1 INTRODUCTION  
2 DATA  
3 ANALYSIS  
3.1 Estimation of the RGB slopes  
3.2 Calibration of the RGB slope as a function of metallicity  
4 NIR METALLICITY MAPS OF THE LMC  
5 DISCUSSION  
5.1 Impact of reddening and distance variations  
5.2 Metallicity distribution within the LMC  
5.3 A metallicity gradient within the LMC  
6 SUMMARY