Gulpen to Valkenburg

The tour starts easily; you can go downhill in the direction of Wijle. The village has a castle of the same name, the history of which dates back to 1040. Wijlre Castle is no longer a real castle, but more of a spacious mansion surrounded by a moat. There is a beautiful garden surrounding the building, with several terraces at the rear that were constructed in 1910. The building and outbuildings are all national monuments. 

Halfway between rural Schin op Geul and touristy Valkenburg you will come across the Schaloensmolen. The turbine water mill has the status of a national monument and was built around 1700 to replace another mill that belonged to Oud-Valkenburg Castle. The farmers of the villages of Oud-Valkenburg and Schin op Geul were obliged to offer their grain to this mill for grinding. Then the mill still had a water wheel; In 1924 it was replaced by the current turbine. The mill is still capable of grinding, although it is hardly used for that purpose anymore. It has been turned into an exhibition space. Two other elements of Oud-Valkenburg Castle can be found next to the mill. 

The native and herb garden Kasteeltuin Oud Valkenburg are monumental attractions where you can completely relax. It is a unique area, in which the composition of the different colors and the most wonderful scents evoke the feeling of ultimate relaxation. The gardens are diverse, so you can continue to be amazed by the harmony that the whole radiates. The East castle and country house in Valkenburg is also a national monument. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1340, when a fortified farm stood on the site of the manor. The current country house was built after a major renovation in 1839 and 1840 and was given a neoclassical appearance. It is made of the ocher-colored marl, for which the caves in the area are so famous. 

The French Mill, also written as Fransche Molen, is a water mill located in the middle of Valkenburg. This was built in 1804 on the right bank of the Geul, which was baptized 'French Mill' because of its origin. Like many other striking locations, this building is also a national monument. The national monument Den Halder Castle is also located on the Geul in the center of Valkenburg. The name'Den Halder\\\' therefore means'the holder\\\' and refers to the original function of the building: it was a defense tower that was part of the city wall. The castle is made of marl and consists of a square stair tower and a building built in 1635. 

Valkenburg castle ruins are one of the few high-rise castles in the Netherlands. The castle was destroyed and rebuilt three times, but did not survive the final destruction in 1673. The castle, which could serve as a strategic bridgehead for the French in the Eighty Years' War, was destroyed by the governor himself to prevent this. After the war, many remains of the ruins were used to rebuild other buildings in the city.