ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BELGIUM WITH KIDS
BEST INTERACTIVE MUSEUM IN BELGIUM
INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION & ANTHROPOLOGY FOR KIDS
For kids above 5 yrs onwards, this is perhaps the best place to introduce evolution, geography, physics, anthropology, archaeology and more, in a very very interesting, attention-grabbing way. This is Préhistomuseum in Flémalle, Liège.
As I mentioned in the last post, it was raining too much the day we went and to see Préhistomuseum, which in a complete sense would take an entire day. We were there for a few hours and within that, I knew I had to come back here when Atyudarini is a bit older.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO SPEND AT PRÉHISTOMUSUEM?
Do you need an entire day to visit Préhistomuseum in Flémalle, Liège, Belgium? Why did I mention this as a 'day-trip' from Liege? Well, 'not really' if you're an adult; but if you have younger kids, esp., around 5-12 year old kids, you definitely need an entire day at Préhistomuseum, Belgium.
THINGS TO DO IN PRÉHISTOMUSEUM, FLÉMELLE
The primary thing is that the museum is not entirely inside; it is sprawling over a huge space that spans over greenery, water, and even a cave! The entire place has been set up to make it as much interactive as possible. The various sections have been named A to G, with G aptly being Grotto which means cave, my most favourite spot. So let me start with that.
CAVE OF RAMIOUL - RAMIOUL GROTTES
The cave of Ramioul (area G) is a rather interesting place and with the rain, it felt like we were in a tropical rainforest than the middle of Belgium! The entrance to the cave is made of a few steps, today. However, originally the cave was formed due to constant dripping of water which caused erosion and corrosion. Again the cave is not in just 1 level but in 2 levels. The visit begins with the lower level, where during the stone-age, a river ran! A few skeletal remains of some animals have been retrieved here. However its believed that no animal would have lived here, but the river would have brought the remains and deposited them here.Also Read: Other caves to visit in Belgium - Domaine des Grottes de Han; Grotte de Lorette, Rochefort; Grottes Merveilluese, Dinant; Grotte de Hotton near Durbuy
Unusual wedding destinations in Belgium / couple photoshoot locations in Belgium - Ramioul Grottes: Quite amusingly at a point of the cave, here is a wedding gown in display! Well, an archaeologist who worked here, got so immersed in the exquisiteness of this place and decided to get married here. No, that gown isn't her wedding gown. It is merely symbolic. Sooooo, how much of an explorer are you and your fiance? Would you want to get married inside a cave? Even otherwise, this cave and the entire Préhistomuseum landscape is one of the best locations for a pre-wedding / couple photoshoot in Belgium as well!
Further ahead after a few more twists are turns inside the cave, is the spiral staircase to reach the upper level which is where human dwelling happened. Here are some interesting stalactites and stalagmites. Looking at the lighting here, I really couldn't help but be reminded of Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh, India which was a severe disappointment in the way it was lighted with multicoloured lights. I wish they maintained it like this!
RECONSTRUCTIONS OF PREHISTORIC DWELLING & LIFESTYLE
The next place we visited was the area D for its Reconstructions. This is where we could try to live a life as how a prehistoric man would have lived. Various types of reconstructed prehistoric dwellings are here for us to explore including a tipi, treehouse, houses made of wood & mud etc. There are also some reconstructed dolmens & menhirs. Also read: The real dolmens & menhirs of Wéris, near Durbuy, Belgium
Various tasks could be done in accordance with the interest, physical ability, age and time like polishing stones, make terracotta pottery etc. We were pressed for time and the best we could do was to try, create fire with flints and dried leaves! The first strike of the flints together gave out the burning smell that brought back so many memories of my school days when I used pebbles to rub together to create sparks of fire so many times! It was Mr.V this time to tried his hand on it and it was a very very very special moment - the reason? It was the first-ever time Atyudarini saw fire with her own eyes!!! She did try to touch it, but I didn't let her. But then, just like everyone else, she too would touch fire someday like everyone else and learn for sure that fire burns! There is really no other way of learning it!!!
Watch the video above to see us experimenting with fire and the expression of me & Atyudarini on seeing fire!
ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM - PERMANENT COLLECTIONS OF PRÉHISTOMUSEUM
Another place within this vast expanse of a museum we managed to visit was the indoor permanent exhibition called their Prehistory in Perspective (area B). This, of course, had various bones, skeletons, tools etc of the era including splints from Spiennes, iron age swords, patterned pottery etc. I was guided by Mr.Leonard who interned at Spiennes! Also in this indoor region serves as the venue for various other events, temporary exhibition, workshops etc as well.
ARCHEOBISTROT - WHERE TO EAT IN FLÉMALLE, LIÈGE
We reached Préhistomuseum during lunchtime and so, our first stop was, of course, the ArcheoBistrot, the inhouse restaurant in the museum (area A). As the name goes, its a very 'archaeology' based restaurant. No, they are not into raw food and pre-historic food. It is more like 'inspired by pre-historic period'. The actual food in fact included even a burger and fries! Archeobistrot is definitely one of the best restaurants in Liège that also serves vegetarian food. Here's a thing - Indian Vegetarian means its eggless, Belgian vegetarian includes eggs & fish. So be very specific on your food requirements. Yes, being a special food, to cater to our special needs, it did take a bit of time to finally reach our tables. So be prepared to wait. It is worth it!WHAT WE MISSED IN PRÉHISTOMUSEUM, FLÉMALLE, LIÈGE
Other sections in the museum include a botanical maze in area E, hunting experience in area C (obviously no, not real animals; it is more like an archery and spear throwing experience to try hit the lifesized sculptures of mammoth, bear, rhino, bison, fox etc), farm experience in area F (including a long barefoot walk experience and see first animals that were domesticated by man and experience how prehistoric man would have walked about). Prehistomuseum is one of the best animal farms to visit in Belgium, especially for kids. Sadly, being pressed for time and with the never-ending rain, we couldn't visit these when we went. Hopefully another time! Let's see!!!MY COMPLETE LIEGE TRAVELOGUE:
Other places to visit in Liège in Wallonia, Belgium - Blegny Mine, Prehistomuseum, Val Saint Lambert - Cristal Discovery, Liège Citadel & Hillsides, Montagne de Bueren, Guillemins Railway Station, Saint-Barthélemy Collegiate Church
PRÉHISTOMUSEUM MAP
Pic Courtesy: Prehistomuseum (used here with permission)
LIÈGE HOTELS
There are no Flémalle hotels per se. Liège hotels & B&Bs at all price points are available in Liège City Centre. Here’s my review of Hotel Neuvice, a renovated old building, where I stayed.
HOW TO REACH PRÉHISTOMUSEUM, FLÉMALLE, LIÈGE
Where is Préhistomuseum (On Google Maps): Préhisto Museum
How to reach Préhistomuseum from Liège Guillemins by car: 19 km on N617
How to reach Préhistomuseum from Liège Guillemins by bus: DeLijn bus route 9 goes directly but its frequency is only once every hour with 35 mins travel time.
PRÉHISTOMUSEUM TICKETS
Préhistomuseum ticket price: €15 online; €19 onsite
Préhistomuseum ticket price: €15 online; €19 onsite
Tickets can be bought online at the official website of Préhisto Museum
Free for Museumpassmusees holders, but time slot has to be booked on the official website.
PRÉHISTOMUSEUM OPENING HOURS
Open every day except Mondays.
Préhistomuseum Timings - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (6:00 PM in summers)
Préhistomuseum Timings - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (6:00 PM in summers)
P.S: I was invited by Liège Tourisme and Wallonia Tourism to experience the city for review purposes, however, the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.
This kind of museum is more of experiential than just seeing the artifacts inside a closed glass case. You always amazed us with your unique travelogue!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is both exciting and a bit scary. Also, I love your travel stories. They are unique and very interesting. I am such a fan. Looking forward to more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a prehistoric cave! And you're right that we forget sometimes to ask about the definition of specific terms like "vegetarian" in a country. Looks like this was fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool and interesting museum, I'd never have guessed it was in Belgium! Not sure I'd get married down there, but we're all different! So interesting to experience how a prehistoric man/woman would have lived too!
ReplyDeleteWow, this museum looks fascinating. I'm sure my kids would love it. Although it looks more like a place one would find somewhere in tropical Asia, not in Belgium. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome!!! I wish we had a museum like this where Im at. You just gave me a new bucketlist item. It'd be cool to learn this as you self guide through the tour, and I love the "start a fire" part not sure I'd b able too
ReplyDeleteI must say, these museums are very unique. I haven't seen or can imagine going inside a cave to see such unique items. And I am sure I'll be lost in that maze but would love to know more about the farm experience.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! What a fun museum experience this must've been!!! I love how interactive it is and that you got to explore the surrounding green space not to mention you actually built a fire yourselves as well. Definitely changes my perception of museums and I'd for sure be interested in checking this out myself!
ReplyDeleteAtyudarini sounds a beautiful name.
ReplyDeleteSo many subjects (geography, physics, anthropology, archaeology ) in one place caught my interest almost instantly. The caves indeed look like Borra caves. That thing about wedding gown sounds fun. I am always intrigued by prehistoric things. I liked all the action here. Thanks for sharing.
You never stop exploring, do you? Now you made into the caves. There is so much in Belgium to see.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of experiential museum. Trying to live a life of a prehistoric man sounds not only fun but educative as well.
ReplyDeletePS: Wondering what does Atyudarini mean? Lovely name. :-)
I have visited a few museums where anthropological evolution is displayed but all of those are in manmade theme parks. This one is made in a cave which makes it a fabulous combination. Must be a great place for kids who have just started reading about these.
ReplyDeletephotos are showing the beauty of that place... thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to have a great outdoor trip while learning a lot about prehistory. The fact that all of this is also family friendly is truly a great plus!
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sounds like an incredible experience. Keep sharing such amazing stories and keep inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting museum, showcasing the lives of prehistoric men.
ReplyDeleteHi @Bhushavali, have you been to Bora Caves in India. I feel this Prehistomuseum have a similar feel to it but it is true that the Bora Caves are not properly maintained. I kind of felt suffocated when I was roaming around the caves. I hope that was not the case in the Prehistomuseum ?
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DeleteHi Bhushavali, have you been to Bora Caves in India. I feel this Prehistomuseum have a similar feel to it but it is true that the Bora Caves are not properly maintained. I kind of felt suffocated when I was roaming around the caves. I hope that was not the case in the Prehistomuseum ?
Such an interesting and interactive museum!
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed to see, how you discover ancient sites and that too with your little one. It must be interesting to go inside 2 layered caves and explore those ancient ruins of human traces. I would also love to have lunch at archaeology museum restaurant but Indian vegetarian one.
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