Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region
and prefecture of the Moselle
department.
Located near the junction of France, Germany,
and Luxembourg, Metz is a member of the
QuattroPole union of cities, along with
Luxembourg City and Germany's
Saarbrücken and France's Trier.
Metz has a rich 3,000 year history. Although
the city was steeped in Roman culture it has
also been strongly influenced by Germanic
culture due to its location and
history.
The 'Green City', boasts over 37 square
metres (398 sq ft) of open ground per
inhabitant and the city's historic downtown
displays one of the largest commercial
pedestrian areas in France.
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Metz possesses one of the largest
urban-conservation areas in France (402.53
acres) and some one hundred buildings in the
city are to be found on the 'monument
historique' list.
Because of its tremendous historical and
cultural background, Metz benefits from its
designation as a town of art and history. The
city is home to some world-class venues such
as the Arsenal concert hall, the Centre
Pompidou-Metz museum, and the National Opera
of Lorraine (along with Nancy Opera).
A historical Garrison town, Metz is the
economic heart of the Lorraine region, being
specialized in information technology and
automotive industries. Metz is also a centre
for applied research and development in the
materials sector notably in metallurgy and
metallography, the heritage of the Lorraine
region's past in the iron and steel
industry.
On the way to Metz we pass the champagne
vineyards on the Montagne de Reims (right).
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A TGV express on the outskirts of Reims
(left).
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Metz possesses one of the largest
urban-conservation areas in France (402.53
acres) and some one hundred buildings in the
city are to be found on the 'monument
historique' list.
Because of its tremendous historical and
cultural background, Metz benefits from its
designation as a town of art and history. The
city is home to some world-class venues such
as the Arsenal concert hall, the Centre
Pompidou-Metz museum, and the National Opera
of Lorraine (along with Nancy Opera).
An historical Garrison town, Metz is the
economic heart of the Lorraine region, being
specialized in information technology and
automotive industries.
Metz is also a centre for applied research
and development in the materials sector
notably in metallurgy and metallography, the
heritage of the Lorraine region's past in the
iron and steel industry.
The formal flowerbeds of the Esplanade - and
its statue of a gallant-looking Marshall Ney,
sword dangling at his side (1859) - are
flanked by imposing public buildings,
including the Arsenal Cultural Centre (1863)
and the sober, neoclassical Palais de Justice
(late 18th century).
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The following is a condensed version of
"Napoleonic Wars: Marshal Michel
Ney" by Kennedy Hickman (with
acknowledgement) :
Born in Saarlouis, France on January 10,
1769, Michel Ney was the son of master barrel
cooper Pierre Ney and his wife Margarethe.
Due to Saarlouis' location in Lorraine, Ney
was raised bilingual and was fluent in both
French and German.
Coming of age, he received his education at
the Collège des Augustins and became a
notary in his hometown. After a brief stint
as an overseer of mines, he ended his career
as a civil servant and enlisted in the
Colonel-General Hussar Regiment in
1787.
Proving himself a gifted soldier, Ney swiftly
moved through the non-commissioned
ranks.
With the rise of Napoleon, Ney's career
accelerated as he was appointed one of the
first eighteen Marshals of the Empire on May
19, 1804.In reward for his service in Russia,
he was given the title Prince of the Moskowa
on March 25, 1813. That autumn he was present
when French troops were defeated at the
Battles of Dennewitz and Leipzig.
With the French Empire collapsing in 1813 Ney
aided in defending France through early 1814,
but became the spokesman for the Marshal's
revolt in April and encouraged Napoleon to
abdicate. With the defeat of Napoleon and
restoration of Louis XVIII, Ney was promoted
and made a peer for his role in the
revolt.
Ney's loyalty to the new regime was quickly
tested in 1815, with Napoleon's return to
France from Elba. Swearing allegiance to the
king, he began assembling forces to counter
Napoleon and pledged to bring the former
emperor back to Paris in an iron cage.
Aware of Ney's plans, Napoleon sent him a
letter encouraging him to rejoin his old
commander. This Ney did on March 18, when he
joined Napoleon at Auxerre.
Ney played a key role at the Battle of
Waterloo. His most famous order during the
decisive battle was to send forward the
French cavalry against the allied lines.
Surging forward, they were unable to break
the squares formed by the British infantry
and were forced to retreat.
Following the defeat at Waterloo, Ney was
hunted down arrested. Taken into custody on
August 3, he was tried for treason that
December by the Chamber of Peers. Found
guilty, he was executed by firing squad near
the Luxembourg Garden on December 7,
1815.
During his execution, Ney refused to wear a
blindfold and insisted upon giving the order
to fire himself.
His final words were reportedly:
"Soldiers, when I give the command to
fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the
order. It will be my last to you.
"I protest against my condemnation. I have
fought a hundred battles for France, and not
one against her..... Soldiers -
Fire!â€
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