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In the historic heart of Elsloo, the oldest farming town in the Netherlands, time seems to have stood still. Life is wonderfully relaxed here. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with picturesque Mosan-style houses with stringcourse and half-timber detailing. At the foot of the Maasberg, the only cobblestone hill in the Netherlands and part of the Amstel Gold Race, lies Elsloo Castle. The castle grounds include an overgrown tower, an old watermill, and a beautiful public park that transitions into the Bunderbos nature reserve, with its forested hillsides, countless springs, babbling brooks and unique flora. Elsloo is the second most beautiful village in the Netherlands, after Winsum, according to a recent ANWB poll.
History
De Conincx, situated in the heart of the old town centre, is a national monument and one of the oldest private residences in Elsloo. The oldest parts date back to the fifteenth century. The exterior, with its stringcourse facade in Mosan-Renaissance style, resembles a building from the early seventeenth century. However, the oak beams – which were never demolished but simply covered with a stone facade – betray the medieval half-timbered house that lay within. In 1612, the home came into the possession of prominent Elsloo skipper and merchant Jan Conincx. Conincx traded in Namur freestone and sailed his merchant ships along the Meuse, between Liège and Dordrecht. He also constructed and rebuilt the former shipping exchange in Elsloo, which currently houses the Historiehuis van de Maasvallei, a local museum that is certainly worth a visit. The holiday home was named after Jan Conincx.
Inside
De Conincx was originally a private residence, but also served as a café and a restaurant. Following an extensive and careful restoration, Roger, Gislaine, and Yves now call De Conincx home. To give others the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful home and area, they converted part of the building into a charming holiday home equipped with every modern convenience, including a private parking spot and a courtyard entrance. The kitchen on the ground floor boasts the original tile floor, as well as half-timbered walls and a high oak ceiling. There is a four-burner induction hob, an oven, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a Nespresso coffee machine, and an electric kettle.
On the first floor, the charming living room features the original half-timbered walls (filled with loam and straw) and a cosy fireplace. The adjacent bedroom has exposed oak beams and a luxurious en suite bathroom. The rear facade is made from marlstone and the rooms in this part of the house overlook the beautiful garden and the stunning castle park beyond. The living room has a cosy sitting area, an electric fireplace, and a digital television. The supremely comfortable double Swiss Sense box-spring bed will be made on arrival and you can freshen up in your en suite bathroom, complete with walk-in shower, freestanding bath, toilet, and sink. Shampoo, shower gel, bathrobes and hotel slippers are available for your convenience.
Outside
Outside on your private south-facing terrace you can enjoy sweeping views of the area, including the historic Kapel aan de Kaak chapel in the distance. This outdoor area also doubles as your own private parking spot. Bicycles can be stored in the (uncovered) rack in the courtyard with camera surveillance.
Surrounding area
There are several cosy cafés and restaurants within a 300-metre radius of the home, including Eetcafé Auwt Aelse, Restaurant ConCon, and Het Slimme Schaap, a café that is popular with hikers and cyclists. The heart of Elsloo, with its many shops and lunch spots, is within walking distance. Guests of De Conincx can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Elsloo Castle or order breakfast to go from Bettina's Bakery or B&B Bie Janssen in town. Maastricht is just 15 minutes away by car and Hasselt and Aachen are 35 minutes away. The designer outlet centres Maasmechelen Village and in Roermond is also easy to reach by car. De Conincx is located on Dorpstraat, an extension of the Maasberg, a street that is part of popular cycling tours such as the Amstel Gold Race and Limburgs Mooiste.
This makes De Conincx an excellent starting point for cycling and hiking trips. Discover Rivierpark Maasvallei, a 40-kilometre cycling and hiking network along the Meuse that extends from Maastricht to Kessenich and takes you past beautiful landscapes where Galloway cattle and Konik horses roam freely.
In short: De Conincx is the perfect place to start your next adventure!
