On our way drive to Paris we decided to make a stop in Metz, France. It’s only 1.5 hours from Spangdahlem and has the gorgeous Saint Etienne Cathedral as well as many other things to see and explore. Note if you plan on seeing the museum, Centre Pompidou-Metz, it is closed on Tuesdays. This is one of the Day Trips listed in the Panther Paws book so I wanted to stop and cross it off the list on the way to Paris.
There are several parking areas in the town, just follow the blue P signs, we chose to use the one near the Saint Etienne Cathedral. I recommend printing out a city map here click on the PDF brochure and it’s the last page. You can get this whole brochure for free from the Tourism Office but its nice to have it driving to have an idea where you want to park. At the parking garage by the cathedral we were able to park the Yeti (van) down on the 3rd floor where there were several side by side open spaces. It would’ve been a tight squeeze if we had to fit between cars, but Mr. B is a pro 😉 It was €4,50 for 3 hours.
The awesome Tourism office (marked by an i on your map) is next to the cathedral. If your looking at the cathedral entrance it is to your right. They are super friendly and spoke great English. You can get a free large map as well as the Metz brochure…but it’s more like a booklet. They were happy to answer all questions and provide us with some tips for sightseeing that day.
The Saint Etienne Cathedral is worth a visit! It’s free and has been hands down the best church we’ve seen so far. See my blog post about it for more info, click on name for link.
After checking out the church we looked for somewhere to eat, we planned on using the Panther Paws suggestion but it was closed. We walked down the street and found a pizza/pasta place called Pizzolia, the owner was friendly and spoke English. The large pizzas were €7 each, Mr. B & Boo each had one. Bea & I split some pasta & Bub had pasta as well. We had a yummy lunch for €34 which included a soda for everyone. There is also a bathroom here to use.
After lunch we headed over to Temple Neuf to check it out. We were able to walk around the building.
I loved the purple doors!
Purple gates too, I mean that’s pretty darn neat!
Then we headed down towards the square and seen several tasty chocolate shops, so of course we had to try some! It was expensive but yummy. We later found that the best place to get tasty chocolate is at the supermarkets. The one at Val d’Europe even and large Eiffel Tower chocolate designs and they were WAY cheaper.
The duck is so cute, and tasty too!
We looked around the square, Place St. Louis, but it was a weekday and there wasn’t much going on.
Then we walked over to Porte des Allemands and seen the remaining walls of the city.
On our walk back to the parking garage we stopped by the mall, Center St. Jacques, to use the bathrooms it was €0,30 each to use the bathroom. I find it so crazy that you have to pay to use the bathroom at the mall, but hey I guess that’s Europe for you!
We also seen this dragon along the streets…not sure why he’s there but it’s not something you see in every town that’s for sure.
When you get back to the parking garage the ticket booth is right inside the door to pay for your parking because remember in Europe you pay BEFORE you try to drive out.
The hardest part about visiting Metz was the lack of information available ahead of time. I used several sights but it was hard to get all the info I wanted. I heard the train station is nice but we did not make it over that way. You can also tour the city on a small ‘train’ it has wheels, but I’m not sure the cost.
I’ve also decided at the end of these sightseeing posts I’m going to start including a quick run down of info, starting with this post 🙂
Know Before You Go –
Where: Metz, France
Where: 1.5 hours from Spangdahlem, 1 hour 10 mins from Ramstein.
What: Several things to see & do in the area such as the Cathedral, Museum, Temple Neuf, to name a few
Where to find info: Online, above links
Panther Paws – a little info, the food place listed wasnt open when we were there
AWAG Your Travel Guide to Europe – less info that Panther Paws but includes info about flea market
DK Eyewitness Travel France – some info & photos
Tourism Office in Metz
I went to Metz a few weeks ago and loved it! We went to the Flea Market. Also, most bathrooms in Europe you have to pay a small fee but it’s because they clean them and are never as dirty as American public bathrooms.
I dunno, I’ve seen some pretty dirty ones we’ve paid for…
I love to see military families taking advantage of the opportunity to travel while stationed somewhere. We’re in Okinawa now and try to get to as many places as possible! I’m glad I found your blog (via MilSO Bloggers). Cheers!
Kassie
http://www.markandkassie.com
I agree! We see too many families who don’t enjoy their overseas tours because they sit around their house and don’t do anything. We try to hit the ground running and hit it hard until they make us leave 😉 Hubby has been to Okinawa and loved it, I loved Misawa and still miss it very much! Glad you found the blog as well 🙂
Wow what a beautiful place! And that’s like driving to PHX. thanks for sharing that! I love those purple doors and gates! So odd but beautiful at the same time.
Mrs. B(2) – Have any idea why the church had purple doors and gates? There’s got to be a story. Really pretty. Going to Hunter M.’s senior day this Friday. Graduation is the next week. What’s the status on your son? Thanks for the blog.
He’ll be graduating in June, we get out later here than back in AL. Hard to believe the boys will be graduating!