Musée de la vie wallonne

About the museum

The museum was born in 1913 from the initiative of Walloon activists, including the lawyer Joseph-Maurice Remouchamps, the linguist Jean Haust and the writer Henri Simon. They wanted to preserve Walloon popular arts and traditions, customs, trades and techniques. It continued an earlier Musée du Vieux-Liège founded in 1894. The first rooms opened in 1930 in annexes of the Curtius Museum, and the Liège puppet theatre was founded the following year to save this threatened tradition.

From 1966 the museum gradually moved into the former Franciscan convent. The Franciscans had settled in Liège in 1243; the convent, rebuilt in the 17th century in the Mosan Renaissance style, also served as the city's arsenal and as a marketplace. After a major restoration, the Province of Liège took over management of the complex in 1989. The complex also includes the Saint-Antoine church, now the Espace Saint-Antoine for temporary exhibitions, and the Maison Chamart.

The renovation completed in 2008 gave the museum an entirely new route over two floors. The folk museum thus became a society museum, attentive to the ways of life of Wallonia yesterday and today. The collections include everyday objects, posters and signs, photographs, filmed and sound archives, and a collection of nearly 1,000 puppets.

Highlights

• Route through five thematic spaces on Wallonia from the 19th century to today
• Monumental work “Le Marché de Liège” by Léopold Harzé
• “Healer” nail tree, old signs and posters
• Liège puppet theatre with Tchantchès, since 1931
• Former Franciscan convent and its cloister
• Marmaille&Co playful bag for visiting as a family

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent : la Wallonie du XIXe siècle à nos jours – Five thematic spaces (Wallonie(s), (R)évolutions techniques, Vivre ensemble, Jour après jour, Vie de l'esprit) present ways of life and how they have changed.
• Théâtre de marionnettes liégeoises – Traditional performances around Tchantchès, the Liège folk hero, in a theatre active since 1931.

Founded

1913

Operated by

Province de Liège

Admission & discounts

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

The museum or temporary exhibition ticket costs €7 for adults. Free admission for holders of museumPASSmusées (on sale at reception), the Attractions et Tourisme card, the Profs card, journalists, ICOM members and Friends of the Museum. Discount for holders of the Pass Visit Wallonia. Online tickets are available.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has been certified Access-i since 2014. Glass lift serving the floors (two wheelchairs, depending on size); adapted toilets in the basement with a changing table; a wheelchair is lent at reception. In this listed building some spaces remain narrow (for example around the nail tree). A disabled parking space is reserved in the Cour des Mineurs, behind the museum; an adapted doorbell is near the restaurant. Two activities for visually impaired people are offered by reservation. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free playful bag “Marmaille&Co” (three games), to request at reception. Liège puppet theatre for young and old, holiday courses for children and birthday parties (from age 5, Wednesday and Sunday 14:30-17:00, €60 flat fee for 10 children).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic heart of Liège.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant and brasserie Le Cloître in the former cloister (open to all, Walloon cuisine, terrace; brasserie from 9:30 to 17:30, Tuesday to Sunday). Bookshop-shop open during opening hours. Lockers in the basement (a €1 coin is returned). Wi-Fi is only mentioned for hired rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Four spaces for hire during opening hours: basement auditorium (58 chairs), Espace Rencontres on the 3rd floor (80 chairs), cloister and Espace Saint-Antoine. Equipped with microphone, projector and Wi-Fi; contact +32 4 279 20 21.

Plan your visit