Walk | Maastricht Treaty

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Distance 7.8 km | Duration 1 hour 33 minutes

Start: Provincial Government of Limburg
End: Château Neercanne

Maastricht is the place where, with the signing of the European Treaty in February 1992, Europe changed for good. Although the signing itself took place in the Gouvernement, on the outskirts of the city, you will find a number of places scattered around the city that recall this historic event. We have collected these special places, each with its own story, for you and incorporated them into a route.

This route has been put together in collaboration with Studio Europa Maastricht.

Tip

Take a bike for an efficient way to explore this route. You can rent an OV bike at the station or use the Arriva share bikes that are located at various places around the city.

Starting point: Provincial Government of Limburg

Start your route at the Gouvernement, the site of the Euro Summit on 9 and 10 December 1991. Here, 12 European leaders negotiated the creation of the EU and the introduction of the euro. The historic treaty was signed in the State Room on 7 February 1992. Visit the Gouvernement and admire the art in the garden. Inside, you can view one of the official copies of the treaty and learn more about the impact of the Maastricht Treaty. There are also guided tours and an exhibition.

Plein 1992 square

Continue your route to Plein 1992, located in the Céramique district. Built in honour of the Maastricht Treaty, this square has bronze plaques with the euro sign and the year 1992 incorporated into the tiles. The square is a perfect place where the modern architecture of Céramique meets historic Maastricht. Here you can visit the city library, enjoy a cup of coffee and admire the view of Maastricht's skyline.

Hoge Brug bridge & - Onze Lieve Vrouwe square

Walk across the Hoge Brug, where you’ll enjoy stunning views over the Meuse. Cross the bridge to the city park and continue your route towards Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein and the Vrijthof. During the 1991 European Council summit, the EU member states were symbolically represented in Maastricht’s cafés. Café In Den Ouden Vogelstruys on the Vrijthof, for example, was renamed ‘Selon de séjour de François M’ in honour of France and President François Mitterrand. A fun anecdote: anyone named ‘Frans’ was treated to a serenade by the staff.

Town hall and market

The City Hall hosted a dinner for heads of government and ministers on 9 December 1991. Further negotiations took place during the dinner. At the Market Square, the first euros officially came into circulation on 1 January 2002. It was a special moment when Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm pinned the first euro notes there.

Château Neercanne

End your route outside the city at Château Neercanne, located in the hills among Maastricht's nature. On 9 December 1991, a lunch between Queen Beatrix, European leaders and the French president took place here. The queen spoke encouraging words about the unification of Europe and the introduction of the euro. The marl wall in the cave where the leaders put their signatures is considered the 'birth card' of the euro.

Weetje

In 2018, the Maastricht Convention received the European Heritage Label, in recognition of its great importance for European history and identity.

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