LIEGE
THE HOMETOWN OF TCHANTCHES
Information
Read
The oldest citizen and also the mascot of the city is a big-nosed wooden puppet named ‘Tchantchès’ (pronounced as chanchay) [6].
He was born on the 15th of August 760 between the ‘cobblestones’ of the town’s Outremeuse quarter [6].
His birth is an amusing tale that is quite similar to a biblical story [6].
He tends to get wildly intoxicated on the local Walloon gin pékèt, and also likes to head-butt people [6].
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Yet, he’s a much love character of Lege [6].
His life story is retold in a puppet show at ‘Musée Tchantchès’ in a Walloon dialect (similar to French) [6].
The show happens every Sunday at 10:30am through October and April [6].
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Outremeuse
Tchantchès has his own festival called ‘Outremeuse’, which is a week celebration of wild fiestas that finishes on the 15th of August [6].
The festival involves Sermons read in a Walloon dialect, everyone getting drunk on pékèt (local gin), firecrackers, puppet shows, and traditional dances [6].
On the last day, there’s a ‘mourning parade’ where the brass band interchanges between carnival and sad music, while the people dress in black and have celery sticks [6].
At 5pm, the festival ends with a cremation and the burial of the bones [6].
In the 4th century, Liege began as a Roma Villa [6].
In 705, St-Lambert, the Bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht, stopped to pray at the town, however he was murdered by an opposing clan [6].
Following his death, pilgrimages were built in the town [6].
In the 10th century, the region of Liege became an autonomous territory ruled by the ‘prince-bishops’ of Liège [6].
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In 1015, Frankish Emperor Charlemagne agreed to the development of the St-Lambert’s Cathedral, which became one of the greatest Cathedrals in Northern Europe [6].
In 1789, commenced the revolution of Liege, which removed the Prince-bishop from power [6].
In 1793, the town voted to demolish the once great St-Lambert’s Cathedral as it symbolised the suppression of rulers [6].
In 1795, Liege was annexed by France after 8 centuries being independent [6].
In 1815, after Napoleons defeat, the town was a part of the United Kingdom of Netherlands, until it became a part of Belgium in 1830 [6].
In the 19th century, Liege was renowned as a large scale steel production industry [6].
In 1905, the city hosted the annual World Fair to display its industrial advances [6].
During World War 1, Liege became the first city to experience aerial bombing, which was delivered by the German’s Zeppelin airships [6].
However in spite of that, the brave people of Liege was able to withhold the German army for 12 days, which allowed the Allies to prepare a defense against the German’s westward attack [6].
After the 1970s, the city fortunes declined severely, due to the collapse of the steel industry [6].
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Attractions
Read
374-step staircase.
It was built in 1881, to honour the 600 soldiers who died in battle, against the attack by ‘Charles the Bold’ in the 15th century.
The staircase is named after Vincent de Bueren, who defended Liège from Charles’s army.
In 2013, the staircase was ranked as #1 on the ‘HuffingtonPost’ list of ‘Most Extreme Staircases’.
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On the first Saturday of October, 20,000 candles are displayed along the staircase in a beautiful pattern (Nocturne Des Coteaux) [6].
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The cathedral has a 19th century painting that depicts the assassination of St-Lambert [6].
GUIDE
INFORMATION
The oldest citizen and also the mascot of the city is a big-nosed wooden puppet named ‘Tchantchès’ (pronounced as chanchay) [6].
He was born on the 15th of August 760 between the ‘cobblestones’ of the town’s Outremeuse quarter [6].
His birth is an amusing tale that is quite similar to a biblical story [6].
He tends to get wildly intoxicated on the local Walloon gin pékèt, and also likes to head-butt people [6].
[expand title=””]
Yet, he’s a much love character of Lege [6].
His life story is retold in a puppet show at ‘Musée Tchantchès’ in a Walloon dialect (similar to French) [6].
The show happens every Sunday at 10:30am through October and April [6].
[/expand]
Outremeuse
Tchantchès has his own festival called ‘Outremeuse’, which is a week celebration of wild fiestas that finishes on the 15th of August [6].
The festival involves Sermons read in a Walloon dialect, everyone getting drunk on pékèt (local gin), firecrackers, puppet shows, and traditional dances [6].
On the last day, there’s a ‘mourning parade’ where the brass band interchanges between carnival and sad music, while the people dress in black and have celery sticks [6].
At 5pm, the festival ends with a cremation and the burial of the bones [6].
In the 4th century, Liege began as a Roma Villa [6].
In 705, St-Lambert, the Bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht, stopped to pray at the town, however he was murdered by an opposing clan [6].
Following his death, pilgrimages were built in the town [6].
In the 10th century, the region of Liege became an autonomous territory ruled by the ‘prince-bishops’ of Liège [6].
[expand title=””]
In 1015, Frankish Emperor Charlemagne agreed to the development of the St-Lambert’s Cathedral, which became one of the greatest Cathedrals in Northern Europe [6].
In 1789, commenced the revolution of Liege, which removed the Prince-bishop from power [6].
In 1793, the town voted to demolish the once great St-Lambert’s Cathedral as it symbolised the suppression of rulers [6].
In 1795, Liege was annexed by France after 8 centuries being independent [6].
In 1815, after Napoleons defeat, the town was a part of the United Kingdom of Netherlands, until it became a part of Belgium in 1830 [6].
In the 19th century, Liege was renowned as a large scale steel production industry [6].
In 1905, the city hosted the annual World Fair to display its industrial advances [6].
During World War 1, Liege became the first city to experience aerial bombing, which was delivered by the German’s Zeppelin airships [6].
However in spite of that, the brave people of Liege was able to withhold the German army for 12 days, which allowed the Allies to prepare a defense against the German’s westward attack [6].
After the 1970s, the city fortunes declined severely, due to the collapse of the steel industry [6].
[/expand]
ATTRACTIONS
374-step staircase.
It was built in 1881, to honour the 600 soldiers who died in battle, against the attack by ‘Charles the Bold’ in the 15th century.
The staircase is named after Vincent de Bueren, who defended Liège from Charles’s army.
In 2013, the staircase was ranked as #1 on the ‘HuffingtonPost’ list of ‘Most Extreme Staircases’.
[expand title=””]
On the first Saturday of October, 20,000 candles are displayed along the staircase in a beautiful pattern (Nocturne Des Coteaux) [6].
[/expand]
The cathedral has a 19th century painting that depicts the assassination of St-Lambert [6].
Liege Experience
My experience of Liege comprised of 1 night. In my stay I got to explore the whole city. In my opinion, Liège is not the most attractive city in Belgium. The architecture is quite grey and gritty. The main attraction, ‘Bueren Mountain’, is the best thing to do and see for tourist. Besides the staircase, there’s not much to checkout. However from what I’ve heard, the city does have a significant nightlife. Most of the pubs & bars are in the city square block called ‘Le Carre’, which means the square. The location of this place is behind the opera house. Thus, if you like nightlife, then maybe it’s worth considering. Obviously the best time to go will be during the mid-August festival, Outremeuse. This will give you a cool travel highlight in your Europe trip. Something worth considering for a day trip, is to buy a special ‘transport day ticket’ to visit the surrounding regions of Maastricht (Netherlands), Aachen (Germany), & Eupen (German part of Belgium) for a discounted price.
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All the towns are very close to each other, and each offer some interesting architecture. Thus, I highly recommend it. Overall, Liege doesn’t offer that much, but it does offer something at least. I thought the stairway was a unique experience. And for that reason, if you’re close to Liege then it’s worth considering.
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