Saint-Jacques Church

You’re now on Place Saint-Jacques, standing before one of Liège’s greatest religious treasures: the Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur. Its history stretches back more than a thousand years. First built in 1015 as the abbey church of a major Benedictine monastery, it later became a collegiate church in the eighteenth century, and after the French Revolution was turned into a parish church. Through all these changes, it has always held an important place in the city’s life. What strikes you right away is the remarkable mix of styles. The portal, created in 1558 by the renowned artist Lambert Lombard, is a masterpiece of Mosan Renaissance art. Step inside, and suddenly you’re surrounded by the flamboyant Gothic of the sixteenth century, with soaring vaults and a luminous nave stretching 90 meters long. The church holds true treasures: eight Baroque limewood sculptures by Jean Del Cour, one of Liège’s greatest artists, as well as an outstanding collection of Renaissance stained glass. Among these is the famous “Window of the 32 Trades,” which portrays the city’s medieval guilds and offers a rare glimpse into sixteenth-century society. You can also admire a Renaissance organ with a case dating back to 1600. Classified as a historic monument since 1936 and listed among Wallonia’s exceptional heritage since 2022, Saint-Jacques is more than just a church—it’s a showcase of Liège’s history, art, and memory. Step inside if you can: bathed in light, its interior reveals the full splendor of one of Belgium’s most remarkable religious buildings.