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Maastricht Bonbonnière City news

Article from “Heuvelland Vandaag”, September 19, 2025 Translation by Diana D. Le City Council decides in November 2025: plans for André Rieu Experience in Bonbonnière on hold The future of La Bonbonnière, the historic theater [built around 1788] on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, remains uncertain for the time being. The municipality has set aside €30 million for the building over the coming decades, but the city council will not decide on its future use until November. The monument, which served as the city theater for many years, has been largely vacant for years [since August 2019]. The municipality is working on behalf of the council to develop various scenarios, ranging from structural repairs to public rental. One important option is that, after renovation, the building will be opened up to interested parties via a registration procedure. André Rieu Experience Center In the meantime, ideas have already been put forward by entrepreneurs and cultural players. One of the plans is for a so-called André Rieu Experience Center, which would combine exhibitions, concert recordings, and catering. This proposal was submitted by entrepreneurs Marc Hermans and Patrick Volders, but is not currently being actively pursued by the municipality. Only when the council opts for the public rental scenario can such a plan be officially submitted and assessed. Hermans compares the idea to Graceland in Memphis, Elvis Presley's former home, which has become a world-class tourist attraction. He believes Maastricht could honor its most famous resident in a similar way. The experience center would not only be a tribute to Rieu, but also an international attraction that could draw thousands of visitors to the city every year. House of the City The Bonbonnière is significant not only because of its rich history and architecture, but also because of its central location in the city. In addition to the municipality, the university, entrepreneurs, and funds are also involved in thinking about the future through the Friends of the Bonbonnière committee. They would like to see the building develop into a House of the City, a place for meeting and culture. Making a decision The city council must make a decision in November. Until then, the initiators will remain in anticipation of which scenario will be chosen. Only then will there be clarity about the possibilities for new uses for the monument.

Chapeau Magazine: September 13, 2025, by Jo Cortenraedt Bonbonnière Open Weekend. Although the former municipal theater “La Bonbonnière” in Maastricht has been closed since 2019 and awaits a new purpose, the people of Maastricht still hold this building dear. This became clear at the start of the Heritage Open Days, when La Bonbonnière occasionally reopens its doors. And lines of people immediately formed outside, mainly locals who came to reminisce about their cherished memories. What was once a Jesuit church was transformed into a theater at the end of the 18th century. Initially, only for the French garrison and their distinguished entourage. At that time, only French and dialect were spoken in the city, not yet Dutch. Over two hundred years ago, even Napoleon attended a performance in this beautiful, ornately decorated theater, which is decorated in French style. Over the years, the building was regularly renovated, but it eventually became too small to function as the main city theater. In the 1980s, the larger Theater aan het Vrijthof was opened. Smaller performances and the usual parties were held in the Bonbonnière. However, the building has been empty for years and is in dire need of a thorough renovation. It is owned by the municipality of Maastricht, while a lease is in place with the brewery Heineken. Many discussions and ideas have been discussed, but no definitive solution has yet been found for what will undoubtedly be a costly renovation and repurposing. Many Maastricht residents are eager to embrace the Bonbonnière again. This weekend, visitors can visit the beautiful spaces (halls) such as the Theaterzaal, the Redoute, the Witte (white) Zaal, and the Grand Theater, thanks to an initiative by Ad Veenhof and Mikos Pieters. A variety of performances are scheduled, from Philzuid (orchestra) to John Tana (popsinger). Tickets for Sunday are still available via OMDMaastricht.nl. John Tana is sold out, but you can still enjoy performances by Frank Steijns and Madieke Schoots, known for their performances with André Rieu's Johan Strauss Orchestra.

Annual Heritage Open Days: September 13 and 14, 2025 Maastricht: Monumental theater La Bonbonnière, where André Rieu started his career.

La Bonbonnière will be restored! €30 million reserved Breaking news!! De Nieuwe Ster, by Maurice Ubags, September 17, 2025 A long-cherished wish of many Maastricht residents is coming true. The Bonbonnière will be restored to its former glory. The municipality of Maastricht has reserved up to €30 million for the city's former theater. This money is therefore covered in the budgets for the coming years. Aldermen Manon Fokke and Frans Bastiaens delivered the good news at a press conference about the city's budget. "If we want to do anything with the Bonbonnière, it's now or never. We have to look the beast in the eye. And then we'll see that we have to return this gem to the residents," said Manon Fokke. Alderman Bastiaens: "The Bonbonnière is a building that connects us. We all cherish it. Now it's explicitly included in the budget. Parties in the council have repeatedly asked us to do everything we can to make this happen." Maastricht is expecting an investment of €20 to €30 million to completely renovate the building. Real estate specialists from the university, who have extensive experience in renovating historic buildings in the city, have been involved in the process. Operational Planning The university and, for example, the Elisabeth Strouven Fund are among the Friends of the Bonbonnière. Together with the municipality and others, they are already exploring the building's operational future. The goal is for all parties to be able to use the building for all their events, such as ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, receptions, presentations, and other purposes.

Memories from previous years, by Ruud and Ineke. In 2010 it was, among others, a Grand Café where we spotted André's sculpture (created in 2009 by a Russian sculptor living in Maastricht) for the first time. Click HERE to read the story about the sculptor and the sculpture). Small concerts and parties were also held there, which we attended in previous years. Pictures below from 2010 (grand café), 2017 (musical performances by Laura Engel and Carla Maffioletti), 2018 Gracenotes.

Address: Achter de Comedie 1, close to the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein.

Pieces of art in the historic church/theater built around 1788.

2018: the “Gracenotes” in the Mirror Hall.

Theater hall

White room

Mirror room

From: The Limburger, by Joost Philippens October 3, 2025 André Rieu not interested in a museum in Maastricht: ‘Don’t want self-glorification’ What better way could Maastricht honor its most famous resident than with an André Rieu Experience? Cultural activist Marc Hermans promoted this idea to the city council this spring. “I’m surprised that Maastricht isn’t seriously exploring this plan.” But what does Rieu himself want? Maastricht is trying to break the impasse surrounding the Bonbonnière, the former theater that has stood empty for years. The city council wants to invest thirty million in the renovation. In November, the city council will be presented with three scenarios, including a rental option. Marc Hermans, born in Kerkrade and known for his work with a music group and comedy shows, presented his idea for an André Rieu Experience to the municipality of Maastricht in May. He can already picture the 1788 Bonbonnière becoming a tourist magnet that also does justice to the historic building. "A grand café in Viennese style, a ballroom with a 'classical-romantic' feel, waltz courses, a fan shop with merchandise, many digital presentations, the most romantic concert hall in the Netherlands, where you can get married and mourn." Hermans is also considering continuous recordings of Rieu concerts in HD quality, with viewers seated at tables and served by waiters. Historic carriages will depart from the Bonbonnière for city tours. "Alle Menschen werden Brüder (Ode to Joy, by Beethoven), was chosen as the European anthem by the Council of Europe in 1972) also immediately underscores the European Treaty of Maastricht." Graceland Rieu is the sixth-best-selling artist in the world, so success is guaranteed. "Absolutely. Think of the House of Strauss in Vienna, the Liverpool Beatles Museum, or Graceland around Elvis Presley." The advantages are numerous, Hermans outlines. "Heineken receives hospitality revenue through the grand café, concerts, weddings, and funerals, Rieu earns from licensing and merchandise, son Pierre is located nearby with his Derlon hotel, while the municipality is assured of a sustainable future for this national monument." In August, Hermans was informed by the municipality that his concept does not currently fit into any of the scenarios being developed for the Bonbonnière. This is understandable. The municipality is working on a "House of the City," brainstorming with the "Friends of the Bonbonnière," which is a think-tank that also includes the university, amateur theater, entrepreneurs, and charities. Marc Hermans is surprised by this. "The municipality is investing thirty million, but isn't seriously considering my plan. Isn't this tribute to André Rieu much more fitting than a statue or naming a square after him?" André Rieu is rightly not participating in the André Rieu Experience. Self-aggrandizement The big question is what the maestro himself thinks about it, whose company is, of course, crucial to the Experience's success. Son Pierre Rieu: André Rieu is rightly not participating in the André Rieu Experience. "Dad is averse to self-aggrandizement. A tribute? That's okay after he's dead." Oh, responds Marc Hermans. "The Experience was intended as a gift, and of course you don't approach the recipient in that case. Naturally, I accept this. We'll just have to wait, at least another twenty years”.

Photo by the Limburger: The classic look of the Bonbonnière suits André Rieu well, says Marc Hermans.