Aquarium-Muséum

Aquarium-Muséum Universitaire de Liège is a combined natural history museum and aquarium run by the University of Liège, in the Belgian region of Wallonia. It sits at the crossroads of science and tourism: on one hand a living zoological archive of the university, on the other a popular attraction for families and nature enthusiasts visiting Liège.

Where do the collections come from?

The roots of the collection go back to 1817, the very founding year of the university. King William I of Orange, who established the university, required it to set up a cabinet of zoology and comparative animal anatomy, and personally donated almost 2,000 mollusc shells that formed the seed of the future collection. In the following decades the holdings were substantially expanded by Jean-Théodore Lacordaire, a zoology professor, rector of the university, and a renowned entomologist, who added specimens of birds, mammals, and fish. The Aquarium-Muséum itself, in the form open to the public, opened its doors in 1962, even though the collections it is built on had already been growing for well over a century.

What can visitors see inside?

Today the institution holds close to 20,000 pieces — preserved and taxidermied animal specimens, skeletons, and, in the aquarium section, living creatures representing the diversity of aquatic life. This combination means a single visit blends the experience of a classic natural history museum with the appeal of an aquarium.

One of the standout parts of the exhibition is the TréZOOr room, inaugurated in June 2017. It guides visitors through the history of the university's natural science collections since 1817 and brings together what are described as the treasures of its zoological heritage — remarkable heritage objects along with remains of animal species that have since gone extinct. It is a space where the history of science intertwines with the story of a changing natural world.

A separate highlight is the collection of Blaschka glass models, unique in Belgium. Crafted with extraordinary precision, these glass reconstructions of marine organisms have long impressed both scientists and casual visitors, showcasing a level of craftsmanship from an era before photography and plastics made such models unnecessary. The collection is rounded out by wax models of animals from the University of Liège — precise morphological teaching aids once used in zoology, anatomy, and embryology courses, now displayed as evidence of earlier teaching methods.

Where and when to visit

The Aquarium-Muséum is located in the heart of Liège, close to the city centre, making it an easily accessible stop on any visit to the city. Opening hours vary by season: in April and October the site is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00; in May, June, and September it is additionally open Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays during the same hours; and in July and August it opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00. It is worth checking the current schedule before a visit, since the exact start and end dates of each seasonal period can shift slightly from year to year.

Who is it for?

The Aquarium-Muséum Universitaire de Liège appeals both to families with children and to anyone interested in the history of science and natural history collecting. The blend of living aquariums with historical cabinets of curiosities gives the visit real educational substance without losing the feel of an entertaining outing — a rare combination that sets this institution apart from other natural history museums in the region.