Recently, someone asked French-born Egbert Ausems if he misses his hometown of Strasbourg. 'No, I am not homesick,' was his firm answer. He was a little shocked himself, because: who doesn't feel homesick for their roots? According to Egbert, it is because of the many similarities between the two cities. And the French influences that can still be felt in Maastricht today. Let this Frenchman take you along the shreds of France.
From Alsace-to Maastricht
Egbert was born in Alsace and grew up in Strasbourg. After completing his Baccalauréat B, he decided to continue his studies in the Netherlands and ended up in Maastricht. He graduated Baccalaureus Translationis in 1998, met his great love here and continued to live in Maastricht. Nowadays, Egbert gives guided tours as Official Maastricht Guide at Maastricht Underground and Explore Maastricht. He also teaches French at a secondary school and runs his own catering company, Plat du Jour.
" I grew up as a burgundian and therefore feel at home in Maastricht. "
Egbert Ausems
A little history
Both Strasbourg and Maastricht once originated as a Roman settlement, with a bridge across the river. Later, a castellum was added and both grew into a Roman city, and a bit later into a fortified city. A city of strategic importance, in the Middle Ages Strasbourg, like Maastricht, was an important religious centre, with a bishop's seat. Maastricht has a basilica, Strasbourg an imposing cathedral. 'And both cities have a river,' Edgar adds. Because the Rhine flows through Alsace's capital. 'Another similarity: good food and drink. I grew up as a burgundian in Alsace and therefore also feel at home in Maastricht with its French tones.'
La Meuse
One such French shade is the river Maas. Indeed, La Meuse has French origins, Egbert explains. The river originates in the Plateau de Langres, a high mountain range about 300 kilometres south of Strasbourg. After some wanderings, the water of the Maas flows into the Netherlands via Maastricht. Since the Middle Ages, transport or supply via rivers has been important, he says: "Very interesting from a trade point of view the French thought.
Siege of Maastricht
The city of Maastricht and its Maas were also of interest to the French from a strategic point of view. Not surprisingly, the French side fought hard to capture the city during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673. An important event in French history because Maastricht was in French hands for a long time, as the capital of a French state. 'After many attaques and croisades, the French succeed in taking Maastricht. Between 1794 and 1814, Maastricht is the capital of the Meuse Inférieure, i.e. a French city.'
D'Artagnan and Napoleon
D'Artagnan also died in the battle in Maastricht. The musketeer is seen as Louis XIV's right-hand man and a national hero. Later best known as one of the four musketeers through Alexandre Dumas' novel. As a Frenchman, you therefore almost always come across the name Maastricht, as it is part of the patriotic history and curriculum. With Napoleon's arrival in Maastricht in 1803, the French influence continues. Among other things, Napoleon visited the underground limestone quarries of Mount St Peter and inspected the fortifications. As a guide, Egbert still encounters the traces of these. 'When you walk through the Caves Zonneberg, you see many French inscriptions from that period. A silent witness from the past.' At that time, the French also excavated the Mosasaurus Bèr from the ENCI quarry, a prehistoric sea creature whose skeleton can be admired in the Natural History Museum today.'
Grotten Zonneberg Sint-Pietersberg (Mount Saint peter)
Even though the French troops have now left again, the French definitely left their mark on Maastricht. 'You can also see that in the Maastricht dialect, with its many words derived from French,' Egbert notes. So French was a main language until Maastricht became Dutch again. The Maastricht word versjèt (fork) comes from the French fourchette, and the word for candle, bougie, has even been copied one-to-one.
La cuisine
Like Strasbourg, Maastricht has a typically burgundian character. A Maastrichtian knows how to enjoy life. French cuisine is therefore well represented in Maastricht. And Egbert has some tips for that: 'If you want to taste typical French patisserie, Eclair Affair on the Kesselskade is the place to go. I grew up with eclairs and believe me: they are really good.'
But he says you can also go to Maastricht for French delicacies: 'Then you should head for the Koestraat'. There, he says, you will find the restaurants with "une cuisine délicieuse" of which an absolute must is Le Fernand. The menu features typical French dishes such as confit de canard, cuisses de grenouilles, haricots verts au beurre de Paris. Combined with a French drink like a glass of crémant or Kronenbourg 1664.' On the other side of the Maas, at 't Wycker Cabinet, the Frenchman is also a regular. 'There I like to order the Côte de Bœuf, an Angus Rib-Roast with sauce béarnaise. But you can also wake me up at night for Moules de Bouchots, escargots and especially profiteroles.'
If you like strolling like the Frenchman, stroll through the streets of the Stokstraat Quarter, with beautiful boutiques. If you want to soak up even more of the French feel, Egbert says you should walk along the city wall near the Stadspark: "It's just like Paris there. You walk through a beautiful garden and if you go back down via the School of Business and Economics, you can also see the statue of D'Artagnan along the city wall.' Also on top of the Sint-Pietersberg (Mount Saint peter), at Fort Sint Pieter, you are 'silent witness to Maastricht's history and its history with the French.' But I don't tell more about it, you have to discover that for yourself.' Those who want to discover that can book a guided tour at Maastricht Underground; a particularly surprising recommendation.
If at the end of the day you're still not done with French life in Maastricht, you can still head to Lumière Cinema. There is always a French film playing there in this particularly beautifully refurbished factory hall. Already inspired to start practising your French? Then join the Café Français. Experience a fun and sociable evening where you can speak French. Look for the next meeting on the site of l'Alliance Française Maastricht, where by the way you will also find the cultural programme including excursions and wine tastings.
Lumière Cinema
With six theatres and an atmospheric Grand Café, Lumière Cinema is the place for the exceptional film in Maastricht. More info on Lumière Cinema
Maastricht itself also offers plenty of (hidden) spots for wine lovers. We take you to some of these spots on a weekday wine trip in the Limburg capital.
You probably immediately think of southern France when you think of vast vineyards. But did you know that Maastricht and its surroundings have countless wineries and vineyards? Yes, really!
Get carried away along artistic and cultural highlights of the city. From art in museums to architecture, d'Artagnan and the Mestreechter Geis in public spaces. Discover well-known and lesser-known 'Icons' while walking.
A cinema in a former factory hall or a bookshop in an old monastery church. Discover the inspiring new functions of these impressive monumental buildings in the city.
