So I know it's been mentally long since I last posted. I should have done lots of little posts on places to visit in Paris, but those abound the Internet. So instead, I'm going to concentrate on places I've seen since I've moved to Paris. Since it should be in chronological order, let's start with Metz.
The basics
Metz is a town in the Lorraine province of France. It's had a bit of sketchy history, swinging back and forth between Germany and France, since we have all studied about the Alsace Lorraine region of the World Wars fame. Now, since the eastern parts of France are not particularly known for their good weather, Metz is not an obvious place to visit and I only went there because of work. But if you are in the region, maybe in Strasbourg which is famous for its marché du Noel, you should stop by to see some of the main sites. It doesn't take very long and the whole city can be covered in about 2 hours by foot. There's something still very medieval about the town so it's like a throw back to the Middle Ages for a couple of hours.
Getting there
TGV trains depart from Paris to Luxembourg and Metz is usually one of the stops on the way. There are hourly trains so timing is not an issue and since using the TGV is totally idiot proof, it's the best way of getting there. You could also drive if you take the A13 from Paris en route to Strasbourg.
Accommodation & Food
Once you get out of the train station, there are any number of small hotels that would be good options to stay. If you're looking for slightly luxurious digs, you could check out La Citadelle, which prices at about €150 a night. A more budget friendly option are the many Ibis hotels scattered across the town, which are about €70 a night, on an average. The Ibis is not luxurious in the least but they're clean and utilitarian, which is all you really need for a night. Most of these places have 24 hour checkouts, which is convenient if you want to pack up and leave once you're done.
The town has plenty of typical cafés in addition to Lebanese take away joints. However, like with all small towns, things get quiet by about 6 pm so head out a bit early if you still want to eat with the people. As in most parts of Europe, a lot of the restaurants have set menus, which is an entrée + plat or plat + dessert for a set price, and usually works out cheaper. There are tons of little French places so unless you're really craving Indian food or something, French food is the best option.
Main sights
A lot of the historic buildings in Metz are made from yellow limestone, which with aging lend a sort of green tint to the town.
Walk the expanse of the town from the gates of Porte Serpentoise to Porte des Allemands. These were the ancient portals to the city and have been maintained in their original state.
The one thing you should definitely see is the Metz Cathedral. It is known to have the largest expanses of stained glass in the world and some of the depictions are just exquisite, especially the creations of Chagall. It's free entry and worth a stop.
As you walk through the heart of the town, you'll see a lot of quaint sights and mingling of the old with the new. Stop and stare for a bit and a get a coffee at one of the bistros. Life is slow in this town but great if you need a breather.
