Conscious enjoyment, that's the new Burgundian life
Maastricht is known for its burgundian character. The good life is in our DNA here. We like to enjoy ourselves, paying attention to taste, quality and togetherness. But the bourgondic lifestyle is taking on a new meaning these days: more and more people are consciously opting for sustainable, honest and healthy. This is how the new Burgundian lifestyle is born. Enjoyment without making concessions to your values. A place where you can experience this to the full is Gedeelde Weelde in the Sphinx Quarter.
Gedeelde Weelde is a cooperative shop organised around the principles of earth care, people care and fair share. Chantal Febvre, entrepreneur and board member, explains: "With everything we do, we want to add value to the lives of our members and to the community as a whole. That is why we are a cooperative. Members jointly decide on the big picture and together we provide the money to exist independently. Day-to-day responsibility lies with the entrepreneurial members, but all members have a say in the direction. Everyone who works here as a volunteer is a member. We really do make the shop together."
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Gedeelde Weelde
Gedeelde Weelde
At Gedeelde Weelde in Maastricht, you can taste the power of local, sustainable and honest products - a place where community and taste come together. More info on Gedeelde Weelde
As soon as you enter the shop on the ground floor of the Eiffel building, it seems as if the pace of the city slows down for a moment. On the shelves are fresh breads, regional cheeses, colourful vegetables and plenty of local produce. As much as possible comes from farmers and producers who work consciously: small-scale, sustainable and fair. There is also a coffee corner. Chantal: "People come not only for our range, but also for the atmosphere. You can take your time, there is room for a chat and we know many customers by name. It's a meeting place for those who want to, but of course you can also just do your quick shopping."
Selected with care
"At Gedeelde Gedeelde Weelde , we want to make it easy to shop consciously," Chantal continues. "About every product we think: does this fit with our vision? If the answer is yes, it enters the shop. We don't want to exclude anyone and be a shop for everyone. That's why we have gluten-free and vegan products, for example, and even a budget line.
We also sell meat and wine, but always selected with care. We work with farmers who pay great attention to animal welfare and our wines are sustainably produced. In this way, healthy choices do not become a compromise, but a conscious form of enjoyment."
Furthermore, Gedeelde Weelde not only looks at the origin, but also at the distance products travel from farmer to plate. "We try to keep food miles as low as possible. In that respect, we have a unique location in Maastricht. There is a lot of choice in producers of fair and quality products here, including in Belgium and Germany."
Not more, but better
According to Chantal, the new Burgundian lifestyle is all about choosing with attention. Not more, but better. "Honest ingredients, as little processed as possible, and knowing where your food comes from. The success of Gedeelde Weelde shows me that awareness is growing. People want to know what's on their plate and where it comes from.
That is why we regularly organise activities for members and customers: from cooking with seaweed to a wild-picking walk. This is how we make it tangible. And ultimately, Burgundian enjoyment is always about quality and taste. Organic products are really tastier and more nutritious."
More new Burgundian life
Besides 'her' Gedeelde Weelde, Chantal has two more tips for experiencing the new burgundian life in Maastricht.
Harry's
At Brasserie Harry's, the focus is on seasonal and regional, in collaboration with local suppliers and producers. Since 2024, they have been growing their own sustainable harvest at Hoeve Kesselt, just across the border in Belgium.
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Harry's
Harry's
International brasserie in Wyck for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Harry's stands for relaxed eating and drinking in an informal and dynamic setting. More about Harry's
Harvest Hub
A new caterer on Boschstraat. Many of the ingredients are grown on their own nature-friendly family farm and the rest comes from trusted local farmers and suppliers.
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Harvest Hub
Harvest Hub
Caterer and lunch spot offering healthy, sustainable meals, prepared with local ingredients and a focus on quality and freshness. More info on Harvest Hub
