Timeline of Metz

Prior to 19th century

1st-2nd century CE - Gorze-Metz aqueduct built.

2nd century CE - Roman Catholic Diocese of Metz active (approximate date).

407(?) - Metz is attacked by the Vandals and Alans after crossing the Rhine.

451 - Metz is sacked by the hordes of Attila the Hun during his campaign into Gaul.

6th century: Metz becomes capital of Austrasia.

768 - Metz becomes part of the Carolingian Empire.

843 - Metz becomes part of Middle Francia.

863 - Religious council held in Metz.

1130 - Notre Dame de la Ronde church built.

13th century

Metz becomes a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire.

Metz rampart and Porte des Allemands (gate) construction begins.

1220 - Templars' Chapel, Metz built.

1343 - Grand pont des Morts (bridge) built.

1356 - Diet of Metz (1356/57) held; Golden Bull issued.

1400 – Public clock installed (approximate date).

1427 - Metz Cathedral spire built.

1437 - Tour Camoufle (tower) construction begins.

1444 - Siege of Metz (1444) by forces of Charles VII of France.

1482 - Printing press in operation.

1552

Metz comes under French rule per Treaty of Chambord.

Siege of Metz (1552).

1560 - Magasin aux vivres de Metz (military building) constructed.

1561 - Porte Serpenoise (gate) demolished.

1564 - Metz Citadel built.

1613 - City customary laws published.

1633 - Parliament of Metz established.

1648 - Metz officially becomes part of France per Treaty of Westphalia.

1731 - Fort de Bellecroix construction begins.

1733 - Fort Moselle military hospital built.

1743 - Hôtel de l’Intendance (mansion) built.

1744 - Louis XV of France visits Metz.

1752 - Opera opens on the Place de la Comédie (Metz).

1757 - Société Royale des Sciences et des Arts de Metz founded.

1777 - Metz Courthouse built.

1787 - Église des Trinitaires (church) built.

1790 - Metz becomes part of the Moselle souveraineté.

1793 - Population: 36,878.

1794 - École d'application de l'artillerie et du génie (military school) established.^(fr)

19th century

1816 - Metz Esplanade (park) opens.

1821 - Population: 42,030.

1831 - Covered Market, Metz opens.

1835 - Metz Conservatory founded.

1844 - 30 March: Birth of Paul Verlaine.

1850 - Metz Synagogue built.

1851 - Réding-Metz railway begins operating.

1854 - Metz–Luxembourg railway begins operating.

1861 - Metz Exposition Universelle (1861) held.

1864 - Arsenal built.

1866 - Population: 54,817.

1868 - Brasserie Amos (brewery) founded.

1870

Fort de Plappeville and Fort de Queuleu built.

Siege of Metz (1870); Prussians in power.

1871

10 May: Metz becomes part of Germany per the Treaty of Frankfurt (1871).

Metz becomes part of the Alsace-Lorraine imperial territory.

1872 - Kriegsschule Metz (military school) established.^(fr)

1877 - Lérouville-Metz railway begins operating.

1878 - Train station built.

1881 - Temple de Garnison (church) built.

20th century

1901 - Metz power plant built in Pontiffroy.

1903

Porte Serpenoise (gate) rebuilt.

Wilhelm II, German Emperor visits Metz.

1905

Governor's Palace, Metz built.

Population: 60,419.

1906 - Plantières Queuleu becomes part of Metz.

1907 - Devant-les-Ponts becomes part of Metz.

1908 - Gare de Metz-Ville (rail station) and Feste Kaiserin (fort) built.

1910 - Le Sablon (Moselle) becomes part of Metz.

1911

Post office built.

Population: 68,598.

1918 - Metz becomes part of France.

1919 - Le Républicain Lorrain newspaper begins publication.

1923 - Stade Saint-Symphorien (stadium) opens.

1932 - Football Club de Metz formed.

1936 - Population: 83,119.

1940 - Annexation of the Moselle (1940) by Germany.

1944

27 September: Battle of Fort Driant begins near city (part of Battle of Metz).

13 December: Battle of Metz ends; Germans ousted.

1947 - December: Flood.

1954 - Population: 85,701.

1960 - Les Trinitaires cultural venue created.

1961 - Borny, Magny (Moselle), and Vallières-lès-Metz become part of Metz.

1962 - Population: 102,771.

1970 - Renaissance du vieux Metz (historical society) founded.

1971 - Jean-Marie Rausch becomes mayor.

1973 - Lorraine Marthon begins.

1975 - Groupe Histoire et patrimoine lorrains (historical society) founded.

1977 - Metz library-media centre built in Pontiffroy.

1979 - Socialist Party national congress held in Metz.

1980 - Moselle Open tennis tournament begins.

1982 - Metz becomes part of the Lorraine region.

1983 - Metz Science Park opens.

1989 - Arsenal de Metz concert hall opens.

1991 - Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport opens.

1999 - Population: 123,776.

21st century

2002 - Arènes de Metz (arena) opens.

2006 - May: European Trampoline Championships, 2006 held in Metz.

2007 - TGV hi-speed train begins operating.

2008 - Dominique Gros becomes mayor.

2010

Centre Pompidou-Metz opens.

Metz-Mirabelle Marathon begins.

2011 - Population: 119,962.

2012 - 6 July: 2012 Tour de France cycling race passes through Metz.

2014 - March: Metz municipal election, 2014 held.

2015

Canton of Metz-1, 2, and 3 created per 2014 France cantonal redistricting.

December: Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine regional election, 2015 held.

2016 - Metz becomes part of the Grand Est region.