Liège, Belgium

Capital City

Liège may be a historic and culturally rich city, but with a population of 195,278, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the winters can be bitterly cold. The former industrial backbone of Wallonia, Liège still boasts economic diversity, from aerospace to chocolate, though its glory days as a steel powerhouse have faded. Despite recent efforts at revitalization, the city remains scarred by occasional unrest, like the 1961 general strike that saw troops wade through barricades to restore order. Liège is for those drawn to its gritty, blue-collar charm, willing to navigate its challenges, rather than seeking a polished, tourist-friendly experience.