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Monument · Liège, Liège
Gare de Liège-Guillemins
Liège railway station, designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2009. The arched roof of steel, glass and white concrete has no closed façade and serves both as an arrival gate and as a postcard image.
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 Gare de Liège-Guillemins
Gare de Liège-Guillemins is Liège's main railway station and, for many visitors, the first image of the city. The current building was designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and came into operation in September 2009, on the same site where a station had stood since 1842.
The project dispenses with the traditional façade. A large vault of steel and glass, supported by white concrete arches, covers the five platforms and extends beyond them. The ensemble is symmetrical and was conceived to connect two sides of the city that the tracks separated: the 19th-century neighbourhood to the north and the residential hill of Cointe to the south. The arches were assembled beside the site and pushed into place during the night, without stopping train traffic.
Under the platforms, a concourse brings together the ticket office, food outlets and shops. High-speed trains linking Bruxelas to the German border and Walloon regional trains pass through here, including those to Pepinster and Verviers on the way to Spa.
Outside, an open esplanade leads toward the Mosa. Crossing the river by a pedestrian footbridge brings you to the park where the museum La Boverie is located, making the station a good starting point for a riverside walk.
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 20 to 40 minutes to stroll the concourse, the platforms and the esplanade at a relaxed pace and take photos.
Best time
With natural light, in the morning or mid-afternoon, the white structure photographs best. At night, the internal lighting highlights the arches. As an active station, peak commuting times do make the platforms crowded.
How to get there
It is the arrival station for those coming by train from Bruxelas or from Germany. From the historic centre, about 2 kilometres to the north, there are buses and the tram that runs along the Mosa riverbank.
Tip
To see the whole ensemble, step out onto the esplanade and look back, or climb the footbridges that cross over the tracks. If you plan to go to La Boverie, you can store your luggage in a station locker and walk across the river footbridge.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gare de Liège-Guillemins
Who designed the station?
The Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, who worked on the project for more than a decade until it opened in 2009.
Is the station far from the center?
It is about 2 kilometers from the historic center. You can get there by bus, tram, or on foot in a little over half an hour.