Liège, located along the Meuse River in eastern Belgium, is a city shaped by industry, resilience, and an independent spirit that dates back centuries. Once the capital of a powerful prince-bishopric, Liège has always done things its own way and is lived-in and layered with working neighborhoods, student cafés, and markets that tell the city’s real story. Every Sunday, locals gather at La Batte, one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in Belgium. Stretching along the river for over a kilometer, it’s the place to find local cheeses, North African spices, live poultry, and regional crafts. The nearby Carré district stays busy into the night, with bars tucked between alleyways and music venues attracting both local talent and international acts.

The city also has a deep literary and artistic tradition. It is the birthplace of Georges Simenon, the creator of Inspector Maigret, and today supports a strong visual arts scene with galleries like La Châtaigneraie and spaces inside former industrial buildings. Liège’s Grand Curtius Museum brings together archaeological finds, weaponry, religious art, and decorative objects all under one roof, reflecting the city’s complex identity through the ages.