Metz

The great cathedral is the city’s principal landmark and fills the old town with a warm golden light.

The building is renowned for its vast expanses of stained glass and windows from several periods, including work associated with Marc Chagall.

Place d’Armes, the covered market and Place de Chambre lie immediately outside, making the cathedral a natural starting point for a city walk.

Allow time both for the interior and a circuit of the façade, where the Jaumont stone changes colour through the day.

The arts centre has made Metz one of France’s leading cities for modern and contemporary art outside Paris.

Designed by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, the building is distinguished by its great sweeping roof and bright exhibition galleries.

The programme includes changing exhibitions, concerts, films, talks and events, so check what is on before travelling.

Combine your visit with the Amphithéâtre district, Parc de la Seille and the monumental railway station.

Porte des Allemands is simultaneously a city gate, bridge and small fortress – one of the clearest surviving traces of medieval Metz.

The structure guards the historic entrance to Outre-Seille and combines towers, walls and bridges across the river.

A promenade along the Seille and the surviving fortifications offers a peaceful contrast to the shopping streets around the cathedral.

Combine the walk with Saint-Maximin church, where Jean Cocteau’s stained glass has an entirely different character from the cathedral’s Gothic windows.

The museum brings together Gallo-Roman finds, medieval art and fine art in a large complex at the heart of the historic city.

The displays partly occupy ancient baths and lead visitors through a network of historic rooms, staircases and architectural remains.

The Gallo-Roman collections present Metz as Divodurum, while the medieval galleries explore the city’s role in Austrasia and Lorraine.

Allow plenty of time: the museum is larger than its façade suggests and is particularly rewarding on a cool or rainy day.

The Quartier Impérial reflects the period when Metz was expanded with broad avenues, monumental buildings and a new railway station.

The architecture blends Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau and other historicist styles from the early twentieth century.

Metz-Ville station is the district’s principal landmark, while Avenue Foch is lined with villas and details in many different styles.

The district links the old town with Centre Pompidou-Metz and works well as a dedicated architectural walk.

The water gives Metz a surprisingly green and tranquil side only a few minutes from the cathedral.

Walk via Place de la Comédie to Temple Neuf, dramatically positioned between the river channels at Île du Petit-Saulcy.

Plan d’eau, the Esplanade park and the promenades along the Moselle are ideal for a break, a leisurely afternoon or a seasonal boat trip.

In the evening, churches, bridges and historic façades are reflected in the water, creating one of the city’s finest photographic walks.

Yozora is located within Centre Pompidou-Metz and combines French technique with Japanese influences in an ambitious tasting menu.

Led by Charles Coulombeau, the restaurant is closely connected to the art centre’s architecture and changing cultural programme.

This is a choice for a longer evening where the meal is the main event. Booking ahead and checking the menu, price and opening times are recommended.

A more informal daytime dining option is also available within the arts centre.

La Fleure de Ly serves seasonal French cuisine in a sixteenth-century townhouse near the cathedral.

Its secluded setting on Rue des Piques gives the restaurant an intimate atmosphere in the heart of the old town.

The kitchen works with market produce, fish and classic French flavours presented in a modern style.

The terrace is particularly pleasant on warm evenings, and the restaurant is easily combined with the cathedral and riverside promenade.

Émile & Lola combines local produce with modern bistro cooking in a warm setting near Place Saint-Thiébault.

The restaurant is conveniently located between Metz-Ville, Centre Pompidou-Metz and the historic centre.

The menu follows the seasons and combines terroir, creativity and home-style cooking.

A good dinner choice after arriving by train or after a day split between the arts centre and old town.

La Réserve is located in Hôtel La Citadelle and serves modern cuisine with a clear connection to Lorraine.

The restaurant occupies historic stone vaults in the former royal provisions store.

The menu highlights seasonal produce, vegetables and regional flavours in a refined bistro format.

Its location beside the Arsenal and Esplanade park makes it easy to combine dinner with culture and an evening walk through the centre.

Le Bistronome is on Place de Chambre and offers relaxed, central dining immediately beside the cathedral.

The kitchen draws on French bistro traditions and seasonal produce, with both classic and more contemporary combinations.

The location makes it particularly convenient for lunch during a city walk or dinner after exploring the old town.

Check the current menu and opening times on the restaurant’s own website before booking.

Le Romarin is near the railway station and serves creative modern cuisine in the Imperial Quarter.

The restaurant suits travellers staying around Avenue Foch or looking for dinner near the station.

The menu and style change with the seasons and available produce, with modern presentation and French flavours.

Check the latest menu, booking arrangements and opening times on the official website.

Nancy is Metz’s natural sister city and offers a very different view of Lorraine through Place Stanislas and Art Nouveau.

Begin with the monumental UNESCO ensemble around Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance.

Continue to Parc de la Pépinière, the old town, Villa Majorelle or Musée de l’École de Nancy.

Train is often the easiest option between the city centres, while a car is useful when combining the trip with villages or wine areas.

Luxembourg City offers an international day trip with fortifications, deep valleys and historic districts.

The Bock promontory and casemates overlook Grund and the Alzette Valley, while the old town is compact and easy to explore on foot.

The city combines UNESCO heritage, European institutions, museums and a multilingual restaurant scene.

Check rail connections and travel documents before departure, even though the journey remains within the Schengen Area.

Verdun and the battlefield around the city make a powerful full-day trip for travellers seeking to understand the First World War.

Mémorial de Verdun stands in the former battlefield and provides a modern introduction to the experiences of soldiers on both sides.

Fort Douaumont, Fort Vaux, trenches, destroyed villages and the Douaumont Ossuary are spread across a large area.

A car gives by far the greatest freedom. Plan the day at a measured pace and check opening times for each site.

Amnéville lies north of Metz and brings together a zoo, leisure attractions and activities for a family-friendly day trip.

The zoo is the principal attraction and usually requires several hours.

The area also offers other leisure activities, allowing the day to be adapted to the weather, age group and interests.

Driving is straightforward, although public transport options are also available from Metz. Check seasonal opening and transport before travelling.