Musée Tchantchès

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1947 in rue Grande Bêche, moved in 1954 to number 33, and in 1959 settled in the back courtyard of number 56 rue Surlet, where it still is. It is largely run by volunteers of the ASBL République libre d'Outre-Meuse and bears the name of Tchantchès, the puppet who became the symbol of the everyday Liégeois.

In 1960 the museum acquired the Théâtre Royal Ancien Impérial and its 129 traditional Liège marionettes. Performances resumed in 1967; the stage is decorated with the façade of a 1905 fairground barrel organ (limonaire). The Liège marionettes are operated by a rod fixed to the top of the head, and the repertoire mixes chansons de geste (medieval epic songs), tales and local satire.

The collections include more than 400 costumes given to Tchantchès, diplomas, paintings and banners of defunct folklore societies, as well as a library and archives available on request. The museum also hosts performances of other forms of puppetry and houses the Liège seat of UNIMA Belgium.

Highlights

• Liège marionette theatre with 129 traditional puppets
• More than 400 costumes of Tchantchès and Nanèsse
• Performances on Sundays at 10:30 and Wednesdays at 14:30, from October to April
• Memory of the folklore and traditions of the Outre-Meuse district
• 1905 barrel-organ façade as stage backdrop

Permanent exhibitions

• Le musée et ses collections – Costumes of Tchantchès and Nanèsse, documents on the folklore and traditions of Outre-Meuse, banners and paintings of folklore societies.
• Le théâtre de marionnettes liégeoises – Performances of the Théâtre Royal Ancien Impérial, Liège's oldest puppet theatre, with a repertoire of chansons de geste and tales.

Founded

1947

Operated by

ASBL République libre d'Outre-Meuse

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Museum visits are free; a supplement may be charged for temporary exhibitions. The puppet show is paid.

Accessibility

• 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

The museum states that it is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Each show is a family production. Children's birthday parties can be organised as part of the Wednesday afternoon performances.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit