METZ
an historic city with a fascinating townscape
Set in a ring of gardens and lakes, the historic old town is quintessentially European, combining haute couture with urban elegance with the inauguration of the Centre Pompidou-Metz in 2010, the new highpoint of contemporary art, designed by the architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines. Close to three international borders (with Germany, Luxemburg and Belgium), capital of the Lorraine Region, Greater Metz has a population of 400.000, and is only 82 mins from Paris with the TGV.
Metz is an architectural cameo: Gallo-Roman remains, a medieval old town, 18thC squares, the 1900 Imperial District, the contemporary Amphitheatre District, Metz is several very different districts that blend in perfect harmony. Built from 1220 to 1520, Saint-Etienne’s cathedral, with its magnificent 13th to 20th C stained glass (Chagall…), towers above the city. Its 140ft-high Gothic nave is one of the most impressive of its kind in the world. The Imperial District (round the railway station) is a perfectly preserved example of German Town planning at the turn of the 20thC : an amazing encyclopaedia of historic and contemporary styles. A formal request has been made for its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The museums la Cour d’Or present fascinating treasures : a rabbit-warren of galleries and passages leads to carefully preserved Gallo-Roman baths in the 15thC Chèvremont storerooms.
Winner of the French and European Flowered City Competitions, Metz is one of the greenest cities in France (25m2 per resident). The Marina (awarded the European Blue Flag) and the regatta quay are in the heart of the city, and much appreciated by all who love boating in all its forms. The city offers as well top class sport facilities: 5 golf courses within 15 miles, canoeing, baseball, swimming, wind-surfing, rowing…
As night falls the city comes on stage and thanks to its illuminations becomes the larger-than-life star of the show. Metz recently won the National Grand Prix for Lighting awarded by the National Academy of Street Arts.
Enjoy the Dolce Vita at the terrace cafés and in the tea-rooms, the friendly atmosphere in the markets…offering a fabulous, relaxed way of life. A number of highly reputed restaurants offer local cuisine and inventive gourmet dishes. Get the “Tables de Rabelais” brochure from the Tourist Office (the partners of this sign for gourmet restaurants offer a special French art of living and ensure the authenticity of the regional dishes and products they serve). Metz, a shopping city to the core, has also many night-spots and places of special interest for day-time visits that will satisfy all tastes and ages, and entertainments and events all year round : Mirabelle Festival (one week end of August – beginning of September, to celebrate the beautiful golden plum which is Lorraine’s regional emblem), Christmas market from late November to late December plus Advent Celebrations, Constellation in May, Nuit Blanche in October, Metz Plage and Metz en Fêtes in summer…as well as cultural events at the Arsenal, Opera-Theatre and the Trinitaires.
Office de Tourisme de Metz Cathédrale
2 place d’Armes
BP 80367
57007 Metz Cedex
Tél : +33(0)3 87 55 53 76
Fax : +33 (0)3 87 36 59 43
Site : http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr
E-mail : tourisme@ot.mairie-metz.fr
Ouvert du lundi au samedi de 9h à 19h.
Dimanches et jours fériés :
avril à septembre de 10h à 17h –
octobre à mars de 10h à 15h.
Metz Métropole Découverte
Hall des départs Gare SNCF –
place du Général de Gaulle
WHAT’S ON…
Constellation & Nuit Blanche
2009 - from May 15 to October
Inauguration on May 15th, 16th and 17th, 2009. Continuation of these special exhibitions till the Nuit Blanche- Event prefiguring the future Centre Pompidou-Metz. Route in the Region to discover or rediscover works of art of the National Collections of Contemporary Art in cultural places.
Nuit Blanche - October: a musical event highlighting popular and contemporary music.
http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr
Summer in Metz
2009 - July and August
A wide range of exciting events, free shows and concerts where you can share friendly and entertaining moments in the city's squares, on the water's edge, in public gardens, including Metz Plage (Metz Beach) in August (Open-air activities and events, summer fun in the city !).
http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr
SPECIAL OFFERS
Destination Metz
All year round
2 days / 1 night - from 68 euros per person
1 night B&B (including 1 meal of regional specialties) + 1 audio tour (price per person sharing a double room in a 2* hotel - subject to availability).
Transport and drinks not included and extra charge for single room available on request.
Wonderful weekend consisting of three basic elements: 1 night B&B in a charming hotel, 1 meal of regional specialties an 1 audio tour to discover the city.
Incoming Tourist Reception Department
Office de Tourisme de Metz
2 place d'Armes
BP 80367,
57007 Metz Cedex
Tel : +33 (0)3 87 55 53 75
Fax : +33 (0)3 87 36 59 43
E-mail : resareceptif@ot.mairie-metz.fr
http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr
Railway station /TGV: less than 1h30 min from Paris, Airport: Metz-Nancy-Lorraine (30 min from city center), Airport in Luxembourg (60 km from Metz), Motorways A4, A31
City Break: a Romantic City
All year round
2 days / 1 night ,
From 94 euros, 1 night B&B (including 1 evening meal + 1 audio tour + 1 discovery pack + a gift to remind you of your stay (price per person sharing a double room in a 2* hotel - subject to availability).
Transport and drinks not included and extra charge for single room available on request.
Metz, a city for lovers, offers exciting holidays with delicious meals and walks in the moonlight. Suggestio : rendezvous in the Garden of Love and take a walk along the banks of the Moselle and the Seille.
Incoming Tourist Reception Department
Office de Tourisme de Metz
2 place d'Armes
BP 80367,
57007 Metz Cedex
Tel : +33 (0)3 87 55 53 75
Fax : +33 (0)3 87 36 59 43
E-mail : resareceptif@ot.mairie-metz.fr
http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr
Railway station /TGV: less than 1h30 min from Paris, Airport : Metz-Nancy-Lorraine (30 min from city center), Airport in Luxembourg (60 km from Metz), Motorways A4, A31
