m METZ MÉTROPOLE etz HARMONY PARK I 11 bd Solidarité BP 55025 I 57071 METZ CEDEX 3 m T. 03 87 20 10 00 étropole F. 03 87 20 10 29 metzmetropole.fr Welcome to our ecosystem AMANVILLERS ARS-LAQUENEXY ARS-SUR-MOSELLE AUGNY CHÂTEL-SAINT-GERMAIN CHESNY CHIEULLES COIN-LÈS-CUVRY COIN-SUR-SEILLE CUVRY FÉY GRAVELOTTE JURY JUSSY LA MAXE LAQUENEXY LE BAN-SAINT-MARTIN LESSY LONGEVILLE-LÈS-METZ communes LORRY-LÈS-METZ MARIEULLES-VEZON m MARLY MÉCLEUVES etz 230 000 METZ inhabitants MEY MONTIGNY-LÈS-METZ m MOULINS-LÈS-METZ étropole NOISSEVILLE NOUILLY Welcome to our ecosystem PELTRE PLAPPEVILLE POUILLY POURNOY-LA-CHÉTIVE ROZÉRIEULLES SAINT-JULIEN-LÈS-METZ SAINT-PRIVAT-LA-MONTAGNE SAINTE-RUFFINE SAULNY SCY-CHAZELLES VANTOUX VANY VAUX VERNÉVILLE WOIPPY The greatest 6 asset of metz _ métropole is its This is a city with a huge variety of influences, convergences which can be felt wherever you go. contents The languages, sounds, philosophies, traditions 7 and dreams of old Europe are still to be found edito here on the banks of the River Moselle. It is no coincidence that this is where Robert Schuman drew his inspiration for Franco-German 8 Two thousand 10 Laboratory reconciliation and European unification. Come _ years of _ of human Do you expect Metz and experience the simplicity and authenticity character ecology Métropole to be grey, of the inhabitants’ connection to their land wintry and industrial? and to their guests. They are generous and Then you are in for a approachable. But they are also honest big surprise. Beneath 9 13 and pragmatic. And they love to keep their Jean-Luc BOHL its apparent reserve, promises! President of Metz Métropole this city harbours Photo/illustration credits: Randy Mayor of Montigny-lès-Metz some remarkable Agostini/Kevin Alexandre Kazek ; First Vice-President With the Centre Pompidou-Metz, French Tech Arsenal de Metz; Yann Arthus- of the Région Grand Est treasures which are Bertrand; Luc Bertau; Bibliothèques- waiting only for you East accreditation and the flagship BLIIIDA Médiathèques de Metz; to take the first step. building, the Amphithéâtre District and – Alain Biendicho; Williams Bonbon; Nicolas Bram; Florian Burger; Pauline You may well find that most recently – the Constellations Festival, 14 Surprise Cavion; Centre Pompidou-Metz © you become attached it’s clear that our region has chosen the path _ Shigeru Ban Architects Europe and to this child of the and enrich Jean de Gastines Architectes, with of regeneration. And the bold conversion of borderlands, at the Philip Gumuchdjian for design of the Frescaty Plateau is proof that we are competition-winning project /Metz crossroads between Métropole/Centre Pompidou-Metz; North and South. finally drawing a line under our legendary Hervé Colson; Agences CNB & GHA; military traditions. 17 DEIS/Philippe Starck; Dynamo Associés; Eiffage Construction Lorraine/Wilmotte & Associés; Metz Métropole is a land that is full of life, Explorations Architecture; Fabrique d’Images; Fly-Pixel; Frac Lorraine; a natural place of convergence or transit, Philippe Gisselbrecht; David Hourt; of continuous movement. A land of experience, Arnaud Hussenot/Fabien Darley; Valued Inspire Metz; Bertrand Jamot; curious, always on the lookout for an original 18 The challenge 22 Christian Legay; Jean Munin; SNCF; and innovative path. Its own path. heritage Supélec; Jean-Paul Viguier et _ _ of intelligence Associés, Architecture et Urbanisme; of work Ville de Metz. Production : Direction de la Communication de Metz Métropole. Graphics: Christophe Ferry. 21 25 Text: Pierre Feisthauer ; Elise Cordonnier. _4 _5 1. River Moselle and Mont Saint- Quentin at Longeville-lès-Metz The greatest asset 2. Aerial view of the old town of Metz 3. Rue Serpenoise is the main commercial thoroughfare in Metz of metz métropole is 4. VAOC Moselle vineyard 5. Mirabelle plums. The iconic fruit of the Metz region 6. Place Saint-Jacques in the heart of Metz’s historic 2. pedestrianised centre its convergences 3. 7. Students at Georgia Tech 4. 5. 1. 6. Metz Métropole has a unique geographical location, Shaped by a history of exchanges only a stone’s throw from the borders of Germany, and horizons, Metz Métropole is also a land of work, the descendant of Luxembourg and Belgium. merchant traders and adventurous industrialists. Metz loves initiative and innovation. A land of memory which cultivates humility and effort as the values of Nestled between the Rhine, the Seine, tage and a string of ancient villages the future. the Rhône and the North Sea, this clinging to the banks of the Moselle. region has long been fuelled by the A southern ambiance arising from the 7. major trading routes and ideas of old golden limestone of Jaumont. A keen Europe. Lying on the edge of two commercial vibrancy. different worlds, it draws its identity A distinct local law which governs and energy from these borders, which everyday life, the legacy of Metz’s have both divided and united the great cultural leapfrogging through lands over the centuries. the centuries. The pleasures of the As a result, Metz Métropole has deve- table, with mirabelle plums and AOC loped its own unique way of life, wines. And an artistic enthusiasm Metz Métropole draws to which its inhabitants are deeply perfectly embodied by the great attached. A remarkable urban heri- white sail of Centre Pompidou-Metz. 2. its identity and energy from its borders _6 Two thousand years of character 4. 5. 6. Metz Métropole, a fusion of 1. Gallo-Roman aqueduct major European at Ars-sur-Moselle cultures 2. Metz Cathedral and the golden limestone of Jaumont 3. Marquis de Lafayette. From Metz to America 4. Universal Exhibition of Metz (1861) 5. The Governor’s Palace is testament to the German period (1871-1918) 6. The home of Robert Schuman in Scy-Chazelles 7. At the Centre Pompidou-Metz 1. PAX ROMANA DESTINY WITH FRANCE Julius Caesar invaded Gaul in 42 B.C. During the Renaissance, Henry II, King The native Celtic peoples, the Medio- of France, brought the region under matrici, were drawn into the embrace the French influence. From this time of the Pax Romana. The capital of forth, “Metz defends France”, as Divodurum (Metz) was one of the Vauban would state soon after. 7. most thriving cities north of the Alps. PRO AMERICA! BIRTHPLACE OF THE CAROLINGIANS NEW GERMAN CHAPTER HIGH VELOCITY The young Marquis de La Fayette Once the wealthy capital of the Mero- fell in love with the cause of the Following the war against Prussia, In 2007, the TGV arrived in Metz, pla- vingian kingdom of Austrasia, Metz American insurgents at a dinner on France conceded Alsace and Moselle cing the city within 1 hour 20 minutes (then known as Mettis) became the 8 August 1775. Thus began his long to the young German Empire. This of Paris. birthplace of the family of Charle- journey which would end only with annexation would last almost 50 years. magne. The emperor went on to American Independence. Emperor Wilhelm II chose to turn THE WORLD ARRIVES IN METZ bestow the city with many gifts. Metz into a showcase for the Empire. The Centre Pompidou-Metz is dedi- UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION cated to modern and contemporary LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC… OF METZ! RECONCILIATION After London, New York and Paris, the art. This was the first decentralised The Messin Republic enjoyed auto- 4th Universal Exhibition was held in Barely five years after the Second branch of a major French national nomy within the German Empire Metz. The city highlighted its econo- World War, Robert Schuman imple- museum. throughout the Middle Ages. The mic and industrial expertise. mented his plan for reconciliation strong ties which unite the city and between France and Germany. The its surrounding area were formed father of Europe mulled over his during this golden age. 2. 3. project in his home in Scy-Chazelles. _8 _9 Laboratory of 1. Vaux is a pearl hidden amidst the vineyards of Moselle 2. Composting is shared in Montigny- Human lès-Metz 3. Baroque Abbey of Saint Clément in Metz 4. Avenue Foch. Architectural encyclopaedia of the Belle Époque 5. The Botanical Garden of Metz 6. Soft modes at the heart of the ecology metropolitan travel project Spacious and dynamic, bright and harmonious, Metz Métropole is evolving within an exceptional environment, where a true urban philosophy is thriving. The city is strengthened by its age-old ties 2. with rural culture. And because it is deeply attached to this quality of life, Metz is rising to the challenge of responsible and sustainable development. 5. INVENTORY OF THE CENTURIES As you travel around the city of Metz, you will 3. discover reflections of the cultures and civilisations which have shaped the land over the centuries, from the Gallo-Romans to the Centre Pompidou- Metz. More than twenty centuries of encounters are embodied in the stones of this city. The legacy of the Italian bankers of the Middle Ages, the well-proportioned French squares of the Age of Enlightenment, the architectural encyclopaedia of the German Imperial Quarter… and a fantastic cathedral at its heart. Metz Métro- 4. pole is a fusion of urban experiences, enriched by the nearby charm of ancient wine-producing villages along the banks of the Moselle and the expansive agricultural terrain of the Lorraine Plateau. 1. 6. 10_ 11_ METTIS, is one of the most innovative and modern forms of public transport in Europe 1. METZ MÉTROPOLE BREATHES FREELY IN THE OPEN AIR The inhabitants of the city are proud of its large open spaces. Nature emerges in gardens, parks and watery expanses, penetrating into the very heart of a city which gave birth to urban ecology. But nature is also found in vast, fertile and preserved spaces, such as the large forested areas beside the Moselle or the watery ribbons of the Moselle and the Seille.