Maison de la Métallurgie et de l'Industrie de Liège

About the museum

The Maison de la Métallurgie et de l’Industrie de Liège occupies the former Longdoz factory, the oldest part of which was built in 1845 by the Dothée brothers to produce tinplate. The factory later passed to the company Espérance-Longdoz, reached a production peak in 1948, stopped hot rolling in 1957 and closed for good in 1980, after the merger of Cockerill and Espérance-Longdoz.

The museum dates back to 1963, when Espérance-Longdoz brought together the collections of the Compagnie des conduites d’eau and those of the company. In 1973 it became the asbl “Musée du fer et du charbon”, donated to the City of Liège and entrusted to the Musée de la Vie wallonne. In 1990 the University of Liège, the City and the Musée de la Vie wallonne set up the asbl “Maison de la Métallurgie”, renamed in 1992 “Maison de la Métallurgie et de l’Industrie de Liège”.

The route, devoted to four centuries of industrial adventure, presents the pre-industrial period (an old Walloon forge and the gueulard room, the furnace-top hall) and the Industrial Revolution of Liège origin: iron, zinc, the John Cockerill space and the Ambresin steam engine of 1840, accompanied by scale models. The collections also include company archives, plans, models and textiles.

Highlights

• Old Walloon forge and the gueulard room
• Ambresin steam engine (1840) with explanatory scale models
• Space devoted to John Cockerill and the development of zinc
• Route through a former metalworks in Longdoz
• Visitor’s booklet, self-guided activities for families and guided tours

Permanent exhibitions

• La période préindustrielle – Old Walloon forge and the gueulard room.
• La Révolution industrielle – The story of iron and zinc of Liège origin, with the John Cockerill space and the Ambresin steam engine (1840).

Founded

1963

Operated by

Maison de la Métallurgie et de l'Industrie de Liège asbl (Université de Liège, Ville de Liège)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of the month, April to October (except public holiday Sundays).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

About 90% of the museum’s spaces are accessible and equipped for people with reduced mobility; only the forge floors are not accessible by wheelchair. More information is available on the Access-i website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Activities to enjoy as a family at your own pace, workshops and animations for schools, birthday parties for €100 (up to 10 children); Family Card at €30.

Getting there & parking

Motorways E40, E25, E42 or E313, direction “Liège-centre”, then “Médiacité”; the museum is 60 metres before the Médiacité car park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café area with drinks (soft drinks, tea, coffee) at reception; bookshop; locker hire: 8 lockers on request, coat hooks for groups.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms for hire for events.

Plan your visit