French city of Metz (Lorraine region). Sights of Metz - what to see

The city of Metz in the north-east of what is now France has always been distinguished by its advantageous location: it stands at the confluence of the rivers: the Moselle, which flows here with many channels, and the Zeille. Today the capital of French Lorraine, but for some time Metz was a German city. It is separated from Saarbrücken by less than 60 km. Accordingly, the German heritage and mutually integrated culture of the area constitute Metz's main tourist attraction.

The Pompidou Center was opened in Metz only in 2010, but has already become the most visited museum in France outside of Paris.

How to get to Metz

Metz shares a small airport with Nancy, and this airfield receives passenger flights from Paris and Lyon, as well as from Algeria and Italy, but not regularly. On the other hand, from Luxembourg airport to Metz it takes only an hour by car, and from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris - 1 hour 20 minutes by TGV train. You can also travel to Metz from Strasbourg by train.

Search for air tickets to Paris (the nearest airport to Metz)

A little history

Metz's history as a settlement goes back deep into prehistoric times. There was both a Celtic and a Roman city here; in the early Middle Ages, Metz was free, then it became an episcopal city and, at the end of the Thirty Years' War, was ceded to France by law. But for almost 60 years at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Metz was ruled by the Germans, who demolished the previous fortifications and redesigned the city. During the Second World War, Metz was also occupied, and this left its mark on its architectural appearance and the way of life of the townspeople.

Entertainment and attractions in Metz

The main religious and other attraction of Metz is the Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephen. The cathedral was, as it were, assembled from two churches: the old Romanesque one and the new nave of the 13th century, which was added to it. The cathedral stands on Armory Square and is an extremely impressive, powerful and fortified structure with the third largest nave in the entire country. The height of the latter exceeds 40 m. St. Stephen's Cathedral in Metz was lucky several times: firstly, even during the invasion of Attila's troops in the 5th century, it survived - the only one in the city. Secondly, its amazing stained glass windows of the 14th and 16th centuries survived all the vicissitudes of the city changing hands. And thirdly, M. Chagall himself was involved in the latest decoration of the cathedral, who created 19 more stained glass windows for its windows.

Directly opposite the cathedral is the old building of the bishop's palace: today there is a covered market inside where you can buy meat and cheese from local farmers.

4 things to do in Metz:

1. Go to the island of Solsi along the Great Bridge of the Dead with its seventeen arches, built in the 13th century, and learn the history of its name. Leave the island along the Middle Bridge of the Dead.
2. See the stone that covers the dragon's grave.
3. Go to Amneville, 10 km north of Metz, to take a walk through one of the largest zoos in Europe.
4. Go to Luxembourg for a day.

Not far from the cathedral there is an opera house built in the mid-18th century. This is the oldest opera house in the country. In front of the theater there is a Protestant church built by the Germans in the 19th century. This typical Lutheran church was at first perceived by the townspeople as an outrage against the appearance of the city, but today it has become one of its full-fledged symbols.

Another notable city building is the Church of Saint-Pierre, the oldest in France and one of the oldest in Europe. Its history dates back to the 4th century BC. e., when the building served as a Roman gymnasium. The gymnasium became a church at the Benedictine monastery in the 7th century, in the 11th it was decorated with a new nave, and from the 16th century to the 70s. In the 20th century, the building served as a warehouse. It was then restored and today is used for concerts and exhibitions. In addition to the Basilica of Saint-Pierre in Metz, there are baths from the Gallo-Roman heritage (at the base of the historical Museum of the Golden Court) and several fragments of the old aqueduct.

Another very picturesque attraction of Metz is its medieval castle bridge, which is called the German Bridge (also known as the Alleman Gate). This imposing structure - at once a bridge, a castle and a city gate - was built in the 13th century and was one of the last medieval castle bridges in the country. The gate-castle-bridge over the Seil protected the city from the east thanks to two fortified towers, half destroyed in 1944, but restored in 1946.

In general, medieval Metz is a classic European Old Town with narrow cobbled streets and arches. The Templar chapel on Place Saint-Louis is symbolic, but more than modest. Also from the Middle Ages, several other churches and hotels and two municipal granaries have been preserved in the city. Metz also has its own “House of Heads” - a Renaissance building built in the 16th century. Another postcard medieval attraction of the city is its stone bridges, of which the most famous are the Bridges of the Dead: the Big Bridge and the Middle Bridge, which continues it.

In the Middle Ages, the Christian shelter of St. Nicholas was responsible for the condition of the Great Bridge of the Dead. By episcopal decree in the 13th century, anyone who felt their own death was approaching was required to donate their best dress to the orphanage. The shelter sold clothes and used the proceeds to repair and maintain the bridge. Hence the name.

The three-hundred-meter-long railway station building (built in 1908) and the German-style Imperial Quarter surrounding it are also noteworthy. Unlike the rest of the city's buildings, which were made primarily of yellow limestone, this quarter was built with buildings made of pink and gray sandstone, granite and basalt. According to the plan of Wilhelm II, the area was intended to demonstrate the greatness of German culture and the nation in general. The architecture of the quarter mixes Germanic, Renaissance, neo-Romanesque and neoclassical styles, as well as elements of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Alsatian and Bavarian styles.

Place Saint-Jacques is the center of city life and the best place to have an afternoon coffee or a chic dinner. Once upon a time there was a Roman forum here. During the German occupation after World War I, Metz's Catholics feared that the city might become a second Verdun and asked the bishop to erect a statue of Our Lady for protection. Consent for this was received, and the bronze statue of Notre-Dame de Metz was placed on the square in 1924.

This is a sculpture almost 2 m high, which is installed on an 8-meter stone column. And during the second occupation in August 1940, patriotic citizens gathered around the column, expressing their desire to see their country free by violating the curfew and spontaneously starting Catholic chants. In memory of this, every year on the day of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary, August 15, a solemn procession from the cathedral takes place to the historical column.

The legendary symbol of Metz is the terrible dragon Graulli, who flew here from the Moselle and settled in the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater. Saint Clement, the first bishop of the city, was able to drive away the terrible monster in the 3rd century: he simply took it out of Metz, wrapping a piece of his vestment around the reptile’s neck. The saint brought Graulli to the island on Zeila, where the dragon fell underground. To be sure, the bishop rolled a block of stone on top, which is still shown to tourists to this day.

The Pompidou Center was opened in Metz only in 2010, but has already become the most visited museum in France outside of Paris. This is an ultra-modern building, which, with its external extravagance, leaves far behind the building of the same name in Paris. There are at least three permanent exhibitions inside, and visitors under 26 can view them for free.

Metz is a green city: it has more than 470 hectares of garden areas. Thanks to the abundance of rivers, excellent conditions have been created here for everything to bloom and turn green, and tributaries and rivulets form many islands in the center. Walking along them in the summer is a pleasure, as is the esplanade with a large fountain where young people relax. And in the city’s botanical garden, which was opened in 1866, more than 4,500 plants of different species were planted.

Popular hotels in Metz

Metz Events

In August, the city hosts a popular festival dedicated to the Mirabelle plum. This is a two-week festival with many open markets. There you can buy Mirabelle itself, Mirabelle tarts and Mirabelle liqueur. Plus, the festival features flower parades, art exhibitions, and at the end the coronation of the Mirabelle Queen.

Other Metz events include the Montgolfier balloon festival in September and the second most popular French Christmas market, which starts back in November. Also in early December, the city hosts a parade of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Lorraine.

Metz has been one of the main religious centers of France since ancient times. It is known that Bishop Gregory of Tours mentioned that after the destruction of Metz by the Huns on April 7, 451, only the Chapel of St. Stephen, built on the site of the ancient sanctuary, survived.

The history of the cathedral goes back a long way. From sources of the 8th century it is known that Bishop Hrodegang organized the construction of an ancient sanctuary on the territory - it was during this period that several parts of the temple were erected. In 869 the church hosted the coronation of Charles II. In 965-984, the cathedral was reconstructed at the expense of kings Otto I and Otto II.

During archaeological excavations carried out in the twentieth century, it was found that the modern cathedral stands almost exactly on the site of the ancient basilica. And in 1220 it was decided to build a large cathedral in Metz in honor of St. Stephen. Since then, six construction periods have passed, and the duration of the work was almost 300 years. The consecration of the new cathedral took place on April 11, 1552.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Its facades are decorated with sculptures and carvings. Due to its size, the cathedral is one of the largest in France. However, its main attraction is the luxurious stained glass windows of the 14th and 16th centuries - this is where the largest collection of stained glass windows in France is located. Among them are 19 stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Esplanade

Esplanade (Esplanade de Metz) is a city garden located in Metz to the west of the Metz-Centre quarter on the site of ancient defensive ditches, filled in in 1816 during urban planning work. Near the Esplanade are the Palace of Justice, the Templar Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the School of Fine Arts.

Beautiful alleys of linden and chestnut trees surround the picturesque central part of the garden, where there are flowering beds and a fountain. The esplanade is decorated with sculptures by artists representing the Metz school: a Naiad and a statue of Marshal Ney, a bronze horse of the famous Christophe Fraten. Here you can also see a sculpture of Paul Verlaine and the Soldier Liberator, a hero of the First World War.

The Esplanade is not just a beautiful garden for walking, but a historically important place in the city, as well as a site where active cultural life takes place. In February-March, the Foire de Carnaval fair is held here, and in the summer - the literary festival É t du Livre. At the end of summer, the Esplanade celebrates the festival of the Mirabelle plum - a real symbol of Metz. In winter, there is a Christmas market and an ice skating rink.

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Moselle River

The Moselle River flows through Luxembourg, Germany and France. Its length reaches five hundred and forty-four kilometers. The area of ​​the Moselle River basin is 28,286 square kilometers. This body of water originates on the slopes of the Ballon de Alsace hill. Below it passes through a narrow, deep and winding valley. Near the city of Koblenz the river flows into the Rhine. The main tributaries of the river are the Avier, Ruwer and Saar.

Typically, the Moselle experiences frequent floods from November to March.

The following major settlements are located on the river: Trier, Koblenz, Metz and Nancy.

The Moselle River is almost entirely navigable.

Several locks and hydroelectric power stations have been built on the river. The reservoir is crossed by the Rhine-Marne canal and is also connected by an eastern canal to the river Sonne.

The Moselle River Valley is considered a wine-growing area. This is the oldest wine region in France. Most of the products made here are exported.

The German Gate is the only fragment of the city fortifications of Metz that has survived to this day. On December 3, 1966, they were included in the list of historical monuments. Once upon a time, the gate, equipped with towers and battlements, was part of a stone bridge over the Sel River. The gate received its name in honor of the knights of the Teutonic Order, whose hospital was located nearby.

The construction of city fortifications began here in 1230, and in 1445, to control traffic on the bridge, gates were erected, consisting of two round towers, the architectural appearance of which was quite strict, devoid of a large number of decorative elements, excluding a small number of zoomorphic images. Only this part of the fortress wall has survived to this day, the total length of which reached seven kilometers and a thickness of 3.5 meters. An inscription from the 16th century has been preserved on the arch, preserving a mention of the initiators of construction and the architect.

Metz railway station building

The building of the Metz railway station is one of the sights of Metz.

The structure was erected in 1905-1908 in the neo-Romanesque style by a team of assistants led by the Berlin architect Jürgen Kröger. The length of the building is more than 300 meters. The central location is occupied by a 40-meter clock tower, which is built from a variety of building materials, not just the traditional oolitic limestone. Since 1909, the tower has been converted into bathhouses for station workers.

The station has been officially recognized as a historical monument since 1975. To this day, the façade of the building is in excellent condition. In the train departure hall and the old station buffet, all the original interior decoration is present.

Cathedral of Saint-Etienne

The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is considered the pride of Metz. Since 1930 it has been declared a historical monument. The cathedral is one hundred twenty-three meters long and forty-two meters high. It is no coincidence that it is considered the third largest cathedral in all of France.

The cathedral took several centuries to build. Back in the fifth century, a chapel was built in this place in honor of the first Christian martyr Stephen. And only this building was spared by the Huns, who plundered the entire city a few years later.

The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is also famous for the fact that in 869 the coronation of Charles II took place within its walls. In 1220 the chapel was rebuilt into a cathedral. However, it acquired its modern appearance in the eighteenth century according to the plan of the architect Jacques-François Blondel.

The cathedral building is made of oolitic limestone. Therefore, its walls have a golden yellow hue. The cathedral contains picturesque stained glass windows, the creation of which dates back to the 13th-20th centuries.

Temple Neuf Church

The Temple Neuf Church is a landmark of the city of Metz, and more specifically, the southwestern part of the island of Petit Soucy.

The Protestant church was erected in 1903 by the German architect Conrad Van in the neo-romantic style. The prototype of the temple was the Romanesque Speyer Cathedral, which was the tomb of the German-Roman emperors. Van identified the dull gray Vosges sandstone as the main building material. The church was consecrated in 1904. Kaiser Wilhelm II himself was present at the consecration of the church.

There is a cozy garden near the church - a great place for walks. In front of the church there is Comedy Square with a theater building, at the foot of which a guillotine was placed during the Revolution.

This church is currently active. Local Protestants constantly gather here.

Middle Bridge

Among the numerous architectural monuments of Metz, one of the most famous are the Great and Middle Bridges of the Dead, connecting the island of Solsi with the central areas of the city. The Middle Bridge of the Dead is most often called simply the Middle Bridge, simply because this formulation is shorter. In fact, it is actually an extension of the Great Bridge from which it takes its name.

The Big Bridge is much older than the Middle Bridge; until the end of the 13th century it was made of wood, until in 1282 a decision was made to build a stone bridge. By 1343 its construction had already been completed. In 1312, construction of the Middle Bridge began. These days, the bridges are very popular among travelers; visiting them is an obligatory part of a visit to Metz.

Of course, visiting the capital of Lorraine - Metz - means seeing how French and German culture come together. It is no secret that in the period from 1871 to 1918. and during World War II the city was an integral part of Germany. Therefore, local historians clearly speak of “French” and “German” Metz.
This is the oldest city, founded before our era, the Mediomatric Celts lived here, and in 451 the great Hunnic ruler Attila raged, destroying almost the entire city.
However, Metz is now famous for its magnificent medieval architecture and modern buildings. Personally, I would be interested to know what the two medieval Bridges of the Dead represent. It is said that through the Great Bridge of the Dead, which has 17 arches and dates back to the 13th century, you can easily reach the island of Solsi. Of course, it would be interesting to look at the building of the oldest opera house in France, dating back to the 18th century. But the main religious attraction of Metz is St. Stephen's Cathedral. In fact, these are two churches: the old one, built in the Romanesque style, and the new nave from the 13th century, which is 40 meters high and is considered the third tallest in France. By the way, St. Stephen's Cathedral is the only building in Metz that survived the invasion of Attila. So, Armory Square, the city center - these are our coordinates. As a cultural historian, what interests me most about the cathedral are the magnificent stained glass windows inherent in the Gothic style. In the 14th century, Hermann de Munster began working on them, in the 16th century, Valentin Bush continued, but in the 20th century, abstractionists Jacques Villon and the great Marc Chagall worked on stained glass windows. By the way, the latter spent ten whole years, from 1958 to 1968, creating 19 stained glass windows. The conditions for storing the icons were created by Roger Bissier.
But you shouldn’t go far from the cathedral. Opposite it is the bishop's palace, which now houses a covered market. Locals say that it is better to buy meat and cheese from farmers in these parts.
Another iconic building of the city, the Basilica of Saint-Pierre aux Nonnains, is considered the oldest in all of Lorraine, and possibly France. It's no joke - construction was completed in the 4th century. Nowadays exhibitions and concerts are regularly held here.
There is also a Lutheran New Church in the city, at the consecration of which Kaiser Wilhelm II was present in 1904, and a Templar chapel on Place Saint-Louis. The Renaissance “House of Heads” (16th century) is also interesting. I've heard a lot about the German Gate. We are talking about the only gate preserved in Metz. They are combined with a bridge over the Seil River. Construction began in 1230.
The city's aqueducts and baths are reminiscent of the Roman period. Artifacts found during their excavations should be looked for in the local history museum. Everyone who comes to Metz should definitely look at the wonderful stone. The fact is that, according to legend, in the 3rd century the city was attacked by the dragon Graulli. This monster came from the Moselle. The first bishop of Metz, Saint Clement, was able to drive him away. The priest brought the dragon to the island on Seil, where Graulli fell underground. And to ensure that the monster did not crawl out of the ground, the bishop installed a stone.
However, Metz does not live by history alone. This is a modern city. For example, since 1971 the University has been operating here, in 2005 it was named after the writer Paul Verlaine, a native of Metz. Since 2010, the Pompidou Center, a branch of the Paris Center, has been operating. This contemporary art museum with its extraordinary roof is considered the most visited museum in France outside the capital. If we drive 10 kilometers north from Metz, we find ourselves in Amneville, where the largest zoo in the Old World is located.
Oh, how I want to stroll through local parks and gardens (the area of ​​green spaces in the city is about 500 hectares), drink coffee at Place Saint-Jacques, see thousands of plants in the botanical garden or visit the Mirabell festival in August, dedicated to plums! I'm not particularly fond of this berry, so I'm unlikely to be interested in plum liqueur or the coronation show of the Mirabelle Queen. But in September, Metz traditionally hosts a balloon festival; at the end of November, the largest Christmas market in France starts; at the beginning of December, all the locals go to the parade of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city. Most likely, I will arrive in Metz at the end of November: I really love Christmas.

The capital of Lorraine and the Moselle department, the city of Metz (the French call it Masse) is located on the eastern bank of the Mozelle River. The appearance of the city dates back to the Roman period, when a fortified town was built on the site of modern Metz, which controlled the crossroads of trade routes. After the death of Charlemagne, the city became the capital of Lothair's empire; in the Middle Ages it proclaimed itself an independent republic, which it remained until it became part of France (1552).

A large border city, Metz has suffered more assaults, sieges and destruction in its lifetime than any other city in France. Therefore, it is not surprising that its only truly important attraction remains the magnificent Cathedral of Saint-Etienne de Metz (XIII-XVIII centuries), beautifully illuminated at night. Also in this garden city, as Metz is often called for its abundance of greenery, it is worth visiting Ville-Allemand - a strict and very well-kept German quarter with its impressive buildings, more like small fortresses, the gardens of the Esplanade above the Moselle, the beautiful classic Palace of Justice, the old arsenal (today - the prestigious concert hall L "Arsenal), the tiny island of Comedie with its classical 18th-century square, theater (the oldest in France) and a striking German-style Protestant church, Gothic galleries on Place Saint-Louis, luxurious old hill mansions Saint-Croix, the massive double gates of the Port de Alemany, which once protected the eastern entrance to the medieval city, the Cours d'Or Museum (an excellent collection of sculpture from the Gallo-Roman period), as well as the excellent Art Museum, which is being expanded in In the 1930s, Roman baths were discovered, which are now one of the exhibits of the museum.

Around the city you can find many interesting historical places, including the Museum of Motorcycles and Bicycles (more than 200 exhibits, all on the go!) and the Thermopolis balneological complex in the Bois de Coulanges, the famous Verdun (70 km west of Metz) with its Notre Dame Cathedral (XIV-XVI centuries), the underground galleries of the citadel and the Center for Peace and Law in the former bishop's palace, as well as numerous battlefields and memorials from both world wars, the equally famous Maginot Line - one of the largest (and useless !) defensive lines ever built by man (more than 400 km in length, 39 long-term defensive structures, 70 bunkers, 500 casemates and almost 1500 km of trenches, communication passages and gun platforms), open to the public forts of Fermont (50 km north from Verdun), Vaud, Dunamont and Souville (5 km east of Verdun), as well as Fort Fleury, which now houses the Memorial Museum (open daily, in February-March and from mid-November to mid-December - from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 until 17.00; from April to mid-September - from 9.00 to 18.00; from mid-September to mid-November - from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00; entrance 5 euros).

Metz in France is the ancient capital of Lorraine, located at the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers. The thousand-year history of the city impresses with many amazing events. Once upon a time, Celtic settlements and the possessions of the ancient Romans were located here; in the 12th-13th centuries, Metz was a free imperial city, then one of the Three Bishoprics; in the 19th-20th centuries, the city belonged to Germany, and then returned to France.

Entertainment and active recreation

Metz in France is an ancient city with a rich history, which has left a unique heritage in its appearance and unique attractions. In the heart of Metz, on the Place d'Armes, stands the symbol of the city - the majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral, consisting of an old Romanesque church and a nave. The 40 m high nave was added to the church in the 13th century and is the third largest in France, and in the 20th century the cathedral was decorated with 19 wonderful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Another legacy of the ancient history of Metz is the 4th century Basilica of Saint-Pierre, which is the oldest not only in Lorraine, but throughout France. Today the basilica hosts exhibitions and concerts. Also in Metz is the oldest opera house in all of France - a magnificent building built in the 18th century in the neoclassical style.

The city's Gallo-Roman past is represented by an aqueduct dating from the 2nd century and Roman baths discovered on the grounds of the Golden Court Museum, which houses an exhibition of sculptures and models of local architecture from different eras.

The German stage in the history of Metz is reminiscent of the German Gate of the 13th century - a powerful structure that is simultaneously a castle, a bridge and a gate, as well as a Lutheran church rising on one of the islands on the Moselle River, and the Imperial Quarter with a massive station building and elegant buildings in different architectural styles.

In Metz, it is pleasant to stroll along the ancient streets of the French and German quarters, cross the Moselle along the medieval bridges of the Dead, go shopping on the pedestrian street de Klerk, relax in cozy cafes on Place Saint-Jacques and in the marvelous gardens of the Esplanade.

Metz in France is also known as a cultural center. There is a grandiose museum and exhibition center for contemporary art here - a branch of the famous Paris Pompidou Center, and throughout the year the city hosts all sorts of festivals - from the colorful festival dedicated to the Mirabell plum to the balloon festival.