LESS than two hours from the UK is a picturesque city that you have probably never heard of – despite it once being a capital city.
Located close to the borders of Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, the small French city of Metz is full of character.
The city of Metz is less than two hours from the UK[/caption]
In the city, there is a lot of history including a grand cathedral[/caption]
In fact, throughout its history the city has been the capital of a number of regions.
For example, it used to be the capital of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia.
It was the capital of the Lorraine region as well, famous for creating Quiche Lorraine.
Though it has never been the capital of France as a whole, today it remains the capital of the Moselle department of the country.
Visitors heading to the city can expect to see honey-coloured stone and German-inspired architecture, especially in the ‘Imperial Quarter’.
Buildings to look out for include Gare de Metz-Ville, which is often considered as one of France’s most beautiful train stations.
Unlike larger French cities that often require a few days to explore, Metz provides the ideal day trip with most of the sights in close proximity to each other.
It can be reached within an hour and a half from Paris on the TGV high-speed train.
One of the top places to visit in the city, is Cathédrale Saint Étienne de Metz, which is more than 750 years old.
The church began construction back in 1235 but wasn’t complete until three centuries later.
On the outside, visitors can admire intricate stone carvings and the third-tallest nave in France.
Then on the inside, you can stand in awe of the largest stained-glass windows in Europe.
The giant windows feature both Gothic and Renaissance designs, set against the honey limestone and led to the cathedral being nicknamed ‘God’s lantern’.
If you prefer art, head to Centre Pompidou-Metz, which features Europe’s largest modern-art collection.
The museum once housed the famous banana taped to a wall artwork – also know as Comedian – by Maurizio Cattelan.
The city is also known for being extremely walkable, with a lot of green spaces such as Jardin de l’Esplanade de Metz, which overlooks the Moselle River Valley.
Moselle River runs through the city as well, making it very scenic[/caption]
Place Saint-Louis – a medieval square – is the ideal spot for exploring quaint cafes[/caption]
There is also Place Saint-Louis – a medieval square lined quaint cafes and restaurants.
Make sure to look out for Mirabelle Plum on the menus; it is the emblem of the Lorraine region and can usually be found in tarts, jams and brandy.
And for those who love markets, there is also a covered market in the city, house in a build that was intended as the Episcopal Palace.
The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday and there are a large number of stalls selling local cheeses, as well as vegetables, fruit and pastries.
As for places to stay, there is a rather bizarre hotel with a castle on top of it.
The Maison Heler is a nine-storey hotel, which is topped by a 19th-century style mansion.
And the city is home to a bizarre hotel with a castle on top[/caption]
The quirky design feature is where the hotel’s restaurant, bar and events space is located[/caption]
Visitors can also head to the Centre Pompidou-Metz, which features Europe’s largest modern-art collection[/caption]
The hotel was designed by a French architect called Philippe Starck, who came up with a fictional back story to the hotel, where it belongs to an inventor named Manfred Heler, whose home was one day lifted into the air.
In reality, the quirky design feature is where the hotel’s restaurant, bar and events space is located.
The city also hosts one of the most visited Christmas markets in France, with two million people travelling to the event each year.
There are many different things to do at the market including a wheel that reaches 60metres above the ground.
For those who prefer to stay on the ground, there is also ice skating.
Around the rink there are a number of chalets too, to grab a hot drink or bit to each.
At the start of December, there is also a seven kilometre-long trail that passes through the city centre.
A room at an ibis hotel in the city centre can be found as low as £51 per night.
The quickest way to get from the UK to Metz is by flying to Luxembourg and then jumping on a 42-minute train to Metz.
Return flights to Luxembourg cost as little as £26 per person and take only one-hour-and-15-minutes.
The French town that looks more like Italy
TERRACOTTA rooftops, Roman arches and a major music festival attract tourists to a town in France – which looks more like Italy.
Clisson, located in the Loire-Atlantique department of western France, is home to only 3,000 people but is a hidden gem not to be missed.
The village underwent a radical transformation in the the early 19th century, following devastation caused by the French Revolution.
Perhaps the most apparently Italian-inspired attraction in the town is the Domaine de la Garenne Lemot.
The 13th century Château towers over the Sèvre Nantaise River and is surrounded by other Mediterranean-inspired buildings.
The Sèvre Nantaise River weaves through the town, which makes it a popular place for paddle-boarding, kayaking and riverside wandering.
In the town itself, visitors can enjoy the Halles de Clisson, which is a covered market dating back to the 14th century.
Hellfest is one of Europe’s biggest metal music festivals and each year over 180,000 people gather in the town to enjoy a rock music from a range of artists.
There is also a ‘secret’ French town away from the crowds.
Plus, there is a tiny French town which people say is just like a stunning British city.
The quickest way to get to the city is to fly to Luxembourg, then grab a train to the city[/caption]
