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Home > Travel France > France Destinations > Metz
Metz
France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and comprises various overseas islands and territories which are located in other regions. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. At 674,843 square kilometres, France is the world's 40th-largest country after Myanmar. France is a member of The European Union and Paris is the capital of this nation. The sole official language of France is French. Since prehistoric times, France has been a crossroads of trade, migrations, and invasions.
Metz is located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille. Although historically Nancy was the capital of the duchy of Lorraine and later the French province of Lorraine, it was Metz which was chosen as the capital of the newly created region of Lorraine in the middle of the 20th century. Its population is 123,776 with density 2951 per square kilometers.
In ancient times Metz, then known as Divodurum, was the capital of the Celtic Mediomatrici, and the name of this tribe, abbreviated to Mettis, formed the origin of the present name. One of the last Roman strongholds to surrender to the Germanic tribes, it was captured by Attila in 451, and finally passed, about the end of the fifth century, through peaceful negotiations into the hands of the Franks. The increasing influence of the bishops in the city became greater when Adalbert I obtained a share of the privileges of the counts. Until the twelfth century, therefore, the history of the town is practically identical with that of the bishops. Charles IV in 1354 and 1356 held brilliant diets there, at the latter of which was promulgated the famous statute known as the Golden Bull.
The city is famous for its yellow limestone architecture, the la Pierre de Jaumont and for its nickname The Green City. Metz is home to FC Metz, a football team in Ligue 2, the second-highest league in French football. Every other year, Metz also hosts Europe's largest hot air balloon festival.
A city known for its historic myths and traditions, scenic beauty, luxurious hotels and cottages, Metz is one of the favorite holiday destinations for most of the vacation lovers.
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