Marché de Noël: Christmas Markets in Metz

The historic city of Metz is only about thirty minutes across the border from Germany…not that there is any longer a border, which if you haven’t been to Europe lately, you’d soon discover.  The European Union is pretty much under the economic thumb of Germany, except for Great Britain, and the northern European countries.  Sound familiar?  Anyway, drive to France or Belgium or Luxembourg, or any of many other continental countries and forget about showing a passport or answering a snooty border guard’s invasive questions.

Lorraine, where Metz sits  (the other big city is Nancy), has been the ball in a game of military Ping-Pong between France and Germany (including Prussia).  1870 – Advantage Germany.  1918 - Treaty of Versailles, advantage France.  1940 – Advantage Germany.  1945 – Game, set, and match France.

Lorraine even has its own Germanic language, although French is the legal tongue.  So, you’re saying, don’t keep me guessin’, Bro!  How many people speak this that and the other?  Well, about 20+ percent speak a regional dialect, but nearly everyone speaks both French and German.

Ok, ok.  So, let’s get to the Christmas Market part!  Why would anyone cross the border when there are so many Christmas Markets in Germany?

By the way, the French and the Germans have different names for their Christmas Markets, naturally.  Christkindlmarkt (German), Marché de Noël (French).

I’ll give you the best reason:  They’re different.  Different foods, different art & crafts, different atmospheres.  Plus, I like to hear the romantic lilt of the French language, which even makes ‘soup of the day’ sound like an invitation to follow mademoiselle back to the warmth of her fireside, wrestle on a bearskin rug, and sample all things French.

In the food department, the German markets have a lot more sausage, roasted meats, and beer.  In France, they lean toward crepes, wine, and cheese, made from either goat or cow’s milk in equal measure.  In arts and crafts, in Germany there’s a lot of woodcarvings, while in France find the shopper finds more woolens, ceramics, and jewelry.

Hot, spiced wine??  Glühwein!  Also, hot chocolate!

Gotta say, there’s not a hard and fast division.  But, rather than rattle on, let’s take a little tour of Metz’s fabulous Marché de Noël, or rather six or seven of them!

1 Euro is about $1.25

You can't go to Lorraine without stopping for some Quiche Lorraine!  Delicious!

Even the Russians get involved!

Mouth watering yet?

Tasty Nougat!