The covered market of Metz sits in an 18th-century stone building right next to the cathedral, originally built as a bishop's palace and converted to a market hall in 1831. The architecture gives it a slightly Rhineland feel from the outside; inside, around 40 stalls sell the best of Lorraine produce — Mirabelle plums and their distilled eau-de-vie, quiche lorraine, charcuterie, regional cheeses, and fresh fruit and vegetables from the surrounding farms.
It is the most enjoyable place in town for lunch on a market day: a few stalls serve hot dishes you can eat at a counter, or you can assemble a picnic and take it to the riverside. Come on Tuesday or Saturday morning when the market is fullest, and look for mirabelle products in late summer. Stop here before walking to the cathedral, the islands, or the medieval arcades around Place Saint-Louis.