Metz, France

Metz (in French pronounced mes) located in the northeast of France, and is the capital of the Lorraine région and of the département (roughly equivalent to and American State, or Canadian Province) of Moselle. It has a population of roughly 125,000, and is located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.

Although historically Nanzig (Nancy) was the capital of Lotharingia, and later the French province of Lorraine, it was Metz which was chosen as the capital of the newly created région of Lorraine in the middle of the 20th century.

In ancient times Metz, then known as Divodurum (the town at the holy mountain), was the capital of the Celtic Mediomatrici, and the name of this tribe, abbreviated to Mettis, formed the origin of the present name. Metz became one of the principal towns of Gallia, rich for its wine exports and having one of the vastest amphitheatres of the country.
In 843 Metz became the capital of the Kingdom of Lotharingia.

After the death of king Lothar II, the kingdom of Lotharingia, and with it Metz, was contested and changed back and forth between the Eastern and the Western Frankish kingdom until 925, when it finally became part of the East kingdom, and subsequently the Holy Roman Empire.
Since King Sigibert I, Metz was frequently the residence of the Merovingian kings of Austrasia, and the reign of Queen Brunhilda reflected great splendour on the town.

Though the first Christian churches were to be found outside the city, the existence in the fifth century of the oratory of St. Stephen within the city walls has been fully proved. The ruins of those city walls are able to be viewed throughout the city today.

The city is famous for its yellow limestone architecture, la Pierre de Jaumont, and for its nickname “The Green City” – the city boasts 270 sq.ft of park, garden, or playground per inhabitant, so be sure to hire a car to make your way around Metz, as it is fairly spread out!

St. Etienne, a Gothic cathedral featuring stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall, is one of the many churches you’ll find worth a look in Metz.

Another, St-Pierre-aux-Nonnains (the oldest church in France), was built between 380 and 395AD as a Roman gymnasium, and was converted to a Christian church in the 7th century.

This is a modern city as well as being full of history, so rent a car and look around – there’s something for everyone in Metz.