Metz Tourist Attractions
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Metz, chief town of the département of Moselle and the region of Lorraine, the see of a bishop and a university town since 1971, lies at the junction of the Seille and the Moselle, which at this point is divided into a number of arms. It is an industrial and commercial city.Metz, under the name of Dividorum, was a place of some consequence in Roman times. In the sixth century it was a residence of the Merovingian kings, and later became a free imperial city. It was incorporated in France in 1552. From 1870 to 1918 and during the Second World War it belonged to the German Reich and was capital of the province of Lorraine.
Cathedral of St Etienne
The Cathedral of St Etienne dominates the Old Town of Metz. The Gothic cathedral, made of yellow sandstone, displays a fabulous facade, and contains a 16th C choir.
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Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
In Metz, northeast of the cathedral is the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, which contains in the basement the excavated remains of Roman structures and also incorporates the old municipal granary (15th C.). The exhibits include Gallo-Roman finds and examples of medieval religious art and architecture. There is also an art gallery.
St Vincent
In Metz, below the cathedral, on the far side of the Moselle, is the wide Place de la Comédie, in which are the theater and a number of handsome Baroque Metz buildings. The church of St-Vincent, originally Gothic, has a heavy Baroque facade and two elegant towers over the choir.
Metz Esplanade
In Metz, on the southwest side of the inner city is the Esplanade, from the beautiful terrace of which there are views of the Moselle valley and Mont St-Quentin (350 m/1,150ft; view). On the north side of the Esplanade is the 18th C. Palais de Justice (Law Courts). To the south is the church of St-Pierre- aux-Nonnains, originally a Roman basilica or an early Christian church, which belonged to a Benedictine abbey founded in the seventh C. In the 16th C. the church was incorporated in the town's defenses.
Metz Cultural Center
The Cultural Center in Metz, converted from an old 19th C. arsenal by the architect Ricardo Bofill, contains a large exhibition hall, two concert halls and rehearsal rooms. Nearby is a small octagonal Templar chapel which dates from the 12th C.
St Martin
In Metz, beyond the Place de la République is the church of St-Martin (1202), with remains of old stained glass (15th, 16th and 19th C.), a charming funeral monument with a representation of the Virgin lying in (15th C.) and a Baroque organ gallery.
Porte des Allemands
In Metz, from the center of the old town Rue des Allemands runs east to the Porte des Allemands, a massive defense work projecting over the Seille, with two round towers (13th C.) on the inner side and two 15th C. bastions on the outer side. It is the last relic of the town's medieval fortifications.
St Maximin
On the banks of the Seille in Metz, south of the Porte des Allemands, is the church of St- Maximin, which dates in part from the 12th C. and has stained glass by Jean Cocteau.Farther south is the modern church of Ste- Thérèse-l'Enfant (1954), with fine stained glass.
International Meeting of Contemporary Music
This annual festival runs through one weekend in late November and usually includes about a dozen performances. The events include numerous world premieres in such categories as opera, dance, theater, film and music. The performances take place in various venues, including the Arsenal Concert Hall, the theater and the local churches.
Abbaye des Prémontrés
The abbey of Prémontré, northeast of Paris in the Forêt de Coucy, was the mother house of the Premonstratensian order, founded in 1120. The abbey was rebuilt in the 18th C.
Plum Festival
This week-long festival runs from late August to early September.
Surroundings
Hagondange
At Hagondange, 15km/9mi north of Metz, is a recently opened leisure park, Le Nouveau Monde des Schtroumpfs.
Map of Metz Attractions
Map - Metz
