The sights and sounds from the stalls lining the city square of Metz are perfumed with mulled wine and gingerbread when the Christmas Market arrives. The whole Place Saint-Louis and the Esplanade is illuminated with enchanting waterfalls of lights and wonders to behold.

About the Market

For the last 15 years the city of Metz has played host to a beautiful Christmas market. Town’s folk and visitors alike will find abundant stalls as well as carol singing, folk dancing and plenty of street entertainment.

Almost 100 wooden cottages and stalls will be erected along the Esplanade and amongst the medieval arcades of Place St Louis. Metz does a brilliant job of lighting the city up at the best of times, but for the month of December the Christmas lights are outstanding. The streets are full of life with different activities and visitors can expect roasted chestnuts amongst seasonal gifts and festive music.

More About Metz

Metz is one of France’s greenest cities with its pedstrianised areas in the town centre, parks, lawns and 27 sq. m of garden per inhabitant. It also had a pleasure port and a cycling track along the rivers Moselle and Seille, which stretches for 22 miles.

The diverse architecture from its ancient Gallo-Roman remains to the futuristic Pompidou-Metz Centre being erected at present makes Metz a splendid and extremely interesting city to explore.

For more information see our guide to Metz

Accommodation

Accommodation in central Metz gets booked fast during the Christmas market period, so search for a hotel in Metz now. Alternatively you may want to try charming rural self catering accommodation near Metz, as during the winter months many holiday property owners allow short stays.

Transport quick facts about the markets:

Free Parking: No
Pay Parking: Yes, there is underground parking
Coach Parking: Yes, free next to the Cathedrale, Place de la république
Nearest Bus Route: Gare Routière
Nearest Railway Station: Gare SNCF de Metz. 1h 22 from Paris (with 10 daily round trips), 1h10 from the station at Roissy airport, 1h 15 from Strasbourg, or 2h 05 from Lille.
Nearest Tram Stop: No
Nearest Tube Station: No
Nearest Airport: Metz-Nancy Lorraine Regional Airport, 57420 Goin http://www.metz-nancy-lorraine.aeroport.fr/ (no flights to UK)
Nearest Ferry Port: Calais - 462.8km, 4 hour 12 minutes by car to Metz or Dunkerque - 441.9km, 4 hour 6 minutes (see our route planner for driving directions).

Getting there

Suggested Travel Routes

Choosing to travel by train to France is a simple option. It’s fast and cost effective and also allows you to enjoy the beautiful French countryside. With a great rail network in place, it has never been easier to get to France by train. Book Eurostar and TGV tickets.

As a foot passenger from the UK to Metz:

By Train: you can take Eurostar direct from St Pancras International in London to Paris Nord,  change to Paris East and take the SNCF to Metz, whole journey time is 4 hours 30 minutes (depending on time of departure). Trains run regularly departing London from 6.30 am and the last return journey 17.55 pm from Metz, Monday to Sunday. Connections can also be picked up from Ashford or Ebbsfleet. Book Eurostar and TGV tickets.

By Plane: You can fly direct to Paris from either Gatwick, Heathrow or London City with Air France then take the SNCF to Metz, which will take 1 hour 22 mins. Or get a connecting flight from Paris to Strasbourg and take the SNCF to Metz, this takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Book cheap flights to France.

Taking your car from the UK to Metz:

By Train: take your car on Eurotunnel from Ashford near Folkestone, Kent direct to Calais in France. Journey time is about 35 minutes and the cost varies but is around £55 day trip return for a car and 5 passengers. Calais - 462.8km, 4 hour 12 minutes by car to Metz.

By Boat: It is usually cheaper to take a car over to France by boat, because the journey takes longer. Operators such as Seafrance and P&O offer regular ferry trips across the channel, with prices ranging from around £30 for a return day trip. Book a ferry to France

The drive from Calais to Metz is 462.8km, 4 hour 12 minutes.

The drive from Dunkerque to Metz is 441.9km, 4 hour 6 minutes.