Top 10 Things to Do in Metz

Top 10 Things to Do in Metz

France is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is many people’s dream to visit it and see the famous Notre- Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. But beyond the nation’s capital, there are many other interesting destinations to explore, smaller cities on the outskirts of Paris. Rural towns are full of authentic French culture and deep history. Metz is one such city.

Known as the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History), and named as one of France’s ‘Top French Cities‘ for 2020, Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region in north-eastern France, set along the beautiful Moselle River.

The town is a two-hour car drive from Paris or one hour by train. Metz beautifully blends a significant past and treasured monuments with modern innovation and is very conducive for pedestrians and bikes. Its vibrant atmosphere and small size make it ideal for exploring many things in a short period of time.

With the arrival of 2020 comes the best time to explore the city of Metz – there are a number of significant events this year, including the 800th anniversary of Saint-Etienne Cathedral, and the 10th anniversary of the Centre Pompidou-Metz art museum.

With a history dating back thousands of years, Metz’s extensive Roman ruins and rich cultural offerings have seen it placed on a tentative list for becoming a future UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Metz is fast becoming one of France’s top trending travel destinations. From amazing food and riveting festivals to soothing parks and unforgettable museums, a Metz holiday can be enjoyed on nearly any budget, and for any interest.

Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do in Metz; Some churches, parks, museums, festivals, and food!

1. Metz Cathedral

Metz Cathedral – Courtesy of Wikimedia common

Metz is home to a church so popular it goes by a bunch of different names. While the locals call the city’s most beautiful church Cathédrale Saint Étienne de Metz, it is also known as  Cathedral of Saint Stephen of Metz, The Lantern of God, or just Metz Cathedral.

This Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral displays one of the highest naves and greatest expanses of stained-glass windows in the world. Built during the 13th century, the cathedral turns 800 years old in 2020.

Metz Cathedral is Europe’s tallest Gothic buildings, it sits in the historic center of the city, so you can’t miss it. While the exterior is impressive, the cathedral’s interior with its 6,500 square meters of colorful stained-glass windows crafted by Gothic and Renaissance master glassmakers are the true sight to behold.

2. Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains

Photo By Marc Ryckaert from Wikimedia

The oldest church in Metz and one of the oldest churches in Europe, the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains dates back to the 4th century.  The pre-medieval church once formed part of an ancient Roman spa, went on to become a Roman school, and then became a warehouse. The church has recently been transformed into a cultural center, hosting concerts and various exhibitions.

3. Centre Pompidou-Metz

The Centre Pompidou-Metz is a museum of modern and contemporary arts located in Metz

A branch of Paris’s Centre Pompidou, Centre Pompidou-Metz has a mix of modern and contemporary art. The museum houses France’s largest temporary exhibition space outside Paris. Centre Pompidou displays Europe’s largest collection of 20th-century art, and the branch located in Metz will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020.

This is the most popular cultural venue in France outside Paris. The museum sees more than half a million people pass through its doors annually. In addition to admiring art, you’ll find a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy views of the surrounding gardens in the outdoor terrace seating area.

4. Seille Park

Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Metz is known for its wealth of green spaces in the form of parks and gardens. The city has one of the country’s largest commercial pedestrian areas and offers up nearly 600 acres of parks. You’ll find the lovely Seille Park near the Centre Pompidou-Metz. This park runs along the Seille River and is especially nice during the spring and summer months when flowers are in blossom and you can see otters and various bird species.

5. Plan d’eau

Plan d’eau is another garden. It sits along the Moselle River where a lake of sorts is formed, here, you can do both boating and kayaking. Bask in the sun on the grass and be sure to take in the breathtaking views of Saint-Etienne cathedral and Temple Neuf.

6. Jardin botanique de Metz

The Jardin botanique de Metz also makes for a nice afternoon in nature, with rose gardens and greenhouses displaying exotic palms, cacti, and orchids. Its greenhouses were originally built on the city’s esplanade in 1861, during the World Fair, and moved to the Botanical Garden in 1880.  The garden contains three ponds, winding paths, a bronze statue of an eagle (1866) by Metz animalier Christopher Fratin, and a toy train railway that circles through the site.

7. Covered Market or Marché Couvert

Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Metz offers a food scene filled with both local specialties and international delights. You’ll find a variety of restaurants to choose from and a visit to the Covered Market or Marché Couvert is advised. The Covered Market is home to numerous local food producers selling fresh local produce from their farms and edible treats.  The market is in the historical center of Metz.

The region is known for its quiche Lorraine, Moselle wines, Lorrain pâté, potée, and the golden plum known as the Metz Mirabelle which is often used to make jams and fruit brandy. Also try out some suckling pig and a few Metz Balls which are ganache-stuffed biscuits coated with marzipan, caramel, and dark chocolate.

8. Romarin Restaurant

Just by the Château d’eau (in French, water towers have the rather curious name of ‘water castles’), and not far from the Centre Pompidou-Metz, the Romarin Restaurant is open every day apart from Sunday. Once inside, you’ll find that the restaurant serves a lot of local Lorraine cuisine with a modern twist.

Quiche is a French tart consisting of pastry crust filled with savoury custard and pieces of cheese, meat, seafood or vegetables. The best-known variant is quiche Lorraine, which includes lardons or bacon and usually cheese.

9. Constellations Digital Arts Festival

During the Summer is the several month-long Constellations digital arts festival. Running from June to September, the festival features projections, art trails, exhibitions, and music acts from both local and international artists. The festival is a rather recent addition to Metz’s line-up of annual festivals, the first taking place in 2017.

10. Porte des Allemands

Porte des Allemands, or “Door of the Germans”, stands majestically in the Quartier Outre-Seille proudly above the Seille River. One of the city’s most loved attractions, the medieval bridge castle with its 13th-century towers is a sight to behold.

Named after the Teutonic Knights of the day, the fort gave protection against attacks for centuries. Today, parts of Porte des Allemands have been turned into walking paths, giving visitors an opportunity to see the structure from all angles.