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History
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History
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History
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History
Whoever visits Le Bon Vivant steps into more than just a restaurant – they step into a piece of Maastricht’s history. Our restaurant is located in a vaulted cellar at Capucijnenstraat 91, a site that once formed part of a family brewery deeply rooted in the city: the Marres-Ceulen brewery.
No longer Dobbel Aajt, but Dobbel Good. A new chapter, in a historic location.
The founding of the brewery
In 1859, August Marres and his wife Helene Ceulen built a brewery in their backyard at Grote Gracht 60 – precisely where Le Bon Vivant is now located. They laid the foundation for a brewing tradition that would last three generations. At that time, Maastricht was home to fourteen breweries; the Marres family owned many cafés across the city where their beer was served.The birth of Dobbel Aajt
When their son Egmond Marres took over the brewery, the now-famous beer Dobbel Aajt was born. This characterful beer made its way through the city, delivered by horse and cart to the many cafés owned by the family – including the well-known De Vogelstruys on the Vrijthof. Dobbel Aajt became a household name in Maastricht.The brewery’s end in 1959
Exactly 100 years after its founding, the third generation, led by Pierre Marres, sold the brewery to Brand Bier. Not so much for the beer itself, but for the strong distribution network the family had built. Interestingly, Grolsch was also close to taking over the brewery. History might have taken a different turn, and Maastricht’s beer culture could have looked very different today.The end of the brewery – but not the story
After the takeover, no more beer was brewed at this location. The buildings were repurposed, and the brewery disappeared from the streetscape. What remained was the heritage – a history that still lives on in the city and among many of its people. As Boud Marres (86), author of the book *Marres*, put it: “The Marres family is one of the oldest families in Maastricht.”A new chapter: Le Bon Vivant
In 2013, chef Björn Dijkstra opened the doors of Le Bon Vivant in the former brewery. Without realizing it at the time, he brought life back to this historic site. Since then, the restaurant has grown into a place where quality, hospitality, and flavor take center stage – all while honoring the story that lies beneath.Dobbel Good – past and present united
With the Dobbel Good concept, we build a bridge between the rich past of this location and our vision of gastronomy. Where Dobbel Aajt beer was once brewed, we now serve dishes full of character – paired with carefully selected wines and alcohol-free cocktails.No longer Dobbel Aajt, but Dobbel Good. A new chapter, in a historic location.
Opening Hours
| Monday | closed | |
| Tuesday | 18.00 - 22.00 | |
| Wednesday | closed | |
| Thursday | 18.00 - 22.00 | |
| Friday | 18.00 - 22.00 | |
| Saturday | 18.00 - 22.00 | |
| Sunday | closed | |