Who Tamed the Dragon of Metz? A New Family Treasure Hunt

Look closely at the cathedral of Metz and you will find a saint with a small, grumpy dragon on a chain at his feet. Who is this creature, and how did it end up there?

It is the Graoully, the most famous monster in the history of Metz. Legend says it lived in the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre and scared the whole city, until Saint Clement, the first bishop of Metz, tamed it. For centuries, people carried a giant Graoully through the streets in processions, and the writer Rabelais mentioned it in one of his books. Today, a huge dragon still hangs above Rue Taison.

From 26 September, our new quest The Dragon on a Chain lets families follow the Graoully's trail through the old town. Kids look for real clues in the stone at six stops, from the cathedral to Place Saint-Louis, and discover the end of the legend on the way. It takes about 40 minutes and is completely free:

start the Graoully treasure hunt in Metz

Bring the whole family, and tell us which dragon you spotted first!