Metz

Gothic Glory on the Moselle

Metz stands as a historic city in northeastern France where medieval architecture meets modern urban life. Its old town features stone buildings with intricate carvings and wide squares lined with cafes. The Cathedral of Saint Étienne showcases stunning stained glass and Gothic design. The city’s layout reflects centuries of cultural exchange between French, German and Luxembourg influences. Parks along the Moselle River provide quiet spaces for walking or relaxing by the water. Local markets sell fresh produce and regional cheeses, reflecting the area’s agricultural roots.

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City in France

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at main hotels, museums, and tourist attractions, but less so in small shops and restaurants. A few French phrases or a translation app can be very helpful for day-to-day conversations.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Metz Summary

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Great for historic architecture and culture. Visit the striking cathedral, explore art museums, walk riverside parks and enjoy cafés in elegant squares.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Spotless

Walkable

Local cuisine

Museums

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Metz, France

❄️

Jan

☁️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

☁️

Oct

☁️

Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep., Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Christmas market runs late November to 24 December, with Saint Nicholas celebrations on 6 December

Mirabelle plum harvest in August and the Fêtes de la Mirabelle in mid to late August

Many museums, including Centre Pompidou-Metz, close on Mondays or Tuesdays; some shops close on Sundays

Don't miss

⛪ Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Metz Cathedral
🖼️ Explore the Centre Pompidou-Metz contemporary art museum
🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Moselle river and enjoy city views
🌳 Relax at Esplanade garden surrounded by historic buildings
🏰 Discover ancient Roman ruins at the Porte des Allemands
🍷 Enjoy local Lorraine quiche and wines at a riverside café

You've been here?

Why travel to Metz?

Metz is a delight for anyone who loves architecture, art and a good dose of French-German culture. The Saint-Étienne Cathedral, with its dazzling stained glass and towering nave, is a true masterpiece, while the Centre Pompidou-Metz brings world-class contemporary art to the heart of the city. Wander through medieval lanes, cross bridges that date back centuries and soak up the atmosphere in vibrant squares like Place Saint-Louis. Metz’s food scene is a treat too – think quiche lorraine, mirabelle plums and Moselle wines. The city is compact and easy to explore, but summers can be hot and humid and winters cold with the chance of snow. Some attractions close early in the off-season and English isn’t always widely spoken outside tourist spots, so a little French goes a long way. Still, Metz’s charm, history and unique blend of cultures make it a rewarding stop.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Place d'Armes
2 Musée de la Cour d'Or
3 Centre Pompidou-Metz
4 Place Saint-Louis
5 Opéra-théâtre
6 Fort Queuleu

🎡Places for activities

1 Place de la Comédie
2 Place Saint-Louis
3 Porte des Allemands
4 Escape Hunt
5 Lasermaxx

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bras-Mort de la Moselle
2 L'Esplanade
3 Les Jardins Jean-Marie Pelt
4 La Seille

🛍️Shopping

1 Centre Saint-Jacques
2 L'ARTisan du Pain

🎈Events

Metz Mirabelle Plum Festival
Christmas Markets
Summer Music Festival
Metz Marathon
Heritage Days
Night of the Museums
Metz Light Festival
Open-air cinema
Art exhibitions at Centre Pompidou
Wine and Gastronomy Fair

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit the cathedral mid-morning for best stained-glass light.
Base yourself in the old town; most highlights are walkable along river promenades.
Plan time for Centre Pompidou-Metz; exhibitions change, so check opening hours in advance.
Do the ramparts walk by Porte des Allemands at golden hour – quiet, scenic and very photogenic.

How to travel to Metz

Metz is about 3 hours from Paris by car and regular trains connect the two cities. The Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport is 19 km south, with shuttle buses to the city center in about 30 minutes. High-speed trains link Metz to Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Germany, making it easy to include on a European itinerary.

Access summary

From Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport (ETZ): Shuttle bus to Metz, about 25–30 minutes.
From Paris: High-speed TGV train to Metz station, usually around 1.5 hours.
From Luxembourg City: Direct regional trains or driving, typically about 45–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Metz

Metz offers a range of accommodation, from boutique hotels in historic buildings to modern chains and cozy guesthouses. For the best experience, stay near the Old Town or the Imperial Quarter. Book ahead for festivals and summer weekends.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection

9.1

Campanile PRIME - Metz Centre Gare

8.8

Hotel Kyriad Metz Centre

8.6

Novotel Metz Centre

8.0

Hotel Mercure Metz Centre

8.5

Residhome Metz Lorraine

8.7

Maison Heler Metz, Curio Collection by Hilton

9.0

ibis Styles Metz Centre Gare

8.9

Campanile Metz Nord

9.0

Hotel Cecil Metz Gare

7.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Metz

Metz is compact and best explored on foot or by bike, with plenty of pedestrian zones and cycling paths. Public buses cover the city and nearby districts. Taxis are available, but parking in the center is limited. For regional trips, trains and buses connect Metz with nearby cities like Nancy and Luxembourg.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-8 %

Daily expenses in Metz are around 8% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£64	£128	£330
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£53	£113
🍝 Food per day	£30	£65	£182
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£10	£36

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£21
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£26
🤧 Cold medication	£13
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Metz is generally very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply, especially in crowded areas and at night. Watch for pickpockets in busy squares and markets and be mindful of traffic in the city center.

Health & Medical

Healthcare is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. No special health risks, but bring any personal medication. Pharmacies are easy to find and emergency services are reliable.

Accessibility

Most main attractions and public spaces are accessible, but some old town streets have cobblestones or uneven ground. Public transport is accessible, but check for step-free access at smaller stations or historic sites.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and good-tasting throughout Metz. Public fountains are available in parks and squares, so refilling your bottle is easy while exploring.