On Huy's central Grand-Place, an 18th-century copper fountain known as Li Bassinia stands in front of the elegant neoclassical Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) from the same period -- with any luck you'll be on hand when the Town Hall carillon rings out "Brave Liégeois," as it does every hour.
The 14th-century Gothic Collégiale (Collegiate Church) Notre-Dame, parvis Théoduin de Bavière (tel. 085/21-29-15), on the Meuse's east bank, is famed for its magnificent stained-glass windows, including Li Rondia, a beautiful rose window, and other windows in the choir. Its Trésor (Treasury) contains the Romanesque reliquaries of St. Domitien and St. Mengold, and many items in chiseled copper. The Treasury is open April to the start of June the first Saturday and Sunday in the month from 2 to 5pm, and July to the end of September Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5pm. Admission to the church is free; visiting the Treasury is 3€ ($4.80) for adults, 2€ ($3.20) for students and seniors, and free for children 11 and under.
The Musée Communal (Town Museum), rue Vankeerberghen 20 (tel. 085/23-24-35), a few blocks northeast of the Grand-Place in a 17th-century former monastery of the Friars Minor, displays local metalwork and glass objects. Its finest single piece is the wood crucifix from 1240 known as the Beau Dieu de Huy (Good Lord of Huy). The museum is open mid-May to September Monday to Friday from 2 to 4pm, and weekends from 2 to 6pm; and October to mid-May Monday to Friday from 2 to 4pm. Admission is 3€ ($4.80) for adults, 2€ ($3.20) for seniors and students, 1€ ($1.60) for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.
A Hilltop Citadel -- Huy is dominated by the Fort de Huy, chaussée Napoléon (tel. 085/21-53-34), which affords marvelous views of the town, the river below, and the Roi Baudouin suspension bridge across the Meuse. The fort was constructed in 1818 on the site of earlier castles and forts that date back to the Gallo-Roman period at the very least. In World War II, the Nazis used it as a concentration camp; a museum on the site explains that history and also about the Belgian Resistance. You can reach the fort on foot or by téléphérique (cable car; tel. 085/21-18-82) from the riverside at the corner of rue d'Amérique and rue d'Arsin. Cable-car fare is 3.50€ ($5.60) for a one-way ticket and 4.50€ ($7.20) round-trip for adults, 2€ ($3.20) one-way and 2.50€ ($4) round-trip for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. The fort is open July and August daily from 11am to 7pm; in late March to June and September, hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 12:30pm and 1 to 4:30pm, and weekends from 11am to 6pm. Admission is 4€ ($6.40) for adults, 3.50€ (5.60) for children ages 6 to 13, and free for children 5 and under.
Huy's quaint narrow streets are great for walking. Take note of the stone bas-reliefs on tiny arcaded rue des Cloîtres that runs along the side of Notre-Dame church. For a stroll through the town's history, start on Grand-Place and walk down rue des Rôtisseurs, rue des Augustins, and rue Vierset-Godin.
A River Cruise -- Take a minicruise on the Meuse River from Huy onboard the Val Mosan (tel. 085/21-29-15), which sails from quai de Namur in front of the tourist office. Departures May to August are Tuesday to Sunday (and Mon on holidays) at 2, 3, and 4:30pm; and September, Saturday and Sunday at 2, 3, and 4:30pm. Tickets are 4€ ($6.40) for adults, 3.50€ ($5.60) for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.
High Times -- A welcome break for children awaits at the Mont Mosan Leisure Park, plaine de la Sarte (tel. 085/23-29-96; www.montmosan.be), reachable by road and by the cable car to the Fort de Huy, referred to above. The park has sea lions, rides, games, and a resident clown. It's open April to September daily from 10am to 8pm, and in October on weekends from 10am to 8pm. Admission is 6€ ($9.60) per person.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
