The city of Maastricht, which gave its name to the European Union Treaty, is a very active student city, well-known for its numerous monuments and the city centre is now a protected area.
It is a south-western city in the province of Limburg, near the Belgian border, and it has an international air about it, with its different districts which all display very varied architecture.
The Basilica of Saint Servatius, built in the 10th century, is the oldest church in the Netherlands and it offers an introduction to the country's historic sites. The Stokstraat district, with its magnificent 17th and 18th century mansions, its narrow streets and shady squares, is truly enchanting.