Metz

Metz feels like a city that's been keeping a wonderful secret. As you wander its cobblestone streets, you'll notice something magical happening with the light—the famous yellow Jaumont limestone seems to glow from within, especially at dusk. This is a place where Roman ruins sit comfortably next to contemporary art centers, where the smell of freshly baked mirabelle tarts mingles with the scent of blooming roses in hidden gardens. For a couple seeking culture and food, Metz offers intimate discoveries around every corner, from the stained-glass masterpieces of its cathedral to cozy wine bars tucked along the Moselle River. You'll find yourselves slowing down here, sharing discoveries over glasses of local wine, and realizing this might just be France's most charming under-the-radar destination.