Musée communal de Herstal

About the museum

The museum occupies the Lovinfosse house, a townhouse in the Mosan style that the alderman and clerk Lambert de Lovinfosse had built in 1664 in the heart of Herstal. The Lovinfosse family owned it until 1764; the house then passed by marriage to the Courard family, who lived there until 1932. The municipality then bought the building to house its public works department, and the house was listed in 1934. It has kept the traditional architecture of the Meuse valley, with its shallow vaulted ceilings, large carved stone fireplaces, mullioned windows and oak floors. A complete restoration took place in 1970, followed by a new campaign fifty years later.

The route tells the story of Herstal, a former city of iron and coal, from the time of Charlemagne to the early 20th century. Reconstructions, a slideshow, tools, old photographs and exceptional pieces evoke the trades of the past: miners, ironmongers, blacksmiths, founders, gunsmiths, engravers and clockmakers. Seven motorbikes from the FN, Saroléa, Gillet and Brondoit workshops, the famous “ demoiselles de Herstal ”, are among the finest pieces. Depending on the temporary exhibitions, works by artists connected to the region are also shown.

In the courtyard, a medieval garden was created in 2014 for the 1,200th anniversary of Charlemagne’s death, based on the plant list of the Capitulare de Villis; it is decorated with sculptures by Marceau Gillard. A documentation centre on local history and the Meuse region completes the offer.

Highlights

• Lovinfosse house from 1664, a listed residence in the Mosan style
• Seven motorbikes from the FN, Saroléa, Gillet and Brondoit workshops, the “demoiselles de Herstal”
• Reconstructions and tools of the iron and coal trades
• Medieval garden inspired by the Capitulare de Villis, with sculptures by Marceau Gillard
• Documentation centre on the history of Herstal and the Meuse basin

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent dans la Maison Lovinfosse – History of Herstal, a city of iron and coal: trades of the past, arms and motorbikes from local workshops, in a Mosan house of 1664; medieval garden in the courtyard.

Operated by

Ville de Herstal

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free admission.

Individual admission: €2. Free for children and students.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Free admission for children; school visits and outdoor storytelling walks by reservation.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small souvenir shop (for example with the Tchantchès puppet).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit