Metz

Day 1: Centre Pompidou-Metz and the Amphitheatre District

Begin with Metz’s boldest statement of contemporary culture in the district anchored by the Centre Pompidou-Metz, a short stroll from the main station. The day blends architecture, major exhibitions, and a gentle urban wander through new public spaces.

• Morning: Walk from Gare de Metz-Ville to the Centre Pompidou-Metz; take time outside to appreciate Shigeru Ban’s timber roof. Pick up a PASS‑M or Billet Liberté at the desk, and consider an English-language tour if available; note the museum is closed on Tuesdays and opens longer at weekends in summer.
• Midday: Explore the vast Endless Sunday exhibition (on show through February 2027); if visiting between June 2025 and February 2026, add the Copyists exhibition (in partnership with the Louvre). Break for lunch at the café or picnic on the parvis; in hot weather, the sweeping roof offers welcome shade.
• Afternoon: Take an architecture walk around the Amphitheatre District to see projects by Nicolas Michelin, Jean‑Paul Viguier, and Christian de Portzamparc, then drop back in for any scheduled film, dance, or talks in the auditorium. Families: check the Capsule or Paper Tube Studio workshop schedule before you go.
• Evening: Stay for golden-hour photos of the roofline (the museum typically remains open to 19:00 on Fri–Sun in peak season). Dine in the nearby Quartier Impérial and stroll back past the illuminated station and new public artworks.

Day 2: Two Millennia at the Musée de la Cour d’Or and a Public Art Trail

Today moves through layers of history, from Roman Divodurum to Merovingian sculpture, before stepping into the city-as-gallery outdoors. Free entry at the museum makes it easy to take your time or split your visit around a leisurely lunch.

• Morning: Start at the Musée de la Cour d’Or to walk above in‑situ Roman baths, then see landmarks like Merten’s column and the Mithra altar. Arrive early for quieter galleries and mind the uneven floors and steps in historic sections.
• Midday: Continue into the medieval collections to find the celebrated chancel from Saint‑Pierre‑aux‑Nonnains and preserved 13th‑century street segments. Pause for lunch in the old town; thanks to free admission, you can dip back in for specific rooms without pressure.
• Afternoon: Set off on a public‑art loop to Square du Général Giraud for Bernard Venet’s 221.5° ARC x 15, whose Corten steel nods to Lorraine’s metallurgy. Carry on to spot contemporary pieces in the centre, including works by Xavier Veilhan; in summer, bring water and plan shady breaks, while in winter keep the loop compact.
• Evening: Linger in the historic streets as the lights come on, or check for any evening talks and special events. Choose a cosy bistro and recap your favourite finds from the museum.

Day 3: FRAC Lorraine, Living Gardens, and a Collector’s Detour

Shift to Metz’s cutting-edge side in a 12th‑century setting, then finish with a gallery visit beyond the city limits. It’s a day for fresh perspectives, from experimental collections to living artwork in the garden.

• Morning: Ease into the day with coffee in the centre; FRAC Lorraine opens later, so use the morning for a relaxed wander or a short excursion to Galerie 125 in nearby Argancy (pre‑book; it mixes modern masters with contemporary street art).
• Midday: Return to Metz for lunch in the old town; if the weather’s fine, choose a terrace and map your FRAC priorities (performance, moving image, or the current thematic show).
• Afternoon: Visit FRAC Lorraine (49 Nord 6 Est) at the Hôtel Saint‑Livier; admission is free and hours are typically 14:00–18:00 Tue–Fri and 11:00–19:00 on weekends. Explore a collection attentive to women artists and alternative canons, then step into Liliana Motta’s garden to consider “alien plants” and adaptation; families should check the hands‑on workshop calendar (activities exist even for very young children).
• Evening: If there’s a performance or screening on, pair it with an early dinner nearby; otherwise, close the trip with a gentle riverside or city‑centre stroll and one last look at the public art you’ve been collecting with your eyes. For departures, the station is an easy walk, and most institutions provide multilingual information if you need a final stop for catalogues or souvenirs.

By Air

• Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport (ETZ): about 20 km south of Metz (20–30 minutes by car/taxi). Limited scheduled flights plus seasonal charters.
• Luxembourg Airport (LUX): around 75 km (45–60 minutes by car). About 1h15–1h30 via train to Luxembourg city then airport bus.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): direct TGV from Lorraine TGV station to CDG Terminal 2 in roughly 1h15; allow about 1h45–2h total from Metz including the transfer to Lorraine TGV.
• Strasbourg Airport (SXB): about 160 km (1h40–2h by car); rail via Strasbourg station plus short airport shuttle.

By Train

• Main station: Metz-Ville (central; short walk to the Centre Pompidou-Metz).
• High-speed hub: Lorraine TGV (Louvigny) with TGVs to Paris CDG, Marne-la-Vallée, Strasbourg and other cities; linked to Metz by shuttle/TER services.
• Typical journey times from Metz-Ville:
  • Paris (Gare de l’Est): 1h20–1h30 (TGV).
  • Luxembourg: 45–55 minutes (TER).
  • Nancy: 35–45 minutes (TER).
  • Strasbourg: about 1h20–1h40 (TER/TGV).
• Operators: SNCF (TGV inOui, TER Grand Est); easy connections via Forbach/Saarbrücken to Germany (ICE to Frankfurt).

By Coach/Bus

• Long-distance coaches (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) serve Metz with frequent links to Paris (about 3.5–5 hours), Luxembourg (around 1–1.5 hours), Strasbourg (about 2–3 hours) and Brussels (roughly 4–5 hours).
• Main stop: Metz bus station (Gare routière) by Metz-Ville station.

By Car

• Motorways: A4 (Paris–Reims–Metz–Strasbourg) and A31 (Luxembourg–Metz–Nancy–Dijon).
• Approximate drive times in normal traffic:
  • Luxembourg City: 45–60 minutes (A31).
  • Nancy: 45–50 minutes (A31).
  • Strasbourg: 1h45–2h (A4).
  • Paris: 3h30–4h (A4).
  • Brussels: 3–3h30 (via Luxembourg/E411 or via Reims/A26–A4).