The Crypt and the Treasure

Located under the Cathedral’s choir, the crypt is the bishops’ burial site (for those from the 19th and 20th centuries): The Cardinal of Montmorency, His Grace Jauffret, His Grace Besson, His Grace Pelt, His Grace Heintz, and His Grace Schmitt. It is also a burial site for the bishops of the 21st century. Our bishops are the pastors belonging to the diocese so they are the successors to the apostles, the pillars of the ChurchI. By having their graves in the crypt, they symbolically become the guardians of the Catholic faith, and they are at the heart of the foundations of the mother church. We can put our faith in their prayers.

In the two other rooms that make up the crypt, visitors can discover and admire its architecture and sculpture collection. You will also find the famous effigy of the Graouilly there, which was carried in a procession during the Middle Ages, commemorating Saint Clement, the first bishop of Metz, for his victory in vanquishing evil forces. Models of the French Gothic-style cathedrals are also displayed in the crypt, along with Romanesque elements of Metz Cathedral. Among the most valuable treasures of this Chapter, is the equestrian statuette said to be ‘“of Charlemagne’, now displayed at the Louvre Museum, but a beautiful replica is displayed and can be admired in the crypt.

The treasure, located in the episcopal sacristy, contains remarkable items such as the supposed cope “of Charlemagne”, and Saint Arnoul’s ring, ivory bishop crosiers dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, gold artefacts from the 12th to the 19th century. A polychrome wooden head with a hinged jaw, dating back to the Middle ages, was formally part of the (now defunct) Cathedral organ has become famous. Known as the ‘Gueulard (‘the loudmouth’), its mouth opened when the lowest note of the instrument was played.

To visit the crypt and the treasure, please visit l’Œuvre de la cathédrale website:

Œuvre de la cathédrale website