The museum

Opened to the public in March 2009, after several years of work, the Grand Curtius, which is located in the historic heart of Liège and on the banks of the Meuse river, is one of the major hubs for museums in Liège. This museum site – which was built around a Mosan Renaissance building, constructed at the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century for Jean de Corte, known as Curtius, a rich arms and gunpowder dealer – has a total surface area of more than 5000 m² and houses exceptional collections of art and history. The Curtius Palace, which was built with red bricks, Meuse stones and mascarons and is a listed building in Wallonia's exceptional heritage, wears its colours beautifully.

Hidden treasures of the Liège Archaeological Institute

Today, nearly six hundred pieces belonging to the Liège Archaeological Institute are on display in the permanent exhibition at the Grand Curtius, with thousands more in storage. A selection of around 250 items, not always the least important, from these reserves will be presented, sometimes for the first time, in the exhibition organised by the Grand Curtius in autumn 2025, to mark the 175th anniversary of the IAL. The primary aim of this exhibition is to showcase the diversity of the collections that have been built up over time thanks to friends of Liège's past who were keen to preserve evidence of that past. 26.09.2025 > 11.01.2026

Françoise Schein. AIPOTU. A portrait in reverse

From 16th May to 31st August 2025, the Grand Curtius will host the ‘AIPOTU’ exhibition devoted to Françoise Schein. This militant plastic artist, who was born in Brussels in 1953, is renowned for her monumental artistic contributions that combine architecture and art, ceramic frescos and other public works, tracing a network between the world’s cities such as Brussels, Liège, Paris, Lisbon, Berlin, Stockholm, London, New York, Ramallah, Haifa, Haiti, Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro, among others. 

ams.TRAM.gram

The “ams.TRAM.gram” exhibition, between heritage and modern creation, will be in residence between 18th April and 29th June 2025 at the Grand Curtius and is a unique collaboration between the museum complex, Helmo Mode and the Diocesan Heritage Department. This exhibition puts the spotlight on 2nd year Bachelor students through an original and inspiring upcycling approach.

Rossini's Cane

Discover the object of the month for October 2025. Given by the sculptor James Pradier to his friend Gioachino Rossini, this cane is a symbol of elegance and refinement, reflecting the talent of Pradier (1790-1852), famous for his precious and delicate creations in the 19th century.