Moselle is a land of many riches, and well worth taking the time to discover, but it's hard to know where to start... Fortunately, the experts at ViaMICHELIN have put together the perfect itinerary for you to follow, either in its entirety or in sections, so you don't miss a thing of Moselle's heritage and landscapes. Fasten your seatbelt and let's go!
Day 1: Metz, a Medieval Stroll and Local Specialties
In Metz, Cathédrale Saint-Etienne is the ideal starting point for discovering the capital of Moselle. Built between 1220 and 1522, this Gothic edifice boasts a breathtaking 42m-high nave and a profusion of sculptures that tell the story of centuries of religious and artistic history. Its superb stained-glass windows illustrate the evolution of this art form, from the 11m-diameter Rose Window by Hermann de Munster (14th century) on the west façade to the abstract stained-glass windows by Kimsooja, installed in 2022.Just a stone's throw from the cathedral is the Musée de la Cour d'Or, which drills down into the layers of Metz's past. In the basement, vestiges of Roman baths dating from the 2nd century are testament to the importance of Divodurum Mediomatricorum (Ancient Metz) as a prosperous city of the Roman Empire.
The covered market nearby is a good option for lunch. Creamy cheeses, golden-crusted Lorraine pâtés, and, in season, delicately sweetened Mirabelle plums attract gourmets to this bustling hall—every bite is a taste of the Lorraine region's terroir.
Start the afternoon with a look at the art in the Centre Pompidou-Metz, an extraordinary timber-and-glass structure with a laminated curved roof. In its galleries, the big names in modern and contemporary art are showcased in temporary exhibitions, mostly drawn from the 100,000 pieces in the Musée National d'Art Moderne (Museum of Modern Art).
To round off the day, head for Place Saint-Louis and its medieval arcades. In rue Taison, Fournirue, or Chaplerue, take your time as you wander around the designer boutiques, leaf through a few volumes in an independent bookshop, or sip a cup of tea in a cozy café.
Day 2: Amnéville, Adventure and Well-being in the Heart of Moselle
A change of scene awaits at the Cité des Loisirs d'Amnéville. This huge complex 15km from Metz offers something for everyone. Amnéville's zoo, ranked among the best in Europe, houses over 2,000 animals, from majestic white tigers to timid red pandas, in enclosures designed with the well-being of each species in mind. The aquarium provides glimpses of the mysteries of our oceans: sharks, jellyfish, and rays move about in vast tanks in which lighting effects and marine backdrops recreate the underwater world. The Thermapolis water center and Villa Pompéi offer a spa interlude inspired by Ancient times. Hot and cold pools, aromatic hammams, and open-air thermal baths: everything is aimed at helping you completely unwind.
Day 3: Rodemack and Luxembourg, From the Ramparts to the Grand Duchy
Next stop: Rodemack, officially one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France," whose perfectly preserved medieval ramparts enclose a labyrinth of cobbled streets and pierre de Jaumont houses. Take a detour to the medieval garden to see the fine collection of aromatic plants, once upon a time used in cooking and herbal medicine.
Come afternoon, it's time to cross the border to Luxembourg, whose upper town boasts UNESCO-listed bastions and palaces. Lined with elegant houses, the Chemin de la Corniche affords spectacular views over the Alzette Valley. At nightfall, the pace changes in the Luxembourg capital: the terraces come to life, the fine-dining restaurants swing into action cooking up their cosmopolitan dishes, and the Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal becomes the ideal cocoon for a last look at the illuminated city.
Day 4: Luxembourg, a Multifaceted European Capital
Morning activities kick off in Grund and Clausen, picturesque neighborhoods nestling at the foot of the cliffs. Here, stone footbridges and colorful houses form the perfect backdrop for a stroll along the banks of the Alzette, a riverside walk that leads to pleasant shady terraces, perfect for a coffee break.
The afternoon takes a different turn as you arrive on the Kirchberg Plateau, where European institutions—housed in striking structures designed by some of the world's leading architects—rub shoulders with the fascinating Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc-Jean. With architecture in which minimalism meets geometrical lines, this museum building designed by I.M. Pei certainly shakes things up. It accommodates a number of gems of contemporary art, including several major works by Moselle-based visual artist Michel Paysant.
Day 5: From Castles to Fortifications, Guardians of the Trois Frontières
Back to Moselle, to Malbrouck Castle, owned by the Moselle département. A bastion of the Duchy of Lorraine, this 15th-century fortress possesses massive towers overlooking the Moselle Valley and the Trois Frontières region. Regular exhibitions and events breathe new life into the castle walls.
Some 20km away, the itinerary continues underground with a visit to Fort du Hackenberg, the most imposing structure on the Maginot Line. Two monumental entrance blocks, 17 combat blocks, a power station capable of supplying a town of 10,000 inhabitants, and miles of underground galleries: everything is on an exceptionally large scale! An electric train takes you to Block Nine, an artillery block with a mortar turret that looks ready to launch projectiles.
Day 6: From Saint-Avold to Sarreguemines, the Hidden Treasures of Mining Country
Its 10,489 white crosses aligned on a perfectly manicured green lawn forming a solemn landscape, the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint-Avold is the largest American cemetery in Europe. Before reaching the cemetery, a stop in Boulay is recommended to savor the light, fluffy Macarons de Boulay so beloved of the likes of General de Gaulle and King George VI.
The next stop is the Parc Explor Wendel in Petite-Rosselle, a former coal pit that is now a museum dedicated to the coalfield. The sound of machinery can still be heard in the excavation galleries, and the oppressive atmosphere of the working faces of the coal seams is recreated to give an insight into the daily lives and working conditions of the miners.
In the afternoon, Sarreguemines, Lorraine's ceramics capital, brings a change of tone. The Musée de la Faïence de Sarreguemines (Ceramics Museum) exhibits some remarkably delicate pieces, but it's the winter garden that is the highlight: beneath a majestic glass roof, ceramics take center stage in the form of frescoes, ornaments, and colorful fountains.
Day 7: Pays de Bitche, a Region Shaped by Glass and Stone
This morning, a choice is to be made between unlocking the secrets of the Cristallerie Saint-Louis, the oldest crystal manufacture in France, where craftsmen and glassblowers have been producing their work since 1767, or opting for a more contemporary approach at the Centre International d'Art Verrier in Meisenthal, the International Center for Glass Art, and birthplace of the famous Christmas baubles.In the afternoon, visit the Vauban citadel in Bitche. This military masterpiece, renowned for its impregnability, has been guarding the region since 1681. A short distance away, a quick climb leads to Château du Falkenstein. Peeking over the trees in the forest, the ruins of this castle command an unobstructed panoramic view of the Vosges mountains and Hanau lake (Étang de Hanau). For an overnight stay, look no further than L'Arnsbourg, a wonderful restaurant and hotel in Baerenthal.
Day 8: Sarrebourg and Saint-Quirin, Art and the Baroque in the Spotlight
In Sarrebourg, the Parcours Chagall, a walking route following in the footsteps of the artist Marc Chagall, highlights the emblematic Chapelle des Cordeliers, home to a Chagall masterpiece: La Paix, a monumental stained-glass window measuring 12m high and 7.5m wide. In the Musée du Pays de Sarrebourg a few streets away, Yvette Cauquil-Prince's tapestry, La Paix, echoes the stained-glass window in the chapel, with its bright colors and floating figures.The afternoon takes us to Saint-Quirin, which is counted among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." The Baroque church, the colorful houses, and the Haute Chapelle, perched on a hill, create a timeless scene.
Day 9: Pays des Étangs and the Saulnois, a Slice of Nature in Moselle
This area, dotted with forests, meadows, and lakes, is home to the Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park, one of the largest in France, where 1,500 animals live in semi-liberty. Get up close and personal with the animals, thanks to numerous observation points and an educational trail.
Just a few kilometers away, the Domaine Départemental de Lindre is a nature reserve that boasts the largest fishery lake in France. With a surface area of 620ha, Étang de Lindre has an abundant population of fish (roach, perch, pike-perch, carp) and is part of the habitat for some 251 species of bird. Grey herons, bitterns, and ospreys can be seen in action from the dyke or from observatories hidden on the edge of the forest.
Day 10: Final Adventures on the Road to Metz
Salt production in Marsal dates back to protohistory. Controlled in turn by the Dukes of Lorraine and the bishops, this precious commodity was highly coveted until Louis XIV seized Marsal in 1663 and transformed it into a stronghold. Some of the fortifications remain, notably the Porte de France, which accommodates the salt museum, Musée Départemental du Sel. After your visit, take a stroll through the surrounding countryside and you'll come across salt ponds, remnants of Marsal's industrial past, where the rare salicornia vicensis, characteristic of salty habitats, still grows.
Further on, inside the Église St Martin de Sillegny, arresting 16th-century frescoes cover the walls, earning the church the nickname the "Sistine Chapel of the Seille." Before returning to Metz, stop off at the house of Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union, then at the Distillerie de Mélanie to raise a final glass of the local fruit brandy.
An Extra Day?
To continue the adventure, follow the Moselle wine route through the Metz region—by bike, car, or even on foot. To the south of Metz, its hillside vineyards and welcoming wine cellars provide an opportunity to discover the terroir of the Moselle AOC.
Hero Image: One of Moselle region's treasures: the Saint-Louis village. © Thomas Garcia
