Historic hotels · Metz
Historic Hotels in Metz Near the Cathedral
Metz is built in the golden Jaumont stone that gives its old centre a warm colour, from the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, nicknamed the Lantern of God for its vast stained-glass windows, some by Marc Chagall, to the arcades of the Place Saint-Louis. The Moselle divides around islands where the Opéra-Théâtre, opened in the 18th century, faces the Temple Neuf, and the Porte des Allemands still guards the eastern edge of the old town. The hotels on this page include an 18th-century building by the cathedral and a 17th-century house on the Moselle, and I explain below which one to choose.
Metz is a city of yellow stone and water, shaped by its long history as a garrison town and by the German imperial district built around its station at the start of the 20th century. Its Gothic cathedral and modern Centre Pompidou face each other across the centre, and its markets and terraces along the Moselle set an easy pace.
Updated October 13, 2026
Jaumont stone, the cathedral and the Moselle
A historic stay in Metz puts the cathedral, the Moselle islands and the Place Saint-Louis within a few minutes on foot. The old centre is compact, and the walk from the cathedral to the Opéra-Théâtre takes about five minutes across the river. Some hotels listed for Metz are modern buildings near the station or outside the centre, practical but not historic, and I point out the difference so the choice is clear.
Mercure Grand Hôtel Metz Centre Cathédrale is the address I would pick for a first historic stay. It occupies an elegant 18th-century building in the historic heart of Metz, about 100 metres from the cathedral, with renovated rooms and modern bathrooms. From its door, the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne and its stained-glass windows, the covered market next to it and the Place Saint-Louis are a few minutes away. The cathedral is best visited late in the afternoon on a sunny day, when light through the windows colours the nave and the yellow stone of the walls glows.
Hôtel Du Théâtre is housed in a 17th-century building with 18th-century furnishings, in a historic district along the Moselle, with four terraces. It sits close to the Place de la Comédie, where the Opéra-Théâtre, one of the oldest working theatres in France, faces the Temple Neuf on its island. Guests rate it 7 out of 10, below the other historic addresses, so I would book it for its setting by the water rather than for its rooms. A public underground car park nearby is free for guests, which is useful in a centre where parking is limited.
La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection occupies the former 16th-century provisions store of the town's citadel, a long stone building near the Arsenal concert hall and the Esplanade gardens. It offers large rooms and suites, a bistronomic restaurant and a bar, with individual air-conditioning. I would choose it for a more comfortable stay with dinner on site. From there, the Esplanade leads down towards the Moselle and the islands, and the Centre Pompidou-Metz, the modern art museum by the station, is a pleasant walk away through the Quartier Impérial.
A word of honesty about the other hotels listed for Metz. Cit'Hotel L'Escurial, about 500 metres from the Metz-Ville station, is a simple hotel with double-glazed rooms, convenient for the station and the Centre Pompidou-Metz. Novotel Metz Centre offers a heated outdoor pool, a playground and parking in a modern building. Best Western Plus Metz Technopole is a contemporary hotel on the edge of a golf course about 3 km from the centre. None of them is a historic building, so for that I would choose the Mercure Grand Hôtel, Hôtel Du Théâtre or La Citadelle.
A traveler's take
For a historic stay in Metz, I would book Mercure Grand Hôtel Metz Centre Cathédrale: it occupies an 18th-century building about 100 metres from the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne, so the old town starts at the door. My advice is to visit the cathedral in the late afternoon, when the sun lights its stained-glass windows, then walk across the Moselle to the Opéra-Théâtre and the Temple Neuf at dusk.
Historic hotels
6 stays in Metz
Historic hotelsMetz
La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection
Luxury rooms, bistronomic dining, and a central Metz location
Why guests love itLa Citadelle suits families who want comfort and space in central Metz: rooms and suites are large, with individual air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The esplanade park next door is a pleasant place for children to run around, and the Arsenal concert hall and the Governor's Palace are close by. The bistronomic restaurant and the bar make dinner easy without leaving the hotel, and pets are welcome.
Historic hotelsMetz
Mercure Grand Hôtel Metz Centre Cathédrale
An 18th-century hotel in Metz's historic heart, steps from the Cathedral
Why guests love itMercure Grand Hôtel Metz Centre Cathédrale occupies an elegant 18th-century building in the historic part of Metz, about 100 metres from the Cathedral, so sightseeing with children needs no transport. The renovated rooms have a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, and the reception is open around the clock, useful after a late arrival. A bar area is on site. I would suggest it for families who want a central, historic address.
Historic hotelsMetz
Cit'Hotel L'ESCURIAL
Central Metz hotel with easy access to train station and historic sites
Why guests love itCit'Hotel L'ESCURIAL is 500 metres from Metz-Ville station and a 10-minute walk from the Centre Pompidou-Metz, and for a family arriving by train I would find it an easy base. Rooms have double-glazed windows, which helps children sleep in the centre, and a lift makes luggage simpler. A varied breakfast buffet is served every day. Facilities stay basic, so plan meals out. An 8.3 score over nearly 3,000 reviews is reassuring.
Historic hotelsMetz
Best Western Plus Metz Technopole
Modern hotel on an 18-hole golf course with pool and fitness
Why guests love itBest Western Plus Metz Technopole is a contemporary four-star hotel on the edge of an 18-hole golf course, 3 km from the historic city centre, and I find it a pleasant, quieter choice for families with a car. Rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed. The hotel has an outdoor pool, a fitness room, a restaurant and a bar with a terrace by the pool. Pets are welcome. Plan transport for visits to the old town.
Historic hotelsMetz
Novotel Metz Centre
Modern comfort in Metz's historic heart with a heated outdoor pool
Why guests love itA children's playground and an outdoor heated pool give the Novotel Metz Centre an edge for families staying in the historic centre of Metz. Rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and en suite, with a flat-screen TV and a small living area. On-site parking helps those arriving by car, the Novotel Café serves food through the day and room service covers tired evenings. Parents can use the fitness centre.
Historic hotelsMetz
Hôtel Du Théâtre Centre Historique - Parking Souterrain Public Gratuit
Historic hotel by the Moselle with period furnishings and four terraces
Why guests love itA 17th-century building with 18th-century furnishings sets this hotel apart in Metz, and its riverside spot on the Moselle lets families walk into the historic centre. Four terraces give children room to stretch outside the bedroom. Rooms have a private bathroom, satellite TV and free WiFi, and the continental breakfast can be served in the room, handy with younger children. The 7.1 score points to a simple, character-led stay rather than polish.
Metz
Local tips
- 1Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne on a sunny afternoon to see the light through its stained glass, including the Chagall windows.
- 2Walk to the Porte des Allemands, the fortified bridge-gate on the eastern edge of the old town.
- 3Cross to the Place de la Comédie to see the Opéra-Théâtre and the Temple Neuf on their island.
- 4Shop at the covered market next to the cathedral for local produce and Lorraine specialities.
- 5Combine the old town with the Centre Pompidou-Metz, a short walk from the station.
- 6Ask for a room facing the river or a quiet courtyard, as the centre stays lively in the evening.
Related searches
Frequently asked questions
Historic hotels · Metz
Mercure Grand Hôtel Metz Centre Cathédrale occupies an 18th-century building about 100 metres from the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne. From there, the covered market, the Place Saint-Louis and the Moselle islands are all within a few minutes on foot, which makes it a practical base for the old town.