Thionville combines beautiful architecture with a proud industrial heritage. The city is set on the banks of the River Moselle and has grown from a steel and mining stronghold to a city rich in art, music and culture. Explore the walkable city centre, visit local history museums and attend shows at award-winning theatres and performing arts venues.
Things to do in Thionville
Follow the self-guided walking trail around Thionville’s city centre. It takes you past some of the city’s landmark buildings, including Place du Marché framed by pastel-coloured townhouses. Tables and chairs shaded by white umbrellas spill onto the square. It’s a great place to enjoy breakfast or a pre-dinner glass of wine.
Built from honey-coloured stone and flanked by twin towers, the Church of St. Maximin is another local landmark. It welcomes you with a handsome Neoclassical façade and is home to an enormous Rococo organ installed in the 18th century. An elaborate four-pillared canopy covers the high altar.
Count all 14 sides as you walk around Puces Tower. The tower dates back to the 11th century and was once a stronghold for the Counts of Luxembourg. Inside is an archaeology museum where you can see prehistoric tools, Renaissance weapons and Roman artefacts.
Attend a show at Théâtre de Thionville and discover the city’s passion for performing arts. The Adagio concert hall occupies a beautiful Art Deco building with incredible acoustics, offering everything from classic music recitals to jazz concerts. Catch exhibits by local artists at the light-filled Espace d'Art Suzanne Savary, where sunlight streams into the space through the glass roof.
Getting around Thionville
Thionville is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Moselle in the Grand Est region, a 30-minute drive from Metz and 3.5 hours from Paris. Trains run between Paris and Thionville in under two hours and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is a three-hour drive away.