How to get to Metz-Ville Train Station

Travel from Metz city centre to Metz Ville train station

The city of Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region in France. Located in northeast France where the Moselle River meets the Seille River, Metz has a diverse culture as it is situated close to Luxembourg and Germany. Its 3,000-year-old history is featured throughout the city: Metz is home to the oldest church in France, the oldest working opera house in France and the largest display of stained-glass windows in the world. Metz was a Celtic settlement during the Iron Age and came under Roman rule in the 7th century. It was the birthplace of Charlemagne and the Carolingian Dynasty and one of the oldest republics in Europe.

With so much epic history, Metz is an unforgettable place to visit. Affordable tickets to Metz are available through Omio.. Metz Ville train station, or Gare de Metz Ville, is as fascinating as the city itself. Gare de Metz Ville is located in the Imperial Quarter of the city, on Place du Général de Gaulle, south of the Metz Cathedral in the heart of the city. The station services high-speed and regional trains that travel throughout France and connect to trains throughout Europe. Gare de Metz Ville is a veritable museum in itself and a wonder to look at, as it was built to resemble both a church and an imperial palace. The station is a historic monument that houses the apartment of German Kaiser Wilhelm II and features a stained-glass window depicting Charlemagne.

How far is it from Metz city centre to Metz Ville train station?

Gare de Metz Ville is 1 mile (1.6 km) from the Metz Old Town, which people many consider to be the city centre. The Metz Cathedral or Cathédrale Saint Étienne de Metz, is located in the heart of the Old Town. The Old Town is a small part of the city that is very close to the train station and full of beautiful historical sites.

What is the best way to get to Metz Ville train station from Metz city centre?

Travelling from the Metz city centre to Metz Ville train station is convenient due to their proximity to one another. Whether you walk, bike or drive, it will take less than 20min. Walking the 1 mile (1.6 km) to the city centre takes about 18min. The city of Metz has bikes paths and bike parking places throughout the city, so travelling from the city centre to Metz Ville train station by bike is also a practical option. There is plenty of parking around the city centre and train station, so driving is also possible and will take about 16min. Metz has streamlined its bus system, so travelling from Metz city centre to Gare de Metz Ville is an efficient option as well.

Where is the airport in Metz and how to get there?

There are three airports close to Metz. The Metz/Nancy Airport (ETZ) is the closest, about 20 miles (32 km) from Gare de Metz Ville. Driving there takes around 30min to 40min, depending on the route you take and traffic conditions. To get a bus to Metz/Nancy, exit Gare de Metz Ville through the tunnel under the tracks that lead to the Amphitheatre. Walk about 5min to the Gare Routiere station and catch a Line 064 bus to the airport. The journey will take between 50min and an hour. The Strasbourg Airport (SXB) in Alsace, France, is 110 miles (178 km) away from Metz. Driving there takes about 1h 48min.

A direct train between Metz and the airport takes about 1h 25min. Train times vary, but about ten trains depart Strasbourg Airport bound for Gare de Metz Ville every day. You can also take public transport from Metz de Gare Ville to Luxembourg Airport (LUX). Board the train from Metz Ville station to Howald Station, where you will disembark and walk to the Howald Ronneboesch bus stop. You will complete your journey to the airport aboard bus 120 or 29 and the travel time will be about 1h 16min. Keep in mind that you will be crossing a national border if you’re travelling to Luxembourg Airport. You can also drive between Metz and Luxembourg Airport, and the most direct route will take about an hour.

How accessible is Metz Ville train station for those with limited mobility?

Alongside its old-world charm and historic decor, the Metz Ville train station has a modern interior and is accessible to those with limited mobility. At least 48h before your train trip, call Acces Plus to reserve assistance for your journey. Once you arrive at the station, you will find two parking lots with wheelchair access outside the station. One parking lot is just 2min away, across the Place du Général de Gaulle, and the other is behind the station. Make sure you arrive at least 30min before your train is scheduled to depart so that you can board comfortably. Metz Ville station has wheelchairs available if you need one as well as ramps for boarding the train. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms can also be found in the station.

Metz Train Station. Source: Shutterstock

Night trains to/from Metz Ville

The Metz Ville train station operates between the hours of 4:45 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The ticket office opens a few hours later and closes by 8:00 p.m., but there are also automatic ticket machines available. It seems unlikely that you will be departing from or arriving at Gare de Metz Ville aboard a night train, as the SNCF night trains, the Intercités de Nuit, do not have routes through Metz.

Travelling by train in Metz : Sustainable journey

Metz is a green, eco-responsible and forward-thinking city, and its central train station Metz Ville is no different. Sustainable development and environmental responsibility are important parts of every SNCF decision regarding its business, including its trains and stations. The SNCF owns Gare de Metz Ville, and ensures that conserving resources and biodiversity is a primary goal of the station. Reducing greenhouse gases and recycling are components of this goal and passengers are encouraged to use the separate waste bins at the station.

Local tips: Metz train station points of interest

The Gare de Metz Ville is located in the Place du Général de Gaulle in the Imperial Quarter of the city. The opulent station has been designated a Historic Monument, which means certain aspects of the station are protected, including the roof, the façade, the honorary lounge, the departure hall and the interior design and decor of what was once the station restaurant. That restaurant is now a palatial bookstore inside the station. The interior of Metz Ville station is spacious, bright and modern. Amenities include automatic ticket machines, photo booths, shops where you can purchase magazines and newspapers, car rental counters, a minimarket, restaurants and take-away restaurants. Throughout the station, there is plenty of seating, including tables and chairs.

There is also secure underground parking for cars and parking for bikes. Travellers also enjoy seeing the station itself, with its stained-glass window, cornerstone statue of Knight Roland, clock tower designed by Kaiser Wilhelm II and intricate facades at the top of the pillars.For more local tips, you can check Omio magazine.Once you leave the Metz Ville train station, there are a wide variety of places to eat in the Imperial Quarter, including:

• Au Couteau Lorrain
• Brasserie des Atrs et Metiers
• Fox Coffee Shop
• Kristal Palace
• Line Sushi

What to do in Metz

Metz brims with charm that spans millennia of history, but it is also a city that embraces change. Visit the 4th century basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains, the oldest church in France, then head over to the futuristic-looking museum of modern art, the Centre-Pompidou Metz. You will find many churches and museums in Metz, with both French and Germanic architecture, dating back to different periods throughout time. Take a stroll along the Moselle or through the historic gardens. Because the city is small, you can see many of its rich and fascinating sights in a day.