, from 10 people). Assistance dogs only. |
