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is a major city and municipality of Belgium, the French-speaking region of Belgium.
The city is the principal economic and cultural centre of Wallonia. Liège is, with 194,000 inhabitants, the second most populous city in Wallonia after Charleroi.
In the past, Liège was one of the most important steel-making centres in Europe. Starting in 1817.The industrial complex of Seraing was the largest in the world. It once boasted numerous blast furnaces and mills. Although now a mere shadow of its former self, steel production and the manufacture of steel goods remain important.
Liège has also been an important centre for gunsmithing since the Middle ages and the arms industry is still strong with the headquarters of FN Herstal. The economy of the region is now diversified, the most important centres are: Mechanical industries (Aircraft engine and Spacecraft propulsion), space technology, information technology, biotechnology and also production of water, beer or chocolate.
Liège is also a very important transport and logistics centre
The city possesses the third largest river port in Europe directly connected to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Germany via the Meuse river and the Albert Canal.
After the war, Liège suffered from the collapse of its steel industry, which produced high levels of unemployment and stoked social tension.
Liège has shown some signs of economic recovery in recent years with the opening up of borders within the European Union, surging steel prices, and improved administration. Several new shopping centres have been built, and numerous repairs carried out.
The stairway of the Montagne de Bueren
The 16th century palace of the Prince-Bishops of Liège is built on the Place St Lambert, where the old St Lambert cathedral used to stand before the French Revolution. An archeological display, the Archeoforum, can be visited under the Place St Lambert.
The perron on the nearby Place du Marché was once the symbol of justice in the prince-bishopry and is now the symbol of the city. It stands in front of the 17th century city hall.
The cathedral of Saint-Paul contains a treasury and St Lambert's tomb. It is one of the original seven collegiate churches, which include the German-Romanesque St Bartholomew church (Saint Barthélémy) and the church of St Martin.
The church of Saint-James (Saint-Jacques) is probably the most beautiful medieval church in Liège. It is built in the socalled Flamboyant-Gothic style, the porch is early-Renaissance. The statues are by Liège sculptor Jean DelCour. Saint-Jacques also contains 29, spectacular, 14th century misericords.
The main museums in Liège are: MAMAC (Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art), Museum of Walloon Life, and Museum of Walloon Art & Religious Art (Mosan art). The Curtius Museum is an elegantly furnished mansion from the 17th century along the Meuse River, due to reopen in March 2009 as the expanded Grand Curtius museum housing the collections of the archaeology, decorative arts, religious art and Mosan art museums.
Other sites of interest include the historical city centre (the Carré), the Hors-Château area, the Outremeuse area, the parks and boulevards along the Meuse river, the Citadel, the 400 steps stairway "Montagne de Bueren", leading from Hors-Château to the Citadel, and the Liège-Guillemins train station designed by Santiago Calatrava.
"Le Quinze Aout" celebration takes place annually on August 15 in Outremeuse and celebrates the Virgin Mary. It is one of the biggest folkloric displays in the city with a religious procession the city.
Liège hosts one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Belgium.
Liège, the Sunday "Batte" market
The city is well-known for its very crowded folk festivals. The 15 August festival ("Le 15 août") is maybe the best known.
Liège is renowned for its significant nightlife. Within the pedestrian zone, there is an area (a 100 m by 100 m square called Le Carré) with many lively pubs which are reputed to remain open until the last customer leaves (typically around 6 am). Another active area is the Place du Marché.
The "Batte" market is where most locals visit on Sundays. The outdoor market goes along the Meuse River and also attracts many visitors to Liège. The market typically runs from early morning to 2 o'clock in the afternoon every weekend year long. Produce, clothing, and snack vendors are the main concentration of the market.
The city annually hosts a significant jazz festival Jazz à Liège.
In Spring Liège also hosts the Liège-Bastogne-Liège cycle race, the oldest of the classic cycle races. The circuit starts from the city of Liège, goes to the city of Bastogne and returns to finish in the Liège suburb of Ans

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