Metz

If you're planning to spend one or more days in Metz, chances are your first stop in the city will be Place de la Comédie. Located on the Ile du Petit Saulcy, in the centre of the town, this lively square is home to the oldest French theatre still in operation, built in the first half of the 18th century. Just next door, you can admire the Temple Neuf, a Protestant temple of fine architecture that is beautifully lit at nightfall.

Another must-see in Metz, Saint-Etienne's Cathedral is no match for its neighbours in Strasbourg and Reims. It is the cathedral with the largest glass surface in France and the largest Gothic windows in Europe, giving it a unique presence and style. Its unique architecture is unsurprisingly the most visited monument in the city.

Located in the Rue de la Citadelle, in theEsplanade district, the Military Governor's Palace also catches the eye of passers-by. Built between 1902 and 1905 in a Flemish neo-renaissance style, this building was once the residence of Kaiser Wilhelm. Unfortunately, this architectural treasure is only open to visitors on Heritage Days.

Opened in Metz in 2010, the Centre Pompidou-Metz is considered to be one of the most important contemporary art museums in the Grand Est region. The first decentralisation of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

The museum building, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in collaboration with Jean de Gastines, is famous for its undulating hexagonal roof. In addition to its rich permanent exhibition, the Centre Pompidou-Metz regularly organises temporary exhibitions, as well as cultural events such as conferences, performances and film screenings.

By car, on foot, by bike or by public transport... whatever your preference, getting around Metz and the surrounding towns and cities is easy thanks to an extensive bus network, cycle paths and landscaped walks. You'll find all the information you need on theMetz Tourist Office website.

In Metz, as in the rest of Lorraine, the cuisine is generous and tasty. Among the local specialities not to be missed are quiche lorraine (a savoury pie filled with bacon and cheese), pâté lorrain (a pie made from minced pork, veal and onions, wrapped in puff pastry) and jambon de Lorraine (smoked and salted ham). As for desserts, mirabelles come in all shapes and sizes in tarts, jams and liqueurs served as an after-dinner drink.

To sample these culinary specialities in a convivial setting, we invite you to push open the doors of La Popote restaurant, located in the town centre. With its 1930s-style bistro decor, this establishment is all about traditional recipes. Other great places to eat include Chez Moi, with its cosy, atypical atmosphere, and Chez Baptiste, with its chic bistro style.