City gate Helpoort 1229

from Helpoort to d'Artagnan

"From Helpoort to d'Artagnan" is a guided tour of fortifications from the 13th century to the 18th century, including improvements and the conquest by Louis XIV. The route goes from the Helpoort to d'Artagnan's statue and covers fortification history and sieges.

  • 90 minutes
  • 9.50 euros p.p.

Start

Our enthusiastic guide will meet you near the oldest city gate in the Netherlands; the Helpoort from 1229. He/she will briefly tell you an introduction to the fortress history of Maastricht. 

Cityommuring

Leaving the Helpoort , we will set out on and along the southern ramparts and your guide will show you parts of three later city extensions. At various points, an explanation of the fortification aspects of the city enclosure will be given and some anecdotes will be told (including the 1638 betrayal of Maastricht). 

Restoration work

The restoration work of the collapsed wall section between rondeel de Vief Köp and Poort Waerachtig will also be discussed by our guides. In the background you can still see the Helpoort .

Statue of d'Artagnan

The tour will end at the statue of "musketeer" Charles de Batz de Castelmore, Count of d'Artagnan, who died at the siege by the French in 1673, in front of the walls at the former Gate of Tongres. The retreat to Helpoort is within walking distance.

Useful information

Duration

approximately 1.5 hours (90 min).

Cost

€ 9.50 p.p., youth up to 12 years € 6.00 p.p.. Reservations can be made up to four days before the desired date/time. A tour requires at least six people to participate.

Customization is also possible

The day, time and duration of the guided tour are up to you: between 90 and 180 minutes, in which you can choose to visit Fort Waldeck, Fort Willem or Fort Sint Pieter. Requests should be made at least one week in advance. At least six people should participate in a tour. For fewer participants, a flat rate of six times the participant fee will be charged.

For groups of fifteen or more, special rates apply .

Starting Point

Helpoort located at the end of rue Bernard, from here through the first and second ramparts, past the spot where Louis XIV's troops made a breach in the city wall, to the statue of d'Artagnan located near rue des Tongres.

Practical information
Plan route to Helpoort starting point

Parking
Q-parkOL Vrouwe or Q-park Mosae Forum

Public transportation
Bus lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 15 (Mosae Forum stop)

Requesting a tour

Please fill out our request form to book your tour.
This is not a final reservation yet, but a request that we will be happy to help you with.

You will receive a confirmation email from us with all the details.

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Zip code and City
Preferred date and time
Number of participants
Enter the number of participants. The price is p.p. with a minimum amount for 6 participants. Separate rates apply for groups with more than 15 participants.