France - Metz & Strasbourg

Anyone have any good 'non-guidebooky' tips for a short break to Metz (1 night 1 day) and Strasbourg (1 night 2 days)? Haven't found much yet on FT.

Anyone have any good 'non-guidebooky' tips for a short break to Metz (1 night 1 day) and Strasbourg (1 night 2 days)? Haven't found much yet on FT.

What are you looking for exactly?

We were at a hotel in Strasbourg several years ago. Above our bed there was a picture of this very peaceful, picturesque little town. Asked at the front desk where it was? The answer was Wissembourg, just north of Strasbourg. So we stopped there for an afternoon on our way to Luxembourg (lunch and wine).

I am sure it is in the guidebooks - but it had not hit my radar for the trip. Might be an interesting detour between Metz and Strasbourg.

What are you looking for exactly?

Art, Architecture, Food are interests. Only have a short time in both places and wanted to make the most of it. Any quirky little museums, interesting little restaurant, something a local might take a visiting guest to that may be off of the usual tourist trails?

Any suggestions welcome.

and don't forget to look into communitybuzz! we wait for you with lunch on may 7th (you edited your post, but it was too late :p )

I am travelling right now, but will give you more information very soon. looking forward to see you soon in SXB. Just le me know, what you want to know exactly ...

We just returned from a weekend in Strasbourg. I had booked a little hotel 30 meters from the train station called Le Grillon. This was on Rue Marie Kuss. There are several hotels in this area and surrounding the station. Prices range from cheap - 55euros per night for 2 people to up over 100euros per person per night. We opted for the 55euro number. Shared bath on the 4th floor but nice.

It's a local neighborhood with several little places to eat or get a wine and watch people. Nice thing about this location was its close proximity to the "old" Strasbourg. Very close to Le Petite France, walking distance really and so many many lovely cafes along the L'Lill River which looks more like a canal which surrounds the old city. If you love to walk this section is worth your time. There are old buildings built in the German "half timber" style everywhere.
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There is also the Grande Rue which is Main Street and lots of shops and cafes there too. Follow this street into the central district of the cathedral and Platz Guttenberg (or should I say Palace - a la Frances?)


We had lunch (seemed to be the main meal of the day as the restaurants got crowed from the noon hour on) at a place called Le Gruber on Rue de Maroquin which also borders on the cathedral area.

I'd have love to have dined at Restaurant Au Pont St. Martin. It was a beautiful building right on a very picturesque part of Le Petite France canal.
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If you have only one day there I'd stay in this old town area ... perhaps take a canal boat tour (one hour) and then do walking tours. Ask for a map at your hotel.

We loved our little stay, it was like a mini Paris trip.

Art, Architecture, Food are interests. Only have a short time in both places and wanted to make the most of it. Any quirky little museums, interesting little restaurant, something a local might take a visiting guest to that may be off of the usual tourist trails?

Any suggestions welcome.

Metz is pretty small, so you can do it easily by walking around.

Centre Pompidou By Shigeru Ban and 13th century Saint Etienne cathedral are of course must sees in Metz.

Frac Lorraine (regional contemporary art collection) generally presents small but high quality exhibitions (10 minutes walk from Cathedral)

Close by: Les Trinitaires, excellent jazz club and exhibition centre.

Saint Maximin church with stained glass designed by Jean Cocteau
L'Arsenal concert hall presents sculptures in a lovely garden.

Walking from Place de la Comédie (main theatre) to place de la République along the river is very pleasant.

A bit of a bump - Mrs_dergon and I will be in Paris for 6 days in early december. I would like to a day trip one day just to change things up and see something new. A bit of googling came up with Metz as a potential day trip with an evening return due to new TGV service and the fact that there are nice X-mas markets and city lights in December.

In the past we've been out to Versailles and have also spent a few day in the Loire valley.

Thought I would run this idea by my FT friends. ((Other suggestions also welcomed))

In December the MUST see town in Alsace is Colmar. You can connect from Metz or Strasbourg by train or there are even a few direct TGV's from Paris to Colmar. The town is always beautiful and historic, but the Christmas market is the best in France.

http://www.christmas-markets.org/france/colmar/location.php