Palais des Princes-Evêques and Surroundings, Liège

Until 1796 the Cathédrale Saint-Lambert, the largest cathedral in the Netherlands at that time, stood in the Place Saint-Lambert. It was destroyed by the French revolutionaries and their supporters in Liège and the ruins moved in 1808. The excavations of the church foundations and the hypocaust of a Roman villa below the square are accessible by a staircase. Georges Simenon was born at No. 24 Rue Léopold which leads from the square to the Meuse.

On the north side of the Place Saint-Lambert stands the Palais des Princes-Evêques, the former palace of the prince-bishops. Notker had the first modest bishop's seat built here, which - after being extended - was destroyed at the end of the 15th C. Erard de la Marck was responsible for the rebuilding, which was completed 1526-1540 according to plans by Arnold van Mulckens in the transition style between Gothic and Renaissance. In 1734-1740 the new (south) main facade was added. Today the building houses the Law Courts and is the seat of the Walloon government.There are two picturesque courtyards with arcaded walkways and columns. The artists who carved the columns with fools' masks and grotesque faces were inspired by Sebastian Brants and Erasmus and news from the New World. The second courtyard is more peaceful with a fountain. The palace interior is not open to visitors.

Southeast of the palace of the prince-bishops stretches the tree-lined Place du Marché, the market square surrounded by Baroque houses. From here the narrow street En Neuvice, once the street of goldsmiths and today a pedestrian zone, leads down to the Meuse.

Adjoining the Musée de la Vie Wallonne in the Rue Mère-Dieu is the Musée d'Art Religieux (Museum of Religious and Mosan Art). It was the former Diocesan museum and exhibits in nine rooms religious works from the churches of Liège and the Meuse region.

From En Hors Château, which runs south of the museum complex, a short way on the left the Montagne de Bueren steps climb up to the Citadel. At the beginning of the steps the narrow alley Impasse des Ursulines leads into the quiet former monastery of the Holy Spirit and the adjacent postal station which now accommodate the Museum of Architecture.There are examples of Liège architecture but it is primarily a document center for the history of building in the town. In the postal station the study of the Liège violinist Eugène Isaye (1859- 1931) can be seen.

The climb up the 374 steps of the Montagne du Bueren to the Parc de la Citadelle (158m/518ft) is rewarded with a fine view of the city. The park incorporates the grounds and bastions of the 18th C. citadel (now a barracks). Either return the same way or continue along the path already started, which finally leads back down to the church of Saint-Barthélemy.