Experience in Liege, Belgium by Puissieux

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What is it like to live in Liege? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's an old Belgian city which was really famous in the past. There used to be a nice cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Lambert), that was destroyed during the Liège revolution, and which is now the main square in which you could see the old palace, a shop gallery,... It's a really nice place to be when the sun is shining or simply to admire the beautiful baroque architecture! Then, there're gorgeous parks such as the Bovérie park where you can just relax, lean back and take a tan!

There are a lot of shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, art exhibitions...

What is the student lifestyle like in Liege?

It's actually really great! Belgium and especially Liège is known around the world for its beer, culture, parties and folklore! You've nice cheap restaurants where you can grab something to eat. By the way, you've a lot of different genres of food (Italian, Belgian, Portuguese, Chinese, Tai, French, Turkish... ). Then there are tremendous bars and pubs such as "Le Pot au lait" in which thousands of students, from university, high schools, etc come and drink a few beers. Belgium is known for its best beer in the world. And it's true! We've about thousands different beers all delicious! Finally, if you have the need of partying, Liège is one of the best place to be! You may know "Le Carré" which is actually different bars through several streets in a "Carré"(= square). On Friday and Saturday nights, the bars are full of students. I mean, really full! It's not so expensive. However, it's often a place in which a dress code is not asked. You can come well-dressed yet you have to know that it won't last. You'll be thrown beer, alcohol and sometimes piss on... Therefore it's advised to come dressed with a white "toge" (coat) that you don't wear anymore or that it doesn't bother you to be completely fucked.

How much does it cost to live in Liege?

Well Belgium is as expensive as the United Kingdom. Sometimes it may be even more expensive regarding food, drinks,... However, it's not Brussels or Antwerp where you have to live in a small piece of accommodation which you need to sell a kidney to pay for... Nevertheless, it's quite hard to find a good place to live without paying a certain amount of money.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Liege? Is there any advice you can give?

Yeah so it's way much better to look for a piece of accommodation early in the year. There're companies/firms that rent flats, shared houses,... so it's always a good idea to check it.

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What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There're Belgian dishes that are actually good! Liège is famous for its "boulet liégeois" which is meat balls in a sauce based on beer. It's served with Belgian Fries! and a salad. You can take a beer... There are "friteries" in which you can have a delicious chips with many different sauces for 3€ or 4€. If you need something else, there're several different genres of food such as Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, Tai, Spanish...

What places would you recommend visiting in Liege?

Liège used to be a nice city before the WWII stroke our country. Liège was founded centuries ago! Therefore you'd be able to see, across the streets and the city, many baroque genre buildings.

The main square, "place Saint-Lambert", had the biggest cathedral in the world. However, during the Liège revolution, it was destroyed because the governor ran Liège horrendously!

Nevertheless, the stones were used to build new buildings and churches throughout the city. Therefore you just have to hang out across the streets to spot a beautiful architecture!

Then, still in the main square, there's the old governor's palace which survived the revolution and the wars. There're many shop galleries whose one of them is located in the main square (Gallerie Saint-Lambert). There are many exhibitions and museums. One of the most famous is the "Musée de la Bovérie" located in the Bovérie park where you can just relax, drink a beer or more... Regarding parks, there aren't so many huge parks such as Hyde park in London, though you still have some parks.

Finally, there's the new Liège under construction with several modern buildings such as the Finance Tower and the main station "Guillemins station".

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Is it good to eat out in Liege? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

As mentioned before, many genres of food and restaurants are available across the city.

Is the nightlife good in Liege? Where is good to go?

"The Carré" is the best place to be to party even though it's each time overcrowded... However, Liège is really entertaining and offers many concerts, parties... even at university just in front of it. There are parades too! Liège is keen on parties and folklore. You will never be bored. All students coming to Liège are sad to go back to their countries. Belgium is also a small country compared to France, the UK and Germany. Therefore, with a train, you can reach other big cities such as Brussels, Namur, Antwerp which are also great!

What advice would you give future students heading to Liege?

Enjoy everyday because Liège is worth going to!

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