Discover the Metz Christmas Market in Lorraine (#1) #christmas #newyear
Why you should visit the Metz Christmas Market?
For the past 25 years, the Metz Christmas market in Lorraine has become one of the largest Christmas markets in France in terms of visitors, welcoming up to 2 million people. In 2015, Metz went the extra mile, hosting a Christmas market spread over 5 sites:
.the historic Place Saint Louis – also the original site of the Metz Christmas Market.
Place Saint-Jacques – the site of a merry-go-round and a Christmas village.
the central-located Place d’Armes – where a 60m tall Ferries Wheel takes you well above the city’s roofs!
Place de la Comédie – the site of a Gourmet market.
Place de la République – there is the iconic Christmas pyramid, the Chalet of the Moselle département and an open-air ice skating rink.
The Christmas villages are joined with three other must-see sites:
Place de la Gare – a Christmas tree in front of the beautiful railway station of Metz i
Place de Chambre – about twenty heated bubbles that form the “igloos village” and most importantly:
Jardin Boufflers which hosts the enchanting Sentier des Lanternes (Lanterns Trail).
Metz Christmas Market – Place d’Armes
This square bordered by the cathedral and the City-Hall features a Christmas village around one of the tallest panoramic Ferris wheels in Europe (60 m high).
Enter the cathedral of Metz!
While you are in place d’Armes, don’t forget to enter the cathedral of Metz. You’ll be stunned by the high vaults, among the highest in the churches of France. The stained-glass windows take so much space the sanctuary was nicknamed ‘the Lantern of God’.
Metz Christmas Market – Place Saint-Jacques
Usually occupied by the terraces of cafés and restaurants in summer, the Place Saint-Jacques welcomes during Advent a village of chalets takes over the place and offers numerous local specialities and handicrafts.
The square is animated by a beautifully illuminated merry-go-round that delights children.
Metz Christmas Market – Place Saint-Louis
The traditional Christmas market in Place Saint Louis with its 90 chalets is set amidst the medieval houses bordering the square.
The stands of the Christmas market
You’ll be spoilt with a great range of local produce. I’ve found a Corsican stall and another one selling the famous artisanal sweets from the Vosges.