C’ èst por twè, Lîbèrté, qui Lîdje s’ a rècrèsté
It’s for you, Liberty, That Liege has raised its head
Liège has many symbols, such as Li Torê, the marionette Tchantchès and Guillemins station, but the Perron surpasses them all! Dating back to the Middle Ages, it has been the symbol of the city’s freedoms ever since. The Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, made no mistake in having it dismantled in 1467, as it was a clear signal to the people of Liège that they should submit. Its return ten years later marked the end of the Burgundians’ hold on Liège and the restoration of freedom. Unsurprisingly, it occupies a central position in the city’s coat of arms. It can be seen in many places, sometimes accompanied by the words ‘Lidjwès, fîr dî l’ èsse èt dèl mostrer’. This translates as “Citizen of Liège, proud to be and to show it’, and serves to reinforce the symbolism of this monument.
Like the fountain, the Perron was rebuilt by Jean Del Cour in the late 17th century. Several parts have been replaced over the centuries, with some, such as the Three Graces group, now on display at the Grand Curtius museum.
In fact, the term ‘Perron’ only refers to the upper part of the monument. Liège is not the only city to have one. Many other cities in the former Principality of Liège still proudly display their own perron as a symbol of their freedoms.