Metz 🇫🇷 11kms 🚶‍♀️ Sightseeing - Paris 🇫🇷

 And just like that my mini jaunt is over.  

Today I explored Metz a town with history dating back to Roman times. Metz sits at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers and was a fortification town and much of the wall still exists. 

Lots of cobbled streets, quaint architecture and relaxed people ambling about on a warm sunny day. I spent the day sightseeing with a young American guy from the hostel as we walked out together and after taking the same direction several times we acknowledged we were probably going to visit similar places. He has been away for nearly a year, travelling on a digital nomad visa and soon to head to the UK due to visa. He is a history buff and added lots to what I was seeing. We went to an extensive museum with a basement with a Roman village, baths etc.  

Afterwards we visited a 'very modern', Modern Art gallery.

Then to one of the fortification wall gates and bridge before parting ways.

I caught my Flixbus for the 5hr seamless journey. One guy in front of me obviously very relaxed as he snored loudly for the 5 hrs, much to the amusement of those around.

I bought a few groceries and back to the apartment just after 9pm.

On the train were many runners with race numbers on. The Paris organising committee ran a ballot for local Parisians to run the Olympic marathon course tonight with 20,024 amateur athletes competing from 9pm and another 20,024 for the 10km from 11.30pm tonight. I'm just a bit tired to head out now to go and cheer them on as I plan on being roadside for the Women's marathon in the morning. Just another fabulous initiative for this city that's turned on an incredible games.

Another day in beautiful France 🥰

Luxembourg 🇱🇺 20kms 🚶‍♀️to Metz 🇫🇷

Luxembourg the city has been a pleasure to explore today. This country, surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany has a vibrant past and has quite a regal, welcoming feel about it.  

The capital city is built on a number of layers due to huge cliffs. There are stairs and ramps that take you up or down as well as 23kms of tunnels built into the cliffs.

I took the glass funicular up to the top to walk to a fortress and, as with all transport in the country, this was completely free! This part of the city has modern conference buildings, opera house and museums and they have been built sensitively encompassing the fortress walls. The Fortress is in excellent condition with many levels of walls, like moats but no water. The museum was free and apparently most are free or very cheap with one free day per week!  

I then descended down through the fortress walls and a forest to the river level and made my way to the glass elevator that takes you right to the top of the cliffs. This free elevator gives views of the pretty houses along the waterways and has a glass platform to stand on for more views 😊 (I worked in the elevator industry for a number of years and so nerded out a bit on this 😂).

I just made it to my free walking tour in time and Daniella gave an informative tour over the next couple of hours. Some interesting facts such as, Luxembourg used to be the biggest producer of roses in Europe with 200 varieties, each named after the Royal family line and notable people, steel is a major industry, Half of the country’s population are expats and allowed to vote, they speak French, German and English and in the capital also Portugese as many workers were brought in for building projects,, 40yrs ago the Government gave free land to large companies to build headquarters and factories to bring employment to the country. Companies such as Goodyear took them up on it

On the tour I met Amanda (who was enroute to Poland & Latvia to go hiking) from the Gold Coast, we went for a drink and chat after the tour and then to the Cathedral before parting ways. Kindred spirits for sure 😊

I continued exploring the historic areas,

stopped for afternoon tea before returning to my hostel to collect my bag and walk back up the levels to the train station. A bus replacing a train for half of my trip into France due to track work , but pretty smooth transition and connection to the train, arriving 7pm (except I left my bag on the transfer bus and ran back and the driver was working out if it was a danger/bomb or an oversight! Made it back to the train before it departed 🙄!).

Back in France tonight in the town of Metz and made my bed and lay down in my hostel.for a bit before heading out to get something to eat. I just caught sunset (9.30pm.dinner!) over the river and the restaurant district bustling. Looking forward to exploring tomorrow 😊

A full and fabulous day 🎉