Musée de la Cour d'Or
In the heart of old Metz, the La Cour d'Or Museum is one of the city's great museums of art and history. Founded in 1839, it takes its name from the palace of the kings of Austrasia said to have stood here. Visitors wind through a maze of rooms linking several old buildings, from Gallo-Roman collections to medieval art and fine arts. A rich, sprawling place to explore at leisure.
A maze steeped in history
The museum brings several heritage buildings together along a single route, which explains its labyrinthine layout. It notably incorporates the Chèvremont granary, a medieval municipal grain store built in 1457, as well as the small Trinitaires church. This interlocking of old architecture gives the place its singular character: you move from one room to the next, sometimes shifting eras, exploring the history of Metz as much as its collections. Allow plenty of time so you miss nothing.
The Gallo-Roman treasures
One of the museum's highlights is its rich Gallo-Roman collection, among the most important in France for that period. Here you can admire funerary stelae, cinerary urns, everyday objects and sculptures from ancient Divodurum, the former name of Metz. During the 1930s extension, excavations uncovered the remains of Gallo-Roman baths, preserved on site and woven into the route. Stepping down among these ancient walls gives a tangible sense of the Roman city that once flourished here.
From the Middle Ages to the fine arts
Beyond antiquity, the museum devotes a substantial section to the Middle Ages, with Lorraine religious sculpture, painted ceilings and architectural fragments that reflect the standing of Metz in the medieval era. The route continues with a set dedicated to medieval and Renaissance architecture, then a fine arts museum gathering paintings and decorative objects. This progression, from antiquity to more recent centuries, offers a genuine journey through the history of the city and the region, all within a single complex of buildings.
Practical information and access
The museum stands at 2 rue du Haut-Poirier, right in the historic centre, a few steps from Saint-Étienne Cathedral. As the district is pedestrian and hilly, it is easy to reach on foot from the town centre. Allow at least one to two hours to see it all, more if you like to linger. The maze-like route and changes of level are part of the charm; ask at reception about access conditions and current programming before your visit.
Infos pratiques
Adresse : 2 Rue du Haut-Poirier, 57000 Metz
Questions fréquentes
Where is the La Cour d'Or Museum?
At 2 rue du Haut-Poirier, in the historic centre of Metz, very close to Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
What are the opening hours?
The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 12:45pm and from 2pm to 6pm. It is closed on Tuesdays. Check public holidays before your visit.
What is there to see?
Major Gallo-Roman collections (stelae, ancient baths preserved on site), medieval art and Lorraine religious sculpture, a section on medieval and Renaissance architecture, and a fine arts museum.
How long should I plan for the visit?
Allow at least one to two hours to explore all the buildings and collections, more if you like to take your time.
Wikimedia Commons — Dmitry Dzhus from London
