My wishes and my tastes
Stop-overs and city breaks
City of lights – Street Art Prize
Metz, winner of the National Grand Prix of Lights
awarded by the National Academy for Street Art in July 2007
Since 1990, the city of Metz has instigated an extensive programme to emphasize its urban heritage through the use of lights. The Cathedral, monuments, ramparts and pedestrian zones are all given special attention. Lighting up the banks of the Moselle River is an invitation to stroll along the water’s edge and quaysides.
Since the beginning of 2007 "paint the night" uses lights during the night to encourage visitors to stroll and contemplate the gardens surrounding the Marina. It brings a personal touch and a feeling of intimacy to the night-time scenery.
Place d’Armes
At the crest of the Place d’Armes, dotted with 18th century buildings, the Saint-Etienne Cathedral, Lantern of God, sets its Renaissance and contemporary glass windows ablaze. A little further along, the old 17th century Petits Carmes church opens into the Metz Métropole La Cour d’Or Museums.
Place de la Comédie
Snuggled in the heart of an island surrounded by the waters of the Moselle River, the Place de la Comédie effortlessly combines the classical softness of the 18th century (the Metz Métropole Opéra-Théâtre) with the fairly-like radiance of the neo-romanesque style Temple Neuf (1901-1904).
Moyen Pont Bridge
An exceptional viewpoint from where to contemplate the historic city, a twinkling reflection in the waters of the Moselle River.
Esplanade
The Palace of Justice (18th century), Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains church (4th century), the Arsenal (19th century), the Porte Serpenoise (20th century) spread out around the Esplanade under the glare of the spotlights.
From the motorway
If travelling toward Thionville, you will see the whole city emerge, swathed in light.
From the Saint-Georges Bridge
The impressive crenellated frontage of the Chèvremont Granary (15th century), the Sainte-Ségolène church (13th to 19th century), the Saint-Etienne Cathedral (13th to 16th century) and the Temple Neuf (20th century) engage in a majestically orchestrated aquatic architectural scene.
The Porte des Allemands
Like a miniature fortified castle (13th to 15th century), it stands, haughtily, at the boundary of the Medieval city, bathed in a mysterious theatrical atmosphere.
Place Saint-Louis
The play of lights redefine its curves and rhythm the medieval arcades (13th to 15th century). Not far from here arise the façade of Notre Dame church (17th century) and the bell tower of Saint-Martin's church.
Imperial Quarter
The Guillaume II train station, built between 1905 and 1908 by the architect Kröger in the neo-Romanesque style, displays its impressive architecture in a festival of lights. The light arrangement by Philippe Stark is, like sunflowers in a merry-go-round, a celebration of the aura radiating from the Place Général de Gaulle.
The Place Mondon, circled by imposing buildings (old Imperial Bank, ex-home of the Corporations in its Dutch neo-Renaissance style) act as an imperial seal.
An application for classification of this site in the UNESCO World Heritage list was presented on 8th June 2007.
