Discover Metz: city gate, cathedral and culture

The Porte des Allemands, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and the museums reveal different sides of Metz: medieval fortifications, stained glass, collections and architecture. You can explore these highlights separately during your stay and also include activities at the Plan d’eau.

Buildings and collections in Metz

The Porte des Allemands is the only medieval city gate in Metz that is still standing. It hosts exhibitions, performances, conferences and meetings. The structure includes several halls, a private garden and a panoramic terrace. In this way, the history of the city gate is linked to a range of uses today. Check the current opening hours and visitor information before your visit.

Two figures make the scale of Cathédrale Saint-Étienne especially clear: the nave is 41.41 metres high, and the cathedral has around 6,500 m² of stained-glass windows. The windows date from the 13th to the 20th century. The height of the church interior and the extent of stained glass created over several centuries thus sit side by side, offering different points of reference as you explore the building.

The Centre Pompidou-Metz also offers a striking architectural highlight. Its roof is woven from enormous beams and reaches a height of 77 metres at its highest point. You can explore the architecture and exhibitions at your own pace, on a group visit or with the help of podcasts. The programme also includes performances, conferences, film screenings, dance, performances, concerts and guided visits. Check the venue’s current programme before your trip.

The Musée de La Cour d’Or presents Gallo-Roman treasures, medieval painted ceilings and paintings by the École de Metz across 6,000 m² of exhibition space. Its collections therefore range from the Gallo-Roman period to medieval painting and interiors. As exhibition displays may change, it is worth checking what is currently on offer before your visit.

The Pavillon de la Biodiversité opened in August 2025. Its 360 m² exhibition space is devoted to biodiversity and includes collections of taxidermied animals, herbaria and minerals. Check current access information before your visit.

Planning your visit and getting around

For a visit to the Musée de La Cour d’Or, local visitor information gives two options from Metz station: the museum is a 20-minute walk away, and bus routes 3 and 83 run directly to the Place d’Armes stop. Check the route and stops before travelling so your journey to the museum fits your plans for the day.

If you are interested in fortifications and historic buildings, the Circuit des Remparts offers a different perspective from a museum visit. The signposted, interpretive route leads to Metz’s defensive towers, bridges and gates. You can explore the route as a theme in its own right, alongside the cathedral and collections. Check route conditions locally.

Plan d’eau: activities on and off the water

At the Plan d’eau de Metz, you can take a cruise or rent pedal boats, electric boats that do not require a licence, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. You can also learn to row there or join a local water sports club. Some water activities are seasonal, so check in advance when the activity you are interested in is available.

The Plan d’eau grounds can also be explored on foot or by bike, with walking paths available. Other facilities include the renovated mini-golf course on Île du Saulcy, playgrounds and boules courts. As individual facilities may change, it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.

The different options cater to different interests: the Circuit des Remparts focuses on defensive towers, bridges and gates, while the Plan d’eau centres on water activities and paths around the grounds. For a culture-focused stay, the cathedral and museums add stained glass, collections and architecture to the mix. Plan your visits around the topics that interest you most, and take the relevant visitor information into account.

Discover more destinations: Brulange, Sierck-les-Bains, Berling, Langatte, Boulay-Moselle, La Maxe, Bérig-Vintrange, Waltembourg

For the broader travel overview: Moselle.