Lycée Léonie de Waha, Liège

The Lycée Léonie de Waha stands as a modernist architectural masterpiece constructed between 1936 and 1938 by architect Jean Moutschen, featuring white and blue stone facades with minimal openings and clean geometric lines that exemplify the functional design principles of the era.

Founded in 1868 by feminist educator Léonie de Waha as the Institut supérieur de demoiselles, this institution became the first higher education institute dedicated to girls in Liège, later integrated into the public education system in 1878 to ensure free access for young women.

The building houses an extensive collection of artistic works by local Liège artists, including frescos by Auguste Mambour, original mosaics by Adrien Dupagne in the former swimming pool, and stained glass windows created by Marcel Caron throughout various sections of the structure.

The school operates using active Freinet pedagogy since 1998, offering early language immersion programs in English, Dutch, and German, while maintaining modern facilities including the largest festival hall in the city for educational and cultural events.

This institution pioneered women's education in Belgium and survived dramatic historical events including Gestapo occupation during World War II and a recent hostage situation in 2018, while maintaining its innovative educational approach through projects like WAHA TV student web television.

Location: Liège

Website: http://athenee-de-waha.be

GPS coordinates: 50.63619,5.56736

Latest update: July 25, 2025 19:14