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Latest Metz hotel reviews
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During the Middle Ages, the city of Metz built a large number of structures in order to defend the city. The medieval ramparts, mostly dating from the 13 th to 15 th century, once encircled the whole city. Today, only few parts of it remain preserved, mostly in the Northeastern corner of the city along the Seille and Moselle rivers. Over a dozen wall towers and gate towers remainpreserved. Most of them were maintained and staffed by the city's craft guilds and bear their names. That includes the Tour des Tailleurs (tailor's tower), the Porte en Chandellerue (chandler's gate) and many more following the same scheme.
Two larger lines of walls and towers remain: One at the confluence of Seille and Moselle with the large Devil's Tower directly at the confluence (no idea which guild was responsible for that one...). The other line is along the river Seille, just north of the famous Porte des Allemands (Germans' gate, see separate tip).
There are walking paths along the walls as well as paths on the opposite side of the Seille. The latter mentioned offer you a panoramic sight of the walls and towers. However, there are many trees and bushes on the right bank of the Seille, so that there are only a few spots from which you can enjoy a really good view. On the right bank of the Seille, you will also find the more modern structures left by Vauban in the 17 th century. A map with some explanations in French can be downloaded from the following site.
Written Nov 30, 2011
Website: http://www.metz.fr/metz2/decouvrir/jardin/pdf/rempart.pdf
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The Rue des Murs is not only a popular hangout place for the kids of the neighbouring school. It offers you also a good view of eastern part of the city. Note the small new amphiteatre in the park below which is often used for modern events.
Written Nov 30, 2011
Sainte Ségolène is a 13th century Gothic church, with predecessor buildings dating back to the year 912. The church was however heavily restored in modified in the 19th century which gave it a pure Neogothic appearance. In the church, you will find many examples of late medieval art as well as a large mosaic of the Archangel Michael.
Written Nov 26, 2011
Frac Lorraine is an organisation of artists with an own interactive space and exhibitions. They are open for visitors during the day. However, I didn't visit any of the exhibitions, but just went past and noticed some old buildings on their grounds, most notably a tower showing the coordinates (49° N 6°E) of this place. These buildings belong to the former Hotel Livier, a 12th century palace which is the oldest secular building in Metz. The tower was used as a defence tower and there was once a similar one on the opposite corner of this building complex. The coordinates were also taken over as a new official name for the building.
Written Nov 26, 2011
Address: 1 Rue Trinitaire
The Cloitre des Recollets is a former monastery of a Franciscan order which was built in the 12th century. In 1602, the order of the “Recollets” took over the monastery. Most buildings date from their time as well as the current name. Despite that, their time was relative short as it was dissolved during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. In 1791, an army corps was stationed here and in 1804, the church and one of the galleries in the cloister were demolished. After that, it was used as an orphanage. In 1972, the monastery was declared a national monument (Monument Historique) and the European Institute of Ecology moved in. Metz' city archives also have found a new home here.
Unless you have something to do with those institutions, you can not visit the buildings from inside. However, the cloister is open and from there, you will get an idea how the place looked like in past centuries.
Written Nov 26, 2011
This 12th century chapel was built by the Maltese order and is more famouns for its adjoining building. It is known as the maison de Rabelais, the place where the French author lived between 1545 and 1547. Much of the building has not been preserved, however, it is the last half-timbered building in Metz' old town. Occassional expositions take place here.
The Chapelle Saint-Genest de Metz remained in the property of the Maltese order right until the French revolution. In 1929, it became a national monument. The café Matisse in the courtyard belonging to both buildings is a good place for a small break in the historic Sainte-Croix district of Metz' old town.
Written Nov 25, 2011
This little square in the old town is considered to be the highes spot in Metz. Here, you will find a couple of buildings from the past centuries, including the "Hotel de la Bulette" which still has its 13th century gothic windows. The fountain of the square looks like it hasn't been used for ages. It once had figures of Christ and some apostles, which were destroyed during the French revolution.
Written Nov 25, 2011
Address: Place Sainte Croix, Metz
The water tower was erected to supply the steam engines with water. Therefore, it was built close to the train station in 1908, simultaneously to it. Like the train station, the water tower did not have only a functional aspect. Its style and its material were chosen to represent a symbol of “Germanisation” in Metz. Today, the water tower is not used anymore and the City of Metz still has not found a new function for the building.
Written Nov 25, 2011
This church built during the times of Emperor Constantine in 310. As no other French church of this time survived the centuries (including the destruction of many churches during Hun attacks in the 7 th century), this church is regarded as the oldest surviving in France. A monastery was constructed next to the church in the 15 th century, but this was dissolved and fell into disrepair. From 1556, it became part of the Citadelle and was used by the military. The church was desecrated in the 19 th century in the German era (and used for messenger pigeons). In 1946, it was abandoned by the military. Today, it is used as an exhibition and concert hall. Parts of the early medieval church can be seen in the Cour D’or Museum.
Updated Nov 20, 2011
German Gate is the translation for this majestic city gate. Although it faces Germany, that is not the reason for its name. That comes from a former hospital of the Teutonic Knights which was situated next to the gate. The two round towers on the city side of the Seille are from the 13 th century. The rest – including the gun bastions – dates from the 15 th century when the gatehouse was expanded to span both sides of the Seille. When Vauban rebuilt the city’s defence structures in 1674, the gatehouse was incorporated into the new city walls. A smaller gatehouse, built next to it during this period, did not survive the centuries. In the 19 th century, it was largely refurbished. Ironically, this was exactly during the short period when the city was part of Germany. Today it has almost no function, just the one as a bridge over the Seille.
Sometimes, you might think that it is a fortress, but indeed it is just an impressive gatehouse.
Written Nov 20, 2011
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Reviews and photos of Metz attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Metz sightseeing.
German Gate is the translation for this majestic city gate. Although it faces Germany, that is not the reason for its name. That comes from a former hospital of...
28 members live in Metz
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Metz: One of the Crossroads of History
The capital of Lorraine is the town of Metz, which dates back to ancient times. It was founded by the Celts, who named it Divodurum. The Romans occupied it from 51 BC until Attila the Hun sacked and...
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