METZ – www.inspire-metz.com
Some places have it all… except the buzz about having it all. That's not a bad thing, and Metz has worn it well for years, although buzz is now definitely in the air. With three thousand years of history and the Roman, medieval, classical and contemporary architecture to show for it, this capital of Lorraine has plenty of historic monuments, plazas and even an Imperial Quarter that is intact testament to German town planning. Plus, of course, it's got what no buzz-worthy French city could do without: world-class museums and galleries (especially the Centre Pompidou-Metz), Michelin-starred dining and two lovely rivers.
Fun Facts
The largest surface area (70,000 ft²) of stained glass windows in France is found in Metz cathedral, built from the 13th to 20th centuries.
Laurent Wiltz, director of Mr Hublot, Academy Award winner for Best Short Film (Animated) in 2014, studied fine art in Metz.
Significant Site
Cathédrale St-Etienne: one of the most impressive Gothic churches in Europe
Extraordinary Exhibit
Centre Pompidou-Metz: this sister institution of the Pompidou Center in Paris is a cultural center with innovative multi-disciplinary programs in contemporary art
Delectable Delights
Metz mirabelle: a small golden plum that makes excellent jam and brandy
Moselle wines: a rich and varied range of wines that can be discovered on the 16-mile wine trail of the Metz region
Legendary Local
Carole Gaessler: a journalist who presents the main evening news bulletin of the France 3 television channel
Also in the Area
Maison de Robert Schuman: home of the "Father of Europe,” who launched the European Coal and Steel Community, the first step on the way to the European Union
Mirabelle country: Vaux, Lessy, Jussy, Sillegny… are just a few of the picturesque medieval villages, many with fortified churches, and around which are found mirabelle orchards
Musée de la Guerre de 1870 et de l’Annexion: the only museum in Europe today that focuses solely on the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the annexation of Alsace and La Moselle
Access from Paris
by road: about 3 hours (206 miles) via the A4 autoroute de l'Est
by train: about 1 h 25 min by TGV from the Gare de l'Est
For more about what to see and do in and around Metz, click here