Travel diary :
In town
Visit Metz in 2 days: a creative and modern escape on arrival!
Metz has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History) label, and is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the heart! As a creative city, Metz takes visitors on a sensory journey that turns our senses upside down.
DAY 1 - 10.00 am
A visit to the Centre Pompidou-Metz, a must-see!
A driving force in local cultural life, the Centre Pompidou-Metz is a must-see in the city! An art centre dedicated to modern and contemporary art, it regularly stages exhibitions, live shows and even film screenings. The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive is the original silhouette of the building, with its French and Japanese influences: its roof, which resembles a large Chinese hat, covers three exhibition galleries with a highly innovative structure! During your visit, you'll explore modern art from a number of different angles: historical or monographic, modern art is revealed in all its facets through regularly changing exhibitions.
12h00
Lunch at Mauricette's Marché Couvert
We head for Place de la Cathédrale and the Marché Couvert, a veritable temple of specialities from Metz. While all the stalls are packed with tasty nuggets, our heart goes out to Mauricette's, where you'll find a host of local products. We're tempted by the tasting board, a chance to sample all the specialities of Lorraine! You'll be able to taste all the specialities of Lorraine: fuseau lorrain, garlic ham, quiche lorraine, pies and pâtés from Lorraine...
Before setting off again, we'll stop off at the Distillerie de Mélanie, where you can discover and taste all the variations on the region's emblematic fruit: the mirabelle plum!
15h00
A sweet break!
It's time for a moment of sweetness to taste the typical delicacies of Metz and Lorraine. We can't leave out the "boulets de Metz", a chocolate speciality from the city that will delight even the sweetest of palates! A biscuit filled with a chocolate ganache, coated in a chocolate and caramel almond paste, covered in shards of hazelnut and dark or milk chocolate... we're asking for more! Not a fan of chocolate? Then why not try a mirabelle plum tart? You'll find this dessert on every table in Lorraine when the mirabelle plums arrive: a delicious shortcrust pastry topped with finely carved and delicately sweetened mirabelle plums... you'll want to try it again!
17h00
Selfie in front of Saint-Étienne Cathedral
France's third-highest cathedral, a jewel of Gothic art in Europe, famous for its stained glass windows by the greatest painters... this monument's record speaks for itself! And with good reason... The cathedral sits majestically and intensely on the Place d'Armes Jacques François Blondel, lighting up the whole town at nightfall; nicknamed "God's lantern", it shines with a thousand lights! As you enter the building, the lights shining through the stained glass windows plunge you into a peaceful atmosphere, guiding you on a spiritual journey.
19h30
Apéro'boat on the Moselle
Change your point of view and take to the water on the Moselle. Join the Compagnie des Bateaux de Metz on board the Graoully from the Quai Paul Vautrin for a 1? hour cruise through the heart of Metz's historic centre, where you can let yourself be carried along by the rhythm of the river!To prolong the pleasure, why not try an aperitif accompanied by a platter of regional cold meats and cheeses - so much fun!
22h00
An unusual night on a barge
How about extending the pleasure of this aquatic interlude? Let's leave a boat and head for a barge: the Octopus, along the Canal de Jouy, for an overnight stay! It's a unique experience that combines proximity to the city centre and an intimate getaway, with a "floating" room to ensure you wake up gently. You can also use the private terrace to soak up the morning sunshine, a natural vitamin D boost that's ideal for enjoying the rest of the day!
DAY 2 - 11.00 am
Visit to the Bianchi workshops
An artisan jeweller and designer since 1978, Maison Bianchi has been in business for over 40 years! The company invites us to visit its workshop to learn more about the art of watchmaking and jewellery: exclusive collections of watches, clocks and jewellery, from design to creation, all the secrets of this precise and fascinating art are revealed to us.
12h30
Bistronomy and gastronomy at La Réserve
Right in the heart of the city's historic centre, you're about to discover the culinary talents of chef Aurélien Prison at the La Réserve restaurant. Generous, gourmet and modern, Aurélien's cuisine surprises from the very first bite: a culinary firework display! From the décor to the plate, nothing has been left to chance: the refined ambience enhances Aurélien's neo-Lorraine cuisine: a wonderful discovery!
15h00
Learn the art of fusing with Annie
Join Annie in her workshop to learn about fusing: a technique for working with glass from assembly to creation! During the workshop, we take advantage of Annie's advice and anecdotes to learn more about the art that drives her. After the theory, we move on to the practice: after choosing the object we want to create, we let our creativity do the talking. At the end, you'll be proud to walk away with an object that you've created yourself, "it's me who made it"!
