Venlo ([ˈvɛn.lo] ( listen)) is a municipality and a city in the southeastern Netherlands, next to the German border. It is situated in the province of Limburg.

In 2001, the (now former) municipalities of Belfeld and Tegelen were merged into the municipality of Venlo. Tegelen was originally part of the Duchy of Jülich centuries ago, whereas Venlo has a past in the Duchy of Guelders. On 1 January 2010, the (now former) municipality of Arcen en Velden, was merged into the municipality of Venlo.

Roman and Celtic coins and remains of a Roman bridge across the river Meuse have been found in Venlo; it may have been the settlement known as Sablones on the Roman road connecting Maastricht with Xanten. Blerick, on the west bank, was known as Blariacum.

Documents from the 9th century mention Venlo as a trade post; it developed into one of the more important ones in the Meuse-Rhine area, receiving city rights in 1343, and becoming a member of the Hanseatic League in 1375.

Because of its strategic importance, the city of Venlo was besieged several times. The most significant siege was that of 1702, carried on by Menno van Coehoorn. Consequently, Venlo was incorporated into the Generaliteitslanden of the United Provinces and later became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

René van der Gijp (born April 4, 1961 in Dordrecht, Netherlands) is a retired football right winger.

His father Wim van der Gijp, as well as his uncle Cor van der Gijp, also were capped by Holland.

During his club career, Van der Gijp played for Sparta Rotterdam, PSV, KSC Lokeren, Neuchâtel Xamax, FC Aarau and SC Heerenveen.

He also made 15 appearances for the Netherlands national team, scoring 2 goals.

Van der Gijp works as a TV pundit with Dutch channel RTL. In a weekly show called Voetbal International.