Huy

Huy combines impressive architecture, places of remembrance, river experiences and active days on the Meuse RAVeL. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Huy can therefore plan their stay in many different ways: with church art and urban history, a cycling loop of approximately 25 kilometres or a one-hour cruise on the Meuse.

Discover culture and history in Huy

One striking feature is Li Rondia, the largest surviving Gothic rose window in Belgium. It dates from 1508, measures 6 metres across on the inside and 9 metres on the outside. The Collégiale Notre-Dame et Saint-Domitien also displays several eras: the building was constructed in several phases from 1311 to 1536 and combines 14th-century Rayonnant Gothic with 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic. The treasury is on display in the Romanesque crypt. Its most significant pieces include four reliquary shrines of Mosan goldsmithery from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Historical exploration of the city also includes Li Bassinia, a fountain built in 1406 that is listed as exceptional heritage of Wallonia, as well as the Maison Nokin in the Gothic and Renaissance style of the early 16th century. It houses the Fondation culturelle Bolly-Charlier, which regularly organises exhibitions. The Maison près la Tour is considered Huy’s oldest house and is an example of civic Gothic architecture from the late 13th and 14th centuries.

Fort de Huy was built between 1818 and 1823 by the Dutch on the site of the former castle. Today, it is a Second World War memorial site and preserves, among other things, cells, an interrogation room, prisoners’ rooms and basic washrooms. The Musée communal is located in the former Franciscan monastery. It covers the activities of Huy’s inhabitants from prehistory to the present day and focuses particularly on fine art and crafts. It also presents archaeological, ethnographic and industrial-archaeological objects.

The Meuse, cycle paths and special viewpoints

For a more active holiday, the completely flat Huy–Andenne–Wanze–Huy loop on the Meuse RAVeL is a good choice. It is approximately 25 kilometres long and starts at the tourist office in Huy. The Meuse RAVeL reaches the city along the right bank and is intended for pedestrians, cyclists, people with reduced mobility and horse riders. The Val Mosan boat offers another interesting perspective: the one-hour cruise showcases Huy and the special features of both riverbanks. The landing stage is located at Quai de Namur 1, opposite the collegiate church and the tourist office.

The tour exploring Vieux Huy can also be included in your day’s itinerary. It begins at Place Verte, which can be reached from the Grand-Place via two picturesque lanes running alongside the town hall. The Huy cable car has two cabins with 14 places each, including three seats in each cabin. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility and to non-electric bicycles.

Choose the right base for your trip

When choosing your accommodation, you can consider which experiences should be the focus of your stay. For those interested in culture, the collegiate church, treasury, museum, fort and historic houses take centre stage. Those who prefer physical activity can plan the flat Meuse RAVeL loop or the riverside cycle path. Huy is also connected to major Belgian and European railway stations via the Walloon backbone between Namur and Liège; Namur and Liège can be reached in around 20 minutes.

The Huy vineyards are also part of the local character. A visit to the Vignoble des Hautes Vignes includes an introduction to its history, explanations of winegrowing, a presentation of the wine and a tasting. Visits to the Huy vineyards take place by arrangement with the individual winegrowers. This allows you to use your holiday apartment as a starting point for very different days without committing to just one way of travelling.

Those wishing to combine Huy with other destinations can also keep Tihange in mind. For further regional orientation, Vieuxville, Grâce-Hollogne, Chaudfontaine, Kelmis, Theux, Sougné-Remouchamps and Eupen are also good options.

For the broader travel overview: Liège.