Lantern Trail (Sentier des Lanternes) in Metz

Beneath the two-hundred-year-old oaks of Square Boufflers, the Moselle département sets up a lantern trail every winter inspired by local Christmas traditions. Thousands of illuminated figures and monumental scenes form a small enchanted forest you can stroll through in about half an hour at your own pace. It is free and needs no booking, so it works well with children after school or after the Christmas market. It is popular (last year set an attendance record), and on weekend evenings there is often a queue. Tip: come on a weekday from 5 pm, then walk on to the nearby Lac aux Cygnes, where winter dancing fountains are also announced.