Montigny-lès-Metz walks

Along the banks of the Moselle, starting from Montigny-lès-Metz.

The aim is to visit the six sites of the Metz Christmas market (ranked 9th in the 2017 competition for the best Christmas markets in Europe) but also to visit a few neighbourhoods of this beautiful city with such a rich history, from Roman times to the present day, including the ‘German’ periods between 1870 and 1918 and between 1940 and 1944.

Starting from the beautiful central station, you will pass through Gallo-Roman Metz, Medieval Metz, Royal Metz, Imperial Metz and 21st-century Metz. You will discover Saint-Étienne Cathedral and its 6,000 m² of stained glass windows. The Musée de la Cour d'Or with its Gallo-Roman baths in situ. You will discover Metz as you have never seen it before and as I love it.

This route allows you to explore the full night-time programme of Constellations 2026. Seven exhibition venues are hosting digital artworks that can only be viewed in the evening (depending on the period, access begins between 9.00 pm and 10.00 pm and ends at 12.15 am). Opening times may vary depending on the venue and the period; you can find them on the Constellations de Metz website.

Discover the slopes of the Moselle AOC by bike through the vineyards and cellars of our local winegrowers in the Metz region, with stops at Robert Schuman's house, the Gallo-Roman aqueduct and the memorial to the Battle of Dornot-Corny. The return journey will follow the Voie Bleue along the banks of the Moselle. Warning: this route is quite technical, especially on the way there, and uses stony paths. It can be dangerous in wet conditions, so don't forget your protective gear and take care.

A walk allowing you to explore Fort de Queuleu, Casemate A (a former Nazi internment camp during the Second World War) and Parc du Pas du Loup in Metz. The interior of the fort is accessible with a pushchair, but once outside, the paths are much less accessible. Accessibility issues at the fort in July 2023 – see reviews

Starting from Fort Queuleu, this walk will allow you to discover or rediscover the varied landscapes of southern Metz. After exploring the surroundings of Fort Queuleu, a historic landmark, you will reach the village of Peltre and its famous orchards, where you will have the opportunity to pick fruit depending on the season and your preferences. This village was named in 2020 and 2021 in the ranking of the best places to live among towns with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. You will then return towards the Technopole district, walking along the paths of Lakes Ariane and Symphonie, two biodiversity reserves.

A short walk of one hour and thirty minutes, accessible to all and suitable for all seasons. It will take you on a tour of part of the village of Plappeville, its church (dating from the 11th to the 15th century) and some of its most beautiful narrow streets.

Loop around Mont Saint-Quentin, starting from Col de Lessy, through the villages of Lorry and Vigneules, via Ferme Saint-Maurice, Notre-Dame du Gros Chêne and Châtel-Saint-Germain.

Enjoy a breath of fresh air on the heights of Mont Saint-Quentin, starting from the Col de Lessy. Cross the plateau to the Saint-Georges farm, then Vazelle, and return via Lessy

A short historical and wooded walk on Mont Saint-Quentin.

This short, easy walk starts in Saint-Julien-lès-Metz and takes you through the green spaces on the western edge of Metz. Following the Ruisseau de Vallières stream, you will pass through the Vallières and Corchade neighbourhoods before arriving at the bucolic village of Vantoux. After visiting the 12th-century church in Mey and its traditional village, you will return to Saint-Julien-lès-Metz through fields with beautiful views of the Metz metropolitan area.

A short, mostly shaded walk on the hill overlooking the pretty village of Augny.

The V50 cycle route (Luxembourg - Lyon) crosses the Messine conurbation, running alongside the Moselle from La Maxe to Augny. Like the author, who set off from Lorry-lès-Metz, it is easy to join the route and follow it to Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson, between ponds and wetlands, riding mostly on dedicated cycle paths. Then you cross "Little Lorraine Switzerland" on quiet roads to rejoin the Moselle at Liverdun, nestled in one of its beautiful meanders. Following the river along the V533 greenway, you soon come into view of Toul Cathedral, the first stop on the journey.

For this first stage, the route seems very direct but stays well away from the main roads. It follows country lanes, tracks reserved for farm machinery, forest paths and cycle paths!

The village of Chassepierre is a little paradise on the banks of the Semois, very close to the French and Luxembourg borders, just 120 km from Metz.Our route takes 3 or 4 days: one and a half days to reach Chassepierre, half a day or one and a half days there to enjoy the surroundings, and one day for the return journey, part of which is by train. It is also possible, as the author of this route did, to attend the performances at the street arts festival, which takes place in the afternoons and evenings on the Saturday and Sunday following 15 August. The first long stage (over 90 km) takes us beyond the Chiers and the Ton via a very direct route through France. The following morning, it’s just a 30 km cycle, plus an optional visit to Orval Abbey. The return journey to Metz follows the Semois upstream before heading into Luxembourg to catch the train.