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Neighborhood · Liège, Liège
Outremeuse
A popular neighbourhood on the island between the Mosa and the Ourthe, home to Tchantchès and to Georges Simenon's childhood. On 15 August it hosts Liège's largest folk festival.
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 Outremeuse
Outremeuse, literally beyond the Mosa, is the neighbourhood that occupies the island formed between the river's main arm and the Ourthe, opposite the historic centre. Traditionally working-class, residents see it as the most liégeois part of Liège, and jokingly it proclaimed itself the Free Republic of Outremeuse.
It is the neighbourhood of Tchantchès, the puppet that became a symbol of the city. A 1936 stone-and-bronze sculpture on the corner of rue Pont-Saint-Nicolas shows a miner holding the puppet, and a monument to the character stands in the heart of the neighbourhood. There is also a small museum dedicated to him, with puppet theatre.
The writer Georges Simenon, creator of Commissaire Maigret, spent his childhood in Outremeuse and described its streets in the novel Pedigree. A bust of him stands on the Place du Congrès, and a walking route passes the places mentioned in the books.
Around 15 August, the day of Our Lady, the neighbourhood holds its biggest festival, with a folk parade, a mass in Walloon, a procession of the Black Virgin, blessing of couples and stalls in the streets. The festival usually lasts several days and draws crowds.
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
One to two hours to walk the main streets, see the statues of Tchantchès and the bust of Simenon.
Best time
Mid-August, during the festival, if you enjoy crowds and folklore. The rest of the year, afternoons are quiet for a stroll and a café stop.
How to get there
On foot from the centre, crossing the Mosa via the Passerelle or the Pont des Arches, from the Quai de la Batte. It takes about ten minutes from the Place Saint-Lambert.
Tip
If it's a Sunday, cross after visiting the La Batte market on the opposite bank. At the 15 August festival the streets fill up and péket flows freely: enjoy the parade and drink in moderation.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Outremeuse
When is the Outremeuse festival?
Around August 15, with programming over several days. Check the dates for the year before you go.
Was Simenon born in Outremeuse?
He was born in Liège and spent his childhood in Outremeuse, a neighborhood that appears in the novel Pedigree.