Day trip · Metz
Metz in one day: a cathedral of light, an emperor's railway station and a giant Chinese hat
Twenty-five minutes by train from Thionville, there's a city whose Gothic cathedral has the largest area of stained glass of any cathedral in France. A city whose station has been voted France's most beautiful railway station three times. And a city where a modern art museum was designed after a Chinese hat bought in a Paris shop.
That city is Metz. Plenty of people working around Thionville only ever see it from the motorway. Shame: one day is all it takes to fall for its golden stone.
Here's our walking itinerary to see Metz in one day without missing a thing.
Getting to Metz from Thionville or Hayange
By TER train from Thionville: about 25 minutes, with up to three trains an hour according to SNCF. It's the easiest option: no parking to find, and you arrive in a station that's part of the sightseeing.
From Hayange: there's no direct train to Metz. The best option is to drive to Thionville station (about 15 minutes), or drive all the way: around 30 km, about 30 minutes outside rush hour on the A31.
From Hettange-Grande: drive to Thionville station (about ten minutes), then 25 minutes on the TER.
Timetables and fares: see the TER Grand Est website (ter.sncf.com).
1. Metz station, voted France's most beautiful
Start where you arrive, and look up. Metz-Ville station was built between 1905 and 1908, when Metz was part of the German Empire. Its Rhineland neo-Romanesque style, grey stone and 40-metre clock tower were all meant to impress travellers and showcase imperial power. According to a story reported in the press at the time, Kaiser Wilhelm II sketched the tower's spire himself.
More than a century later, the public agreed it works: Metz won SNCF's most beautiful station in France contest in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
The Imperial Quarter
Around the station lies the Imperial Quarter (Quartier impérial), built from 1902 onwards: the main post office, the former Imperial Bank, the Governor's Palace. Neo-Romanesque, Flemish neo-Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Art Deco: it's an open-air architecture catalogue. Together with the French historic centre, it forms the "Metz royale et impériale" bid, on France's UNESCO World Heritage tentative list since 2014.
2. Centre Pompidou-Metz, the giant Chinese hat
Right behind the station, you can't miss it. The Centre Pompidou-Metz opened on 12 May 2010. Its huge white roof ripples like a tent. Architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines took their inspiration from a traditional Chinese hat Shigeru Ban had bought in Paris.
Look up at the spire: it stands 77 metres tall, a nod to 1977, the year the Centre Pompidou opened in Paris. Inside, three large galleries host changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Current exhibitions, hours and prices: centrepompidou-metz.fr.
3. Saint-Étienne Cathedral, "God's lantern"
Walk across the centre (about fifteen minutes) and push open the door of Saint-Étienne Cathedral. Then stop for a second.
The light hits you. Around 6,500 m² of stained glass, the largest glazed area of any cathedral in France. Hence its nickname, "la lanterne du Bon Dieu" (God's lantern), already in use in the 19th century. The nave vault rises to 41.41 metres, among the highest in France.
Construction took roughly three centuries, from the 1240s to the 1520s. And the story didn't stop there: look for the Marc Chagall windows, installed between 1958 and 1970, whose deep blue stands out against the medieval glass.
Tip: come on a sunny day, late morning or early afternoon, when the light pours through the most windows.
4. Metz covered market
Right next to the cathedral stands an elegant building with a funny backstory. The covered market was supposed to be the bishop's palace. Work began in 1785… then the French Revolution happened. No bishop ever moved in: the city bought the unfinished building and turned it into a market, completed in the 1820s and 1830s.
Today, the stalls mix Lorraine produce with food from around the world. Perfect for a tasty break and a few local specialities to take home.
Opening days and hours: check the tourist office website (tourisme-metz.com).
5. The Moselle riverside and the Temple Neuf
Head down to the water. On the Petit-Saulcy island, the Temple Neuf seems to float on the Moselle. Built in the early 20th century in the same Rhineland neo-Romanesque style as the station, it was inaugurated in 1904 by Kaiser Wilhelm II himself.
Along the quays, walkers, swans and the cathedral's reflection on the water make the classic Metz postcard. A perfect spot for a break in the sun.
6. Bonus: the Porte des Allemands
Got an hour left? Head east of the centre. The Porte des Allemands (Germans' Gate) is a remarkable castle-bridge spanning the Seille river. Its first towers date from the 13th century, the big ones from the 15th. At 28 metres high with walls 3.5 metres thick, it's one of the last remnants of Metz's medieval ramparts.
Metz at Christmas: the Christmas markets
From late November to late December, Metz transforms. In 2026, the Metz Christmas markets run from 20 November to 30 December across five squares in the centre: Place Saint-Louis, Place Saint-Jacques, Place d'Armes, Place de la République and Place de la Comédie. Expect around 130 chalets, a big wheel on Place d'Armes and the Lantern Trail (Sentier des Lanternes) in Square Boufflers.
Our tip: take the TER from Thionville. During market season, parking in the centre becomes a contact sport.
Metz in one day: the plan
| When | Stop |
|---|---|
| Morning | Station and Imperial Quarter, then Centre Pompidou-Metz |
| Midday | Covered market |
| Early afternoon | Saint-Étienne Cathedral |
| Afternoon | Moselle riverside, Temple Neuf, Porte des Allemands |
| In December | Christmas markets at dusk |
Want to stretch the weekend? Amnéville and its thermal baths are on the way: read things to do in Amnéville. To explore northern Moselle: things to do near Thionville or visiting Luxembourg from Moselle.
Where to stay to explore Metz and northern Moselle
Staying north of Metz puts the city half an hour away and Luxembourg within easy reach. Our ten apartments are split between Hayange (7), in the Fensch valley about 15 minutes from Thionville, and Hettange-Grande (3), north of Thionville near the Luxembourg border.
- 2 to 12 guests depending on the apartment, with separate beds.
- Equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, Smart TV, Nespresso machine and washing machine.
- Linen provided, self check-in and WhatsApp support.
Whether it's a work trip or a family weekend, book directly on our site: it's about 5% cheaper than Airbnb and Booking, whatever the length of stay. Book your stay
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Thionville to Metz?
By TER train in about 25 minutes, with up to three trains an hour. By car, allow around 30 minutes on the A31, depending on traffic.
What can you see in Metz in one day?
The station and Imperial Quarter, the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Saint-Étienne Cathedral, the covered market and the Moselle riverside with the Temple Neuf. All on foot.
Why is Metz Cathedral called "God's lantern"?
Because of its roughly 6,500 m² of stained glass, the largest glazed area of any cathedral in France, which floods the nave with light.
When are the Metz Christmas markets in 2026?
From 20 November to 30 December 2026, across five squares in the city centre.
Is the Centre Pompidou-Metz worth visiting?
Yes, if only for the architecture. Exhibitions change regularly, so check the programme on the official website before you go.