Metz Christmas Markets
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Marche de Noel © Philippe Gisselbrecht-Office de Tourisme de Metz
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Metz Christmas Markets © Philippe Gisselbrecht-Office de Tourisme de Metz
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Saint Nicholas © Philippe Gisselbrecht-Office de Tourisme de Metz
The city of Metz is in Moselle in Lorraine, north-eastern France (Alsace-Lorraine). It borders Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany. It’s definitely a year-round destination with the incredible Metz Pompidou, the more than 800 year old Gothic Cathedral with the third highest nave in France, museums, wonderful architecture and superb restaurants galore. But as Christmas approaches, Metz puts on its festive best, opens several Christmas markets including one dedicated solely to food, and lights up the Sentier des Lanternes – magical light show. There’s no better way to build your festive spirit as Christmas approaches than by visiting Europe’s Christmas markets. Buy handmade crafts and artisanal treats for wonderful and authentic gifts. Sample the culinary delights of different nations and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Merriment and cheer await as you potter round the stalls, full of handcrafted gifts. Warm yourself with a mulled wine or hot chocolate while you take in the atmosphere. All of this awaits and so much more in these beautiful locations! In between the markets there’s plenty to enjoy and lots of explore in this stunning city.
Owing to Metz’s location, close to France’s border with Germany as well as Luxembourg, you are perfectly placed to peruse a variety of Christmas markets offerings in three different countries, all in one tour. After the majesties of Metz, experience the triumphs of Trier and luxuries of Luxembourg. Alternatively, for a bit more of the French affair, visit the beautiful Nancy.
Dates
Late November - end December 2025 and 2026
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover and board the short sea ferry crossing to Calais. After disembarkation, continue travelling by coach through northern France. Arrive in Metz and settle in to your hotel. Perhaps begin exploring the city and maybe have your first glimpse of the French Christmas markets. Evening at leisure.
Day 2
Metz Christmas Markets
The second most-visited Christmas markets in France, the markets at Metz enjoy both French and German cultures and traditions due to Metz’s location close to France’s German border.
Spread across five sites in the city, traditional huts welcome you selling all kinds of festive gifts and goodies. The smell of roasted chestnuts in the air as you enjoy traditional food, mulled wine and shop to your heart’s content for quirky gifts and souvenirs. Make sure you take the time to enjoy the Christmas lights, for which Metz is famous.
Place de la Republique – is is one of the main locations of the Metz Christmas market, and it’s in this square that you’ll find the city’s central Christmas tree and nativity scene, as well as a Christmas pyramid, ice rink, toboggan run, rides, and 30+ vendors in wooden chalets.
Place d’Armes JF Blondel – Additional wooden chalets can be found here, along with the famous Metz Christmas Ferris Wheel, and light projections on the facade of the Cathedral.
Place de la Comedie – Tasty Christmas market food options await in Place de la Comédie (formerly known by the name Place de Chambre), along with additional light projections and ‘the Big Christmas Ball’.
Place Saint-Louis – For more shopping and eating opportunities, head to Place Saint-Louis, where there’s a fun little carousel alongside 50 more wooden chalets.
Gare de Metz – You can find more lighting projections and decorations (including a nice nativity scene) around the Gare de Metz train station.
The markets usually take place from mid-end November to end December.
Day 3
More of Metz Markets and/or alternative excursion
You can either spend another day in Metz, exploring the city and the markets further. Or venture out to explore the other fantastic Christmas markets in the neighbouring region’s by coach.
Trier Christmas Markets
70 miles from Metz lies the beautiful German town of Trier. Enjoy the romantic Christmas atmosphere in Trier and along the Moselle Valley. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cathedral, this market is full of medieval delights and traditional hand-crafted gifts. The 95 festively decorated wooden booths house Christmas articles such as decorations, wooden toys, candles, hand-blown or engraved glassware, ceramics and much more. Good food awaits you as well: bratwurst sausages, potato pancakes, sweets, hot tea and mulled wine.
Luxembourg Christmas Markets
The traditional Christmas market in Luxembourg city turns the Place d’Armes, the Place de la Constitution and the Place de Paris into a real Christmas village. For a month, the main square of the capital is covered with small wooden huts, selling candles, toys and decorations. The multicultural markets take the best from different countries with traditional food and gifts and a wonderful lighting display.
Nancy Christmas Markets
The medieval town of Nancy hosts a month long Christmas market on the newly renovated Place Charles III, where you will find a multitude of beautifully decorated chalets, traditional foods, handcrafted gifts and artisan treasures. Make sure to stop for a mug of the obligatory mulled wine and enjoy the experience against a backdrop of art nouveau architecture.
Day 4
Travel to the UK
Depart Metz, after breakfast, and make the journey back to Calais for the short sea ferry crossing to Dover, and home.
Suggested Hotels
Novotel Metz Hauconcourt ****
The Novotel Metz Hauconcourt is surrounded by parkland, just 15 minutes from the centre of Metz. It boasts a bar, restaurant, terrace and garden, and a seasonal outdoor pool. All rooms are air-conditioned with satellite TV, mini bar and hot drinks making facilities. The private bathrooms have hairdryers as well as complimentary toiletries. WiFi throughout.
Ibis Metz Nord ***
The ibis Metz Woippy hotel is located 3.1 miles (5 km) from the centre of Metz. The modern rooms feature wooden floors, desks and LCD flat-screen TVs. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar which offers a 24-hour snack service.
| Departure date | 4 days / 3 nights |
| November – December 2025 | Price on request |
| November – December 2026 | Price on request |
Single supplement price on request
