Living in Sainte-Marguerite or Saint-Laurent

On the heights west of the centre, above place Saint-Lambert: Sainte-Marguerite, a working-class street that climbs, and Saint-Laurent, a more residential plateau. Hills, a neighbourhood in the middle of renovation, and the centre at the bottom of the street.

The neighbourhood

Going up from place Saint-Lambert, the Saint-Martin basilica, at the top of the Publémont, marks the entrance to the neighbourhood. Sainte-Marguerite is a working-class shopping street that climbs westwards, Saint-Laurent a more residential plateau, around the former abbey of the same name. Between the two lies the Sainte-Agathe park, with its community vegetable garden.

The neighbourhood is in the middle of renovation: since 2016, the City has been redeveloping squares, housing blocks and green spaces there, a programme planned until around 2030. Expect some building sites depending on the street, and archaeological digs on the abbey site.

Getting around

• On foot, the centre is at the bottom of the street, but you feel the climb back: many streets are steep, and often cobbled.
• Buses 53 and 61 go down rue Saint-Laurent to place Saint-Lambert.
• The train: the new Saint-Lambert station, opened in 2025 on the former Cadran car park, is at the foot of the hill.
• For Guillemins or the Sart-Tilman, get off at Saint-Lambert and take the tram to the station, then the B2.

Everyday life

No college in the neighbourhood itself: people live here and go down every day to the centre, place du XX Août or the station. The shops on rue Sainte-Marguerite cover the essentials, the centre does the rest.

Housing

Flatshares hold a big place here, often for four people or more, alongside kots and studios.

For whom?

A good choice if you have classes in the centre, if you like working-class, lively neighbourhoods, and if hills don't scare you.

Less suited if you get around by bike or often come home late on foot: the climb is steep, especially at the end of the evening.

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