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Museum · Liège, Liège
Aquarium-Muséum
Aquarium and Zoology Museum of the University of Liège, in the Outremeuse neighbourhood on the banks of the Mosa. It has around 250 living species in dozens of tanks and a collection of preserved animals, skeletons and glass models.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Aquarium-Muséum
The Aquarium-Muséum operates in the Institute of Zoology of the University of Liège, a late 19th-century building facing the Mosa on the Quai Van Beneden. The façade features Ionic columns and, in the pediments, a bust of Charles Darwin. The aquarium was opened to the public in 1962 by the zoologist Marcel Dubuisson, then rector of the university.
The aquarium houses around 2,500 animals of about 250 species, in dozens of tanks spread over three rooms, with both freshwater and saltwater displays. There are tropical fish, stonefish, eyeless cave fish, cleaner shrimp and a room dedicated to sharks and coral reefs, with a large central tank.
The zoology museum occupies the same building and holds more than 20,000 recorded specimens dating from the 19th century: preserved animals, skulls, horns, skeletons and specimens conserved in fluid. The highlight is the skeleton of a whale about 19 metres long.
Another well-known item is the collection of glass models of marine animals made by the Blaschkas, father and son, 19th-century German craftsmen, commissioned for university classes. The exhibition is organised into groups: invertebrates, vertebrates, mammals and Belgian fauna.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About two hours for the aquarium and the zoology museum.
Best time
All year round, and it's a good choice for a rainy day. During Belgian school holidays and weekend afternoons it is often full of families; weekday mornings are quieter. Check the opening hours before you go.
How to get there
From the centre, cross the Mosa via the Passerelle or the Pont des Arches and follow the quay to the right into Outremeuse. It's about a 15-minute walk from the Place Saint-Lambert. City buses stop near the quay.
Tip
Combine the visit with a walk around Outremeuse, which is right behind the building. For children, the aquarium usually holds their attention more; leave the zoology museum until the end so they can go at their own pace.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Aquarium-Muséum
Are the aquarium and the museum separate visits?
They are in the same building and are usually seen on the same visit. Check ticket options at the box office.
Is it suitable for small children?
Yes. The tanks are at eye level, and the whale skeleton and the taxidermy animals usually appeal to children.