Liège, city in eastern Belgium, capital of Liège Province, on the River Meuse. The city is one of the most important river ports in Europe and the transport and industrial centre of eastern Belgium. The chief industrial products include armaments, chemicals, glass, rubber, electronic equipment, and cutlery. Liège is the site of the 10th-century church of St Paul and the church of St Denis. A third old church, the 8th-century cathedral of St Lambert, was removed from the city by the French in 1808. Also in Liège are the University of Liège (1817); the 16th-century Palace of Justice, former residence of the ruling prince-bishops; and several archaeological and art museums.

Liège was founded in the 8th century as a bishopric. The city was thereafter the scene of a long struggle between the prince-bishops and the burghers. In 1468 it was sacked by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. In 1794 the city was occupied by the French, and in 1815 it was annexed to the Netherlands. Fifteen years later the citizens of Liège fomented the revolution that led in 1831 to the independence of Belgium. During World War I the city was heavily fortified, but from August 5 to August 16, 1914, it was besieged and finally captured by the German army. During World War II, the city was again occupied by German forces. Liège was heavily damaged by rocket fire during the Battle of the Bulge. Population 188,907 (2007 estimate).