Thorn

About the village

The white town of Thorn in the municipality of Maasgouw has been a tourist attraction in the region for years, thanks to its rich history dating back to the late 10th century. Over time, a miniature principality developed under the leadership of an abbess and 20 noble nuns. The town had its own judicial system and minted its own coinage. This came to an end in 1794 with the arrival of the French. Today, the town is especially known for its white façades (painted white during the French period to avoid taxes) and its pancakes.

The area is a beautiful region where you can relive history and enjoy wonderful walks and leisure. The Meuse Lakes near Thorn are a playground for sailing and motor boats, surfers, and swimmers, with various day beaches and marinas.

Available activities

Hiking

Hiking in the Koningssteen – Kollegreend Nature Reserve (Kessenich and the Three Eigen hiking area). Along the way: large cattle, the end of Belgium, a sea of flowers (in the summer months), and boundary markers.
Set out on a guided tour with a MaasVerkenner (Meuse Explorer).

Cycling

Thanks to the extensive cycling network in Belgium and the Netherlands, you can create your own bike route using junctions that are signposted in both directions. This allows you to choose your direction and the length of your ride. During your cycling trip, consider taking a ferry across the Meuse River. This makes cross-border cycling in the RivierPark Maasvallei very straightforward.

You can join the cycling network via junction 53 in Thorn. Parking is available at the lot on Steegputstraat (P1, paid). You can plan your bike route using the cross-border cycling map.

Visiting

The historic village center of Thorn with the Abbey Church and museum.
The tasting room at Wijngoed Thorn
Koningssteen – Kollegreend Nature Reserve, managed by Natuurmonumenten and Limburgs Landschap vzw.