As in Colmar, there are several Christmas markets in Metz. One of the most impressive is surely the one set up at the foot of the majestic cathedral. Whatever the case, these Christmas markets are among our favourites in France! In the blink of an eye, we're plunged into the magical atmosphere of the festive season. On the menu: 130 chalets, thousands of illuminations, attractions and that special touch of magic. If you plan your visit to the Metz Christmas Market in advance, you'll be sure to make the most of it all. Follow our handy guide!
A city-wide Christmas market
The Metz Christmas markets are spread across five squares in the city, each with its own unique atmosphere. We began our discoveries with place de la Républiquewith its huge, shining Christmas tree. The stage is set! Around it, chalets, merry-go-rounds and the City Skyliner plunge young and old into a fairytale setting. This is also the venue for the Chalets solidaires operation, open to local associations committed to solidarity, inclusion and the ecological transition.
We then head for Place Saint-Louis, with its medieval arches. Here, we'll be discovering local tradition and know-how, with craftsmen and handmade objects on display! Just 350 m further on, we head for Place Saint-Jacques, where gourmets can feast on specialities from Lorraine. Quiches, mirabelle plum tarts and Nancy macaroons are all on offer! All accompanied by a nice hot chocolate, of course..
With our hearts in our mouths, we then discovered the Christmas market on the Place de la Comédie, between the Temple Neuf and the Opéra-Théâtre, two not-to-be-missed places to visit in Metz. Finally, the highlight is the Place d'Armes - J.F. Blondel, at the foot of the majestic cathedral. Under its Christmas lights, Metz has never been more deserving of its nickname of glittering city!
Good to know: shops and businesses in Metz generally remain open on the Sundays before Christmas.
Timetables for the Metz Christmas market
The chalets in the Place de la République, Place d'Armes - J. F. Blondel, Place Saint-Jacques and Place Saint-Louis open from 11am to 9pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On 24 December, they close at 4pm, then at 8pm on 30 December. (Closed on 25 December.)
The Place de la Comédie in Metz comes alive a little later: from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays and from 11am to 11pm at weekends. It remains closed on 24 and 25 December, but will be offering a final gourmet evening on 30 December from 5pm to 8pm. Food lovers beware!
Read the article: Top 12 of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany
Preparing for your visit to the Metz Christmas market: surrounding attractions
We quickly realised that in Metz, the magic of Christmas goes far beyond the chalets! There's plenty of entertainment all over the city, creating a joyous atmosphere from morning till night.
To extend the experience, you can discover Metz at dusk through its forgotten legends and magical atmosphere by booking your guided tour here.
Take to the skies at the heart of the illuminations
The Ferris wheel on Place d'Armes - J.F. Blondel gave us a spectacular view of the cathedral and the market lights. It's one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, so don't hesitate to visit it. A few steps away, we also ventured up to the City Skyliner, with its 81-metre panoramic tower in Place de la République. It offers breathtaking views of Metz and Mont Saint-Quentin!
Enchanting walks on water and land
If we chose Metz as the place to spend Christmas, it's also because, every year, the city enchants young and old alike with Santa's floating sleigh. In the streets, the magic continues with carousels, choirs and strolling entertainers to liven up the winter evenings.
The Lantern Trail, a magical must-see
It's impossible to talk about Christmas in Metz without mentioning the Lantern Trail! In the heart of Square Boufflers, you'll be dazzled by more than 2,000 lanterns forming a magical setting that blends tradition and modernity. The luminous characters and fantastic animals were a real delight for all the family!
A cultural and festive atmosphere
Immersive shows and mapping projections usually light up the Temple Neuf at Christmas time. Don't forget to check the programme at the end of each year! A few Christmas concerts, given here and there, rounded off our visit to the Metz Christmas markets perfectly.
Where to stay in Metz? Our selection of the best hotels
To fully experience the magic of Christmas in Metz, it's best to choose accommodation in a good location! The historic city centre, close to markets and entertainment, is ideally located. The good news is that there are some fairly quiet rooms here! For a more peaceful stay, head for the elegant, leafy Impérial district, just a few minutes from the festive heart of the city.
- Excellent value for money
TheHôtel Mercure Metz Centre keeps its rates affordable even over the Christmas period. Renowned for its comfort, it accepts pets and has large family rooms. Click here to book your room with an excellent breakfast!
- A cheap hotel in a good location in Metz
TheKyriad Hotel in Metz offers great value for money. Although it is located in the city centre (great for Christmas markets!), it has very quiet garden rooms. Book your room now for the festive season.
- The best price
Do you like low prices? We've found more at theIbis Metz Centre Cathédrale! Simple but effective, it has comfortable rooms for spending a few nights in Metz. Quiet and well-located, this hotel , which you can book here, is renowned for its quality welcome.
The article to read: What to do and see in the Grand Est region? The 17 must-sees
Preparing for your visit to the Metz Christmas market: where to park?
You can get to the Metz Christmas Market by car, as long as you plan ahead! There are several convenient car parks in the city centre, just a few minutes' walk from the chalets and main squares. The closest and most popular are the République and Coislin car parks, ideally placed for quick access to the markets.
At weekends in December, however, the market is very busy. So it's best to avoid the last-minute search! For our part, we had discovered parking reservation applications, which allow us to guarantee a space in advance and arrive with peace of mind. In the end, we didn't even need them, as we'd found a fairly central hotel with a car park: surely the best option for avoiding the hassle and saving a bit of money!
Petit Futé Tip: how about getting around and parking for free? The MET public transport network and the P+R park-and-ride sites are free during the weekends before Christmas !
Preparing for your visit to the Metz Christmas Market: how do I get there?
There are several options for getting to the Metz Christmas Market, depending on your city of departure. From Paris, the quickest way is by TGV: allow around 1 hour 25 minutes from Gare de l'Est, with regular services every day. If you prefer to travel by road, the A4 links the capital to Metz in just over 3 hours 30 minutes.
From Lyon, it takes around 4 hours 30 minutes by car via the A31, or 4 hours by train with a connection at Dijon or Strasbourg. From Marseille or Toulouse, it's best to opt for the train (6 h 30 to 7 h 30 depending on the route) or a long-distance coach, often cheaper, linking Metz directly to these major cities.
Good to know: once you're here, the various Met' buses make it easy to get around between the stations, the park-and-ride facilities and the various Christmas markets.
During our visit to Metz, we discovered one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France. It's full of lights, surprises and traditions! We're convinced it's one of the best places to spend the festive season. Do you love the lights and festivities too? Discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Maybe they'll inspire you to go and see how Christmas is celebrated elsewhere... As far as we're concerned, we could well be tempted to spend Christmas in Vienna next year!
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