Metz
Lorraine City Of Golden Jaumont Stone With The CathéDrale Saint ÉTienne, 'God'S Lantern', Famous For Its Vast Stained Glass Including Windows By Chagall, And The Centre Pompidou Metz · Metz, Grand Est
Metz is an old city on the Moselle in Lorraine, built largely of yellow Jaumont limestone that glows gold in sunlight. Its centrepiece is the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, a Gothic cathedral with one of the tallest naves in France and so much stained glass, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, that it is nicknamed God's lantern; windows by Marc Chagall are among the most admired. Near the station, the Centre Pompidou-Metz, opened in 2010 as a regional branch of the Paris museum, shows large modern and contemporary art exhibitions under a wavy woven timber roof designed by Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines. Between 1871 and 1918 Metz was part of the German Empire, and the Imperial Quarter and the monumental railway station from that period are as distinctive as the medieval centre. The city also has a covered market by the cathedral, riverside gardens on the Moselle islands, the Porte des Allemands gate and one of the oldest churches in France. In late August the mirabelle plum festival fills the streets. Nancy and Luxembourg are both close by train.
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Metz, Moselle, Metz, Grand Est, France
The streets, squares, riverside gardens and the exterior of the German quarter are open at all times. The cathedral is open daily from morning to early evening, with visits limited during services, and its treasury and crypt, where open, have shorter hours and a small charge, confirm. The Centre Pompidou-Metz is generally closed on Tuesdays, open the other days from late morning or mid morning to the early evening, with some later openings; galleries rotate, so part of the building can be closed while exhibitions change, confirm before a trip built around a specific show. The Musée de la Cour d'Or keeps its own hours and closing days. The covered market beside the cathedral is open from Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Sundays and Mondays, confirm. The Christmas market runs from late November through December, and the Fêtes de la Mirabelle take place in late August, both bringing big crowds. Parking in the centre is mostly in underground car parks, busy on Saturdays. Many shops close on Sunday, and some restaurants close on Sunday evening and Monday.