Le Forum

Le Forum is a historic performance hall in the centre of Liège, standing on rue Pont d'Avroy and regarded as one of Wallonia's most important cultural venues. Built in Art Deco style, it opened at the end of September 1922, designed by architect Jean Lejaer. Ever since, the hall has remained at the heart of the city's cultural life, adapting its role across the decades from a cinema into a concert and theatre stage.

What does the building of Le Forum look like?

The façade draws attention with elaborate sculpted decoration — floral motifs and a frieze depicting ten allegorical figures in bas-relief, each symbolising a different form of the performing arts. The interior is equally striking: 386 restored stained-glass panels have survived inside, and the space is lit by around 15,000 light bulbs that highlight the friezes, mouldings and chandeliers. Because of its historical and artistic value, the building has been listed as exceptional heritage of the Walloon Region.

What role does the hall play today?

Le Forum is a modular venue that can be adapted to events of different scales, seating between 600 and 2,000 people depending on configuration. Since 1989 it has served as the flagship entertainment venue of Wallonia, hosting concerts, theatre productions, musicals, ballet performances and comedy shows for audiences from Liège and across the wider Euroregion.

Which artists have performed at Le Forum?

Over the decades, the stage of Le Forum has welcomed some of the biggest names in twentieth-century music. Performers here have included Jacques Brel, Léo Ferré, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Barbara and Charles Aznavour. This roster illustrates how significant a place the hall holds in the history of the European music and stage scene, spanning jazz, French chanson and some of the most acclaimed performers of their eras.

Why is Le Forum worth visiting while in Liège?

For visitors exploring Liège, Le Forum links architectural history with a living cultural scene. The building itself, with its richly decorated façade and stained-glass-filled interior, exemplifies the attention to detail typical of 1920s Art Deco design. At the same time, the hall still operates according to its original purpose — it is not a museum or a sealed-off monument, but an active venue for live performances, letting visitors see how historic architecture continues to coexist with a contemporary cultural programme.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Le Forum located? The hall stands on rue Pont d'Avroy in the centre of Liège.

How many people can the hall seat? Depending on the configuration, between 600 and 2,000 spectators.

When was the building constructed? It opened at the end of September 1922.

What kind of events take place at Le Forum? Concerts, theatre productions, musicals, ballet and comedy shows.

Is the building a protected heritage site? Yes, it is listed as exceptional heritage of the Walloon Region.