City (pop., 1999 est.: 123,776), northeastern France.
It derives its name from the Mediomatrici, a Gallic tribe who made the city their capital. Fortified by the Romans, it became a bishopric in the 4th century AD. It passed to Frankish rule in the 5th century and became the capital of Lorraine in 843. It prospered as a free town within the Holy Roman Empire . Taken by the French in 1552, it was formally ceded to France in 1648. It fell to German rule in 1871 but was returned to France after World War I. It is the birthplace of Paul Verlaine .
Porte des Allemands (Gate of the Germans), Metz, France.
P. Salou
Shostal