Metz: La Ville Verte (18th-19th April 2014)

Nicknamed "La Ville Verte" (The Green City) because of the gardens spread out all over the city, Metz (pronounced as "Mess") represents the center of Lorraine's economy.

Personally, I thought Metz was the most beautiful of the 3 French cities that I went to and I do believe it's because of its "green factor".

It's also where I finally tried Steak Tartare (which was heavenly, by the way). The freshness of the beef was amazing! The place we ate at for lunch served starters, the main course and dessert, where each of those 3 could have been a meal on its own. Oh well, it's France, you've got to enjoy the food!

Spent the second half of the day on my own walking around the city and managed to get a  glimpse of the locals enjoying their day, be it at the park or at the gardens. So yes, La Ville Verte, you deserve your nickname :)

Centre Pompidou-Metz, the museum of modern and contemporary arts in Metz. Officially inaugurated in 2010, it is one of the most visited cultural places in France outside of Paris. The beautiful roof structure was inspired by a Chinese hat, apparently...

Saint-Étienne de Metz (Saint-Stephen of Metz). Also known simply as the Metz Cathedral, it has one of the highest naves in the world. According to official figures, the nave has quadripartite vaults and is 41.41 metres (135.9 ft) high and 15.60 metres (51.2 ft) large. The interior of this cathedral is just incredible.

Temple Neuf (New Temple) and Jardin d'Amour (Garden of Love) with Temple de Garnison (Temple Garrison) in the background.

Here with just the Temple Neuf and the Moselle River that further adds to its beauty. The amount of greenery in Metz is really incredible. It truly lives up to its "La Ville Verte" nickname.

Was told how good the French Steak tartare is and I absolutely loved it ♥ And if you included the starter and dessert after... I couldn't ask for more. It was well worth it!

Back again at the Metz Cathedral after the awesome lunch and preparing to go on a solo walkabout around the city while my buddy headed back to the hotel to do some revision. This is from the south-west of the cathedral where the bell tower, which stands at 69m high, is trying its best to hide...

Place de la Comédie and the Opera Theatre. The multitude of colours gave the impression that Spring was coming. But looking back, Spring didn't come and neither did Summer. It's all Autumn-y again...

Temple de Garnison (Temple Garrison) up close. WWII saw the rest of the church destroyed, leaving only the spire. Interestingly, the square it's located at is called Luxembourg Square.

Just a normal street sign, except for the fact that it has been renamed Place Nelson Mandela, in honour of the late His Excellency Nelson Mandela after his passing in 2013.

Taking a break amongst the greenery close to the Palais de Justice. It's a garden of some sort where families were just relaxing in the afternoon. Here's a little girl who was having fun running around the fountain but now stopping to take a break as well.

The French police on bikes. Wonder why they come in fours?

Palais du Gouverneur. The Autumn leaves...

Porte Serpenoise, the triumphant arch city gate, which marks the South limit of the city of Metz from the 3rd until the early 20th centuries. During the Roman era, the gate was guarded the road to Scarpone (now Dieulouard, near Nancy). In the 19th century, the gate was incorporated into the rampart, as a tunnel dug into the counterscarp. When the walls were "destroyed" the German authorities decided to keep the gate and convert it into an arch.

Little children having a good time with their dads while watching squirrels, while their mums take a rest on the bench. Dads are extremely important to the growth of children. He's the symbol of strength and security that a child always looks to. Not saying that mums aren't important because they are. Just saying that both mums and dads have a crucial role in the upbringing of a child.

Canal de Jouy with Stade Saint-Symphorien (the home stadium of FC Metz) in the background. Beautiful little canal with little boats.

Shine Your light upon me! Metz stays true to its "La Ville Verte" name because green is virtually at every corner of the city. Loved it! Seemed like I lost count, but this is Easter #7 and the last of France. Up next, Belgium!

Nancy: Non inultus premor (16th-17th April 2014)

Non inultus premor (Latin for "I shall not return unavenged") is the motto for the city of Nancy ("Non-see") which is a reference to the thistle (Lorraine's symbol).

Like most French cities, Nancy has a very rich culture, which is evident from its massive collection in its Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nancy) as well as the fact that multiple buildings at Place Stanislas (Nancy's central square) have "World Heritage" status. While it is clearly obvious that the sun was blazing strong, there was a slight breeze that kept the city cool.

A number of iconic buildings were under construction, one of which was the Nancy Central Station, which was a real pity, because it is in itself a key attraction. I reckon just a full day of walking around the city would be perfect!

(Written on 2nd July 2014)

Place Stanislas, the main square of Nancy is among one of the few squares in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list (as a single entry with Place de la Carriere and Place d'Alliance). It's surrounded by City Hall (South), the Fine Arts Museum (West) and the Opera Theatre (East). The North side of the square has buildings which are slightly "shorter" than the other sides to allow for "crossfire between Vaudemont and Haussonville bastions".

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation de Nancy (Nancy Cathedral) houses what has been known as the Great Organ of the Cathedral of Nancy. It is located away from the main square and is in what is considered the New Town instead.

Back at Place Stanislas facing the North side with the Saint-Epvre Basilica in the background. The fact that the square had so much gold/yellow colour meant I just had to take this photo with the effects and all.

Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in the morning sun. This massive building makes up the entire South side of Place Stanislas and houses the Tourism office in the corner.

Place de la Carrière (2nd of the single entry in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list). The gold and yellow give off a very hot and warm feel but as you can see, it clearly was cold... The huge row of trees lined up along the square seems to lead you towards Palais du Gouvernement, as seen in the background.

Pretty in Pink at the Parc de la Pépinière. Located in the city centre just beside the Palais du Gouvernement, this park is half the size of Pooh bear's home and also houses a small little zoo and a puppet theatre.

Admiring beautiful peacocks in the Parc de la Pépinière zoo...

La Porte de la Craffe, Grand Rue. It's actually a gate built in the 14th century at Vieille Ville. Looks a lot like some part of a Disney or fairy castle though :)

The majestic Neo-Gothic Saint-Epvre Basilica. It's massive size probably gives you the impression that it's one of the oldest churches in Nancy, but it's actually one of the newer ones.

At the back courtyard of the Saint-Epvre Basilica. It was funded by donations from Austria and Poland back during its construction.

Are those hounds or wolves? Whatever they are, they're guardians of this little mansion.

Back at Hôtel de Ville in the late afternoon sun to head to the Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts Museum)

The Musée des Beaux Arts was so good and while it was all in French, the beautiful art works were amazing! Just back out to get some of the sun again.

There's something about Nancy's Hôtel de Ville that makes me so intrigued by it... Maybe it's the gold!

The Baroque-styled Église Saint-Sébastien as the sun sets... I've realized one thing about Nancy... She loves telling the time! There are clocks on almost every single main building...