Saint Lambert Galleries

The Galeries Saint-Lambert, from the Grand Bazar to modern shopping

On the Liège audio-guided tour, here you are in front of the Galeries Saint-Lambert, one of the busiest shopping spots in the city, right in the heart of the square that shares its name. This shopping centre now gathers nearly forty stores and draws several million visitors each year.

The legacy of the Grand Bazar

The story begins in 1885 with the opening of the Grand Bazar, a vast store that sold everything. A true institution, it employed up to three thousand staff, and its façade, inspired by Venetian architecture, left a lasting mark on the cityscape. After it closed in 1977, the site lay abandoned for more than twenty years before being reborn. Renovated and enlarged, the Galeries Saint-Lambert reopened in 2004.

What there is to see

The centre now blends historic elements with contemporary architecture. You find a major fashion store, many shops and bright spaces opening onto Place Saint-Lambert. For the stroller, the appeal lies in this contrast between the legacy of nineteenth-century Liège retail and the modern volumes grafted on in the early 2000s.

Practical information

The Galeries Saint-Lambert are on Place Saint-Lambert, in central Liège. The shops usually open Monday to Saturday, some stores offering extended hours; Sunday opening varies from shop to shop. Access is on the level from the square.

What was sold in the Grand Bazar?

Opened in 1885, the Grand Bazar was a vast store that sold everything. It employed up to three thousand people and drew customers from across the region before closing in 1977.

When did the galleries reopen?

After more than twenty years of abandonment, the renovated and enlarged site reopened in 2004 as the Galeries Saint-Lambert, combining historic features and contemporary architecture.