H2olidays

Le Boat

Alsace-Lorraine

Famous for its delicious quiche, the Lorraine region of North Eastern France is renowned for its unspoiled countryside giving some truelly picturesque views to enjoy on your boating holiday.

Regional Highlights

• Strasbourg – visit this UNESCO World Heritage city for its amazing architecture, excellent restaurants and friendly cosmopolitan charm
• France’s oldest church, 4th century Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnais Basilica and the magnificent stained glass windows in St. Stephen’s cathedral at Metz
• Naturally beautiful Saarland in Germany – perfect for nature-lovers
• Baroque Castle and Johanner's open air market-square of Saarbrücken, perfect for a meal in the sunshine
• The Arzviller Boat Lift – a master piece of engineering which lifts (or lowers) your boat 45m in just 20 minutes!
• Magnificent scenery – the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest frame your route
• Water sports, hiking and cycling – something for everyone! Why not follow the cycle paths from Strasbourg all the way to Boofzheim!
• UNESCO World heritage 'Volkinger Hutte' on the river Saar; this former industrial plant now hosts art exhibitions, concerts and much more

The tiny French region of Alsace, and neighbouring Saarland in Germany, is as wonderful as the art and architecture of its cities. Framed by the pine trees of the Black Forest and the blue-tinted Vosges mountains, this culturally unique region has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel and offers superb cruising to suit all tastes.

Here are some cruising suggestions...

Week Breaks

The Art Noveau Cruise
Hesse - Nancy - Hesse
Cruise west through the rolling plains of the Lorraine region, stopping to visit Réchicourt le Château via the excellent fishing lake at Gondrexange. Admire the 15th century Basilica at St Nicolas de Port before arriving in beautiful Nancy. Head to Place Stanislas for glitzy shopping and a café-crème in the sunshine.
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 152 km
Locks: 42
Cruise Time: 25 hrs

The Cosmopolitan Cruise
Hesse - Strasbourg - Hesse
Admire the beautiful scenery as you ascend the Arzviller boat lift and cruise on to Saverne, with its beautiful rose gardens. Home to the European parliament, Strasbourg is a culturally rich city and perfect for shopping and sightseeing. Its entire town centre is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 156 km
Locks: 68
Cruise Time: 37 hrs

The Arzviller Experience
Hesse - Strasbourg - Boofzheim (or vice versa)
Cruising on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin and Canal du Rhône au Rhin, take your boat up the Arzviller boat lift and experience one of the greatest marvels of modern canal engineering. Spend time in the cosmopolitan city of Strasbourg, admire Europe’s biggest stained glass window in Sarrebourg and ...
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 104 km
Locks: 43
Cruise Time: 28 hrs

The Dual Nations Cruise
Hesse - Saarbrucken (or vice versa) or 1 Week - One-way trip
This fantastic cruise through France and Germany can be done either as a One-way trip in either direction or as Return trip to Saarbrucken. Cruise the pretty Canal des Houilleres de la Sarre linking France and Germany and enjoy time at Godrexange lake and watersports at Mittersheim. ...
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 103 km
Locks: 31
Cruise Time: 20 hrs

Longer Breaks

The Triple Nations Cruise
Hesse - Metz - Trier - Saarbrucken - Hesse
A fantastic cosmopolitan and cultural cruise through France, Luxembourg and Germany on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, the Moselle and Sarre rivers and the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre. A licence is required for part of this journey.
Duration: Two Weeks
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 433 km
Locks: 74
Cruise Time: 84 hrs