Overlooking the Jeker Valley and standing as the only terraced castle in the Netherlands, Château Neercanne is more than a Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, it is one of the most enchanting and intriguing places I’ve visited – steeped in history with hidden secrets and fascinating stories to discover. Read on for the full review.
History
Enter in the Netherlands and exit in Belgium (or vice versa) even the location of this 17th century Château is unique. Owned, managed and clearly loved by the Oostwegel family, Château Neercanne is one of the four properties within the Oostwegel Collection. However, it nearly wasn’t to be. When the property first became available for sale local man, Camille Oostwegel Snr, whose first memory of visiting the Castle was when he was five years old, was eager to buy it and start his own restaurant but as a young man without experience in the sector, his bid was refused. However, a happy twist of fate saw that in 1984 Camille Oostwegel Snr took ownership and began his dedicated journey, opening Château Neercanne to the public and it has become a highly reputed establishment in the Netherlands.
And it is not just the exceptional cuisine and beautiful setting Château Neercanne is famous for. In 1992 it was this captivating setting that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands brought together twelve European leaders, (and after some fine wine and excellent food!) it was here that the Maastricht Treaty was signed.
Fast forward to present day and now Camille Oostwegel and his wife have taken the helm, carrying on his father’s legacy with the greatest of pride and devotion. And he has earned this position. The Oostwegel Family have a treaty in place themselves – only someone who is capable and shares the future vision and passion is appointed to lead the business – this role is not only upholding a legacy for the family, but also one for the future of Château Neercanne.
Our Experience
Arrival
Our first encounter of the Oostwegel Collection was with the pre-arranged transfer driver who had sent a friendly and professional text message to me before we even landed explaining where to meet him at the airport. We flew into Airport Weeze which is approximately. 1hr 40 mins from Château Neercanne, but there are others within closer proximity. Welcomed with a big smile, luggage swept away we were taken to a pristine Mercedez people carrier and offered water for the journey.
Passing through Maastricht which is approx. 10 mins drive from Château Neercanne and then through the open countryside Château Neercanne stands out majestically.
The winding tre- lined road leading to the Château adds an air of mystery and anticipation.
Along this road and set back within the caves there is an entrance to a bunker which was part of the NATO headquarters in Maastricht during the Cold War which was only discovered in 1991 – another fascinating part of the history of this place.
We park outside the iron gates and walk along a short pathway to the reception area which is located in the Château itself and are met with a warm welcome. The reception area is traditional in style and presents original features, dark wood flooring and panelling, ornate finishings and French doors that look down to the garden and across the sweeping countryside.
Our bags are taken to our suite, and we follow with Milou, a friendly and informative receptionist.
The Suites
Operating as a fine dining establishment, it wasn’t until 2024 that Château Neercanne could welcome guests to stay overnight. As part of a wider restoration project, seven beautiful suites were developed with the utmost care and attention in what was once the Gate House. There are seven suites in total; five suites, one superior garden suite and one deluxe garden suite, which is also used as the bridal suite, it’s split level and set within a turret of the old Gate House. This is where we stayed.
Original house numbers are still evident on the exterior of the building, and our suite (and three others) is accessed via what used to be house 800A. On the ground floor there is a modern communal space where guests can enjoy coffee, wine or other refreshments. Before ascending a small wooden staircase to reach the suite entrances.
A chilled bottle of pink bubbles (which is a wine made from the vineyards of sister property Château St. Gerlach) awaits and we enjoy a glass with a welcome amuse buche and a selection of spicy nuts before Milou shows us around the extremely spacious suite.
Comprising a reception area with a sizeable contemporary bathroom, garden room-come lounge area with French doors opening out to a terrace which presents spectacular views across the valley and the kitchen garden. We also have our own private garden with a fragrant array of herbs and flowers. Back in the reception area there is a small wooden staircase that leads to the bedroom with super-king (and super comfortable!) bed and a separate WC.
The suite combines original features with a contemporary interior, soft furnishings acknowledge the locality and history of the property. For example, wallpaper designs are of the herbs and flowers grown in the garden, Julius Ceaser bust embossed cushions (it is said that Ceaser was defeated by the Eborones in the valley of the river Jeker, where the Château sits) and the lamp in the garden room / lounge area was designed by Camille Oostwegel’s sister. The original beams, small windows, low arched doors add character. The arrow-slit style wall lighting against the iron banister all creates a historic atmosphere. It’s a beautiful and tranquil place to spend time.
And when we return from our dinner a thoughtful turndown awaits; chocolate-covered peanuts presented in a beautiful shell left with a handwritten note, curtains drawn and atmospheric lighting set. More little details that make the entire experience so special. With a full stomach and an uplifted heart, we sleep well.
Restaurants
Restaurant L’Auberge
Again, as part of the extensive restoration, the family has renovated their second restaurant, L’Auberge, located in the estate’s former stables. Awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, L’Auberge is the region’s go-to venue for an excellent, well-priced three- or four-course meal in a stunning setting. The recent upgrades include a fully gas-free kitchen, reflecting the estate’s commitment to sustainability.
Original beams, brickwork, stable-esque architecture and an open kitchen forms this quaint and unassuming restaurant. We enjoyed lunch here and opted for the a la carte version of one the four course menu choices – we didn’t want to spoil our appetite for the tasting menu later that evening.
A delicious amuse-bouche of white asparagus and oil of leek soup with a chicken pate and roasted onion tartlet was served as we pondered over the menu.
The menu here is entirely seasonal with the produce either grown onsite in the kitchen garden or from local suppliers. We even spotted one of the chef’s popping out to pick some herbs!
The service team were super friendly and made us feel very welcome. A great wine list with local and international choices. We opted for a white wine another one from vineyards of sister property, Château St. Gerlach. It was very easy to drink and light on the palate.
My travel companion (my niece) has a few specific dietary requirements, however the team both at L’Auberge and the Michelin starred Château Neercanne could not have been more obliging and made her feel so at ease.
We chose cod served with sand root and béarnaise sauce and poultry fillet and leg with signature gravy – the original dish was served with cave mushrooms; however, these were omitted upon request. Sides of home-grown potatoes and white asparagus, egg and herb accompanied the main course. Our dishes were delicious and although they sounded quite rich, they were very light, and the quality of the produce shone through. The dessert menu was highly tempting, yet we managed to resist – saving ourselves for the ‘main’ event later that evening.
Breakfast is also served here and was just as enjoyable as lunch. A dainty portion of granola, natural yoghurt, served with a white chocolate case enveloping sweet apple puree topped with goji berries was the first dish which was then followed by a continental breakfast served at the table – pastries were freshly baked, and eggs cooked to order. Not a menu in sight but plenty to choose from to suit every taste. Add to the mix a strong coffee and this was a great start to the day.
Restaurant Château Neercanne
Located in the original Château this Michelin-starred restaurant is grand, elegant and a highly unique experience.
The dining room is befitting of a royal experience, to which it has played host on occasions. An open fireplace, high mantle place, ornate ceiling, spectacular chandeliers, period decorative panelling, heavy curtains and perfectly set tables all await guests who dine here. And my niece was particularly impressed with the low side stools by each table designed to ‘seat’ handbags.
Home-grown and local produce is at the heart of the French-inspired menu which has been expertly designed by Chef de Cuisine Robert Levels.
The Maître d’hôtel, Robert, was charming and made us feel extremely welcome and again, he and Chef, went above and beyond to accommodate my niece’s dietary requirements.
The Prestige Menu ranges from five to seven courses which can be paired with wine, and a vegetarian version is also available. Our experience was six-courses (plus four appetisers) and was a ‘blind’ one which meant we were only given the menu at the end of the meal. Presented in a wax-sealed envelope it was a delight to recap on each of the divine dishes we’d enjoyed. See pictures below for a visual journey.
The experience kicked off in theatrical style with a cocktail trolley holding two wooden barrels within two different cocktail options. I chose the more floral and refreshing of the two which was served like a magic trick – our waiter poured the liquor base, topped it with sparkling wine, then created a foam bubble over the top of the coupe glass which he then ‘popped’ with a flambéed sprig of rosemary resulting in a real ‘poof’ of smoke. I wish I’d anticipated what was to be served so I could have caught ‘the act’ on camera. A fun way to start the evening!
This set the standard for the rest of the evening with four delicate and flavoursome amuse buche along with six courses. Each dish was expertly prepared showcasing a creative combination of ingredients and flavours and the most beautiful artistic presentation. Take for example the cristal clear bread with avocado and toro tuna, the ‘bread’ was so delicate and ornate it could have been a decoration yet to the bite it was crisp and perfectly complemented by the creamy avocado and succulent slither of tuna. Even the two butters one Wagyu and one caramelised to accompany the freshly baked bread was a wonder; expertly scooped (ice-cream style) from what looked like an Ostrich egg, the creamy culinary staple taking centre stage served on two pedestals – a glistening temptation that did not disappoint. From the rich and velvety goose liver to the strong and succulent duck and every bite in between, each course in terms of food and presentation was a feast for both the eyes and the palate. I could not pick my favourite!
We also enjoyed the wine pairing option of the meal, which was a delight. Our waitress was well informed and so flexible in terms of how much wine to pour with each course.
Our experience was just over three hours – so this is definitely an occasion to be savoured.
Exploring
The Grounds
Before dinner we explored the grounds and had the pleasure of meeting Camille, the owner and managing director, who kindly showed us around and explained more about the restoration which has been sensitively executed in close partnership with the local and national councils.
It was an extensive project and painstakingly detailed, however the effort has been well worth it, and a true sense of time has been perfectly captured – bringing the past to life without compromising on modern day demands.
Many original features both within the Château and its grounds remain; including the wide wooden staircase in the reception area above which hangs a fantastic portrait of the Baron who once resided there. The original Baroque design of the garden was reinstated after the Oostwegel family found the authentic plans for the garden and unearthed the original fountain during the restoration project. Charming aspects can be found at every turn – the hidden away cellar style stone steps not only descend to the formal garden but transport you back to a time long ago.
Modern art installations stand on the terrace between the Château and the gate-house building whilst ancient monuments and statues remind guests of the storied past.
The Caves
On our tour with Camille, he took us to see ‘The Caves’. We stepped beyond some heavy imposing wooden doors set in the hillside to discover, perhaps the most spectacular and ‘fairy-tale-esque’ part of Château Neercanne. Wow. Wow. Wow. I was blown away by how magical and expansive this natural network of marl caves is. Words cannot describe it. Home to over 2,000 bottles of wine and covers an area of 500 sq meters network has been cleverly designed to incorporate a ‘speak easy’ style bar, a coffee and cocktail bar, dining area and all-round place (for approx. 500 to 600 people) to party. An array of seating options from comfortable low chairs, high bar stools, stylish sofas strategically placed to help define each area. Candles guide the way with wall-hung fairly lights adding to the ambience. Etchings in the soft marl walls add character and the sound-proofing effect of the marl means what happens in the caves stays in the caves. And this is where the infamous Maastricht Treaty was signed – which takes pride of place on the wall.
We didn’t have time to party or enjoy a nightcap here, however I was truly captivated and would be tempted to travel back (with 599 friends) to experience this breathtaking party place in all its glory!
The Entertaining Venues
Within the first floor of the Château sits the largest private dining room, Tsaar Peter de Grote room named after Peter the Great who is said to have visited the Château on his travels in the 17th century. It is handsome in décor with solid furniture, dark wood flooring and decorative panelling and overlooks the Baroque gardens. This is ideal for smaller parties, private dinners, informal gatherings and sometimes even used as a place for the bridal party to get ready.
And within the cave network there are multiple event spaces; the Carrière Poswick – a large space ideal for weddings or large celebrations which despite being part of the cave network benefits from a great deal of natural light thanks to its windows with a ground level aspect. The Orangerie is equally well-lit and just as charming and is a fabulous setting for banquets and receptions. And of course, step deeper into the caves to discover the famous wine cellar and cosy speak easy bar, ‘Bar 1698’. There really is a space for every celebration!
Final Thoughts
The Oostwegel Collection ethos is founded on four core principals; people, place, gastronomy, and collection and Château Neercanne not only, more than, excels at all four, but it also intertwines them in the most elegant and unassuming way. Add to this the magic that its storied past brings, and you really do have the makings of a fairy-tale place to stay. We highly recommend you visit at least once in your lifetime.
Château Neercanne is a member of Relais & Châteaux
Contact Details
Website: www.oostwegelcollection.nl
Address: Von Dopfflaan 10, 6213 NG Maastricht, Netherlands
