10 things that will inspire you to visit the pretty French town- Metz

18.02.2019.

Metz is a pleasant city at the North of France, which conveys a perfect harmony of history, nature and art. The instant decision of going to Metz appeared as I started to improve my French through the excellent site Franҫais Authentique. After realising that my French professor lives in Metz with his family, it was an excellent opportunity to learn about this awesome city.

Metz is situated in the region Lorraine, about 280 km from Paris. It means that you need to take a 4-hour bus to Metz. Two rivers, Moselle and Seille, make the town the wonder of its romantic soul. The proximity of Germany and Luxembourg takes the another advantage of visiting or living in Metz.

1. The most beautiful train station of France in Metz

The first and most obvious thing that will enchant you in Metz is the train station, just upon your arrival. Though I didn’t come by the train, the train station is inside and outside a marvellous piece of architecture. Being the piece of encounter, it’s a fantastic starting point to discover the city.

Just staying in front of it makes you appreciate the moment creating the wow feeling. Surrounded by the cobblestone streets, soon you realised that you actually entered a fairy-tale.

2. Amazing tower in Metz & medieval vibes

A large fountain leading to an imposant tower and marvelous port is just a few streets away. The tower is tour Camoufle, an interesting remain of the medieval time. Stunning gate or the Porte Serpenoise leads to an interesting park which brings enchanting shine.

Further away is another park with the big fountain called Esplanade. With a beautiful view of the mountains, statues and flowers this is a place to take a moment. More than that, the Palace of Justice at the corner will put your thoughts away.

3. The peaceful river promenade

Rolling down through the medieval shine awaits you the place you’ve been waiting since arrival, the river promenade. A pleasant and peaceful walk will bring you new discoveries as well as the perfect opportunities to dream. You will not only meet a place of crossroad between botanical garden (that I haven’t found) and pretty islands. You will find lovely boats, unique kind of birds, trees in most interesting shapes, meeting point of sport activities (specially water sports) and a promise to guide you.

This piece of nature inside of Metz is a true power of a town, a place where discovery begins. Scene from the postcards is the next step of wonder. The view at peninsula and the castle within, all encircled by swans will make you love Metz even more. The wonder will be even bigger when you find out that the castle is not a castle, but a protestant church. Doors with the rosy engravements, flowerish fence and the bent tree will make the view one of a thousands.

4. Gorgeous theatre in Metz

Theatre in the background is the beginning of the cultural sphere and everywhere you turn around will be the captivating french moments from postcards. Just in front of the theatre I found an imposant horticultural exposition serving here as a reminder of green Metz, city with fantastic plants. In very decent way flowers and chairs were put together in the little space. It’s so easy to find yourself amazed in Metz.

5. The most beautiful cathedral in Metz

The Saint-Stephen Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals I saw. Especially in the night it shows the simple elegance thanks to the glass art and enchanting high towers.

6. The vibrant atmosphere of the Old town of Metz

The centre of Metz is a place to be lost and found again between the various little shops, libraries, cafes, restaurants and much more. I admired the fact how easily I can find through the cobblestone streets thousands of attractivities that can entertain the eye. Restaurants I found are the great source of nationality based cuisine (japanese, french, belgique, lebanese, pakistani) and the choice between the street food and the modern treasury. Metz is a place to be discovered inside and outside, through the parks, promenades and its streets. The centre is large and the little corners with shops will make the difference. I got impression it’s always filled with people even in the night. Not excessively but Metz doesn’t miss the people.

7. Porte des Allemands- learn about the German traces

Porte des Allemands is situated in another part of the town just upon the river of Seille. As trace of the german times it serves now as an exhibition hall and an example how to spend the afternoon. In this place you can become the part of history. Maybe even hear your own language. It’s not a big place but very imposant offering a different perspective of the town with some nice views. Coming back towards the train station I discovered one nice courtyard with the communal garden. Even the statue of Pope is here and I got the impression that it’s more than a garden, it’s a place of meeting.

8. Centre Pompidou- fantastic modern museum in Metz

Centre Pompidou is a large modern museum and not a big shopping centre as I thought only hearing the name. Within the sympa architecture it offers various events, rich of content. When I was there, a collection of events called „Japanese season“ was happening from Septembre 2017 till May 2018. It included various expositions, concerts, performances and it was the opportunity to find out more about japanese architecture also.

Centre Pompidou is definitely a kind of place I wish would be close to where I live. The creativity of events attracts me, not so much the luxury of place. And I believe the same reason belongs to many of you. Decoration and design can give a great value but it’s the feeling of other way of life. Standing in front of the wideness of one culture can be enough to embrace it and understand the difference.

9. Museums of Metz

I am sure Metz outstands the expectations as there are many other things to see in Metz. Amongs them are Golden Courtyard (hystorical museum of Metz), museum of Paul Verlaine, Turkish Baths, Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains (significant due to the historic roman origin), Chateau de Pange with the gardens and the others.

The events of Metz will explain much better the soul of the town. It was even great to see the local cinema (there are two) for the opportunity to watch some nice french films or grasp the idea of a modern french film.

Not to be missed is the architecture specially significant in Avenue Foch. Balconies, doors, courtyards, statues in between- all sing in their particular way.

10. Cultural events and annual festivals in Metz

Mirabelle Plum Festival

One of the most popular and significant happening in Metz takes place during last two weeks in August ever since from 1947. These small yellow plums, even red are being celebrated here through various cultural events, musical performances, crafts market and even the floral parade. The culmination is being held at the election of Mirabelle Queen which happens right near the lake in Metz. For a flower and cultural lover, this is a great chance to discover Metz.

Metz Beach-

Also during the summer, Metz beach becomes the centre of the town with colorful musical and sportive happenings, and not only. They are usually free of charge.

The mongofiades de Metz is a big aerostat event that happens at the end of the summer.

Metz Marathon in autumn, exactly in mid-October has been a great background for sport lovers since 2010.

Christmas market is enriched with the Ice fairy, the festival with ice sculptures, most of them being the Disney characters.

Chocolat et Gourmandises, festival of chocolate takes places during February. It’s one of the things I recognized even before exploring what Metz has to offer, just randomly seeing list of chocolate festivals at one site.

European Artistic Crafts Day will be hosted during the spring in April and offers great chance to discover the local life, the local creativity.

Le livre a Metz is a three-day happening also in April with great names being covered through it.

Final thoughts

Metz is all you would want from a town, it has surprising nature, pleasant downtown, great events. It’s full of little surprises so you would feel just like in Paris. You don’t need any special reason, going in Metz anytime is a gain. Metz is just charming town in any view.

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