House of Science

House of Science (Maison de la Science) is a museum belonging to the University of Liège, dedicated to making science accessible and engaging. It sits on the bank of the Meuse river, occupying part of the right wing of one of the Trasenster institutes — the Institute of Zoology — and shares its premises with the Aquarium-Museum of Liège.

What is this place?

It is one of the first permanent institutions in Belgium whose mission is the promotion and popularization of science for all audiences, regardless of age or background. The museum was founded in 1986 and has spent more than three decades delighting visitors with hands-on experiments and scientific demonstrations.

What can visitors see?

The exhibition highlights practical applications of discoveries in biology, chemistry, and physics. Among the featured experiences are demonstrations involving electricity (a Faraday cage), experiments with liquid nitrogen, and displays exploring sound, mechanics, and optics. Visitors can explore scientific phenomena through holograms, optical illusions, automated experiment stations, and multimedia terminals.

What is the history behind the collection?

The museum's collection began forming in 1986, when its first components were electrotechnical objects and instruments from the Montefiore collection. Over time these were joined by Reuleaux kinematic models, a collection of holograms, gynaecological instruments, and minerals from the Laboratory of Mineralogy. Today the collection comprises roughly 1,500 pieces dating from the 18th to the 21st century, documenting a wide range of scientific and technical heritage from the University of Liège across fields such as medicine, engineering, acoustics, physiology, pharmacy, and mineralogy.

What are some of the most notable exhibits?

Among the collection's most remarkable pieces are Blaschka glass animal models and specimens of extinct species, including the passenger pigeon and the thylacine, displayed in the museum's "TréZOOr" room.

Can it be visited together with other attractions?

Since April 2022, the House of Science has offered a combined admission ticket with the Aquarium-Museum and the University of Liège's Museum Hub. A single ticket grants access to the House of Science itself, as well as the aquarium, the TréZOOr room, the botany and evolution galleries, the planetarium, and the temporary exhibition halls.

When is it open?

Opening hours vary throughout the year. In April and October, the museum is open Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00. From May to June and in September, it is open Tuesday through Sunday, as well as on public holidays, during the same hours. In July and August, the museum welcomes visitors every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs the House of Science? The museum is part of the University of Liège and belongs to its museum network, the Museum Hub.

Where exactly is it located? On the bank of the Meuse river, in a building shared with the Aquarium-Museum of Liège, within the right wing of one of the Trasenster institutes.

Does the ticket include other attractions? Yes — since 2022, a combined ticket also grants access to the aquarium, the TréZOOr room, the botany and evolution galleries, the planetarium, and temporary exhibitions.

How many objects does the collection hold? Around 1,500 objects dating from the 18th to the 21st century, spanning electrotechnical equipment, kinematic models, holograms, medical instruments, and minerals.