Discover the Marne Rhine Canal: a 7 night one way boating holiday in the Alsace Lorraine

If you’ve been inspired by Timothy West and Prunella Scales on Great Canal Journeys and would like to have your own boating adventure through the Alsace Lorraine region, you can! Alsace boating holidays offer superb cruising to suit all tastes; nature-lovers, history buffs and city explorers.

We’ve listed below the main stops on a 7 night one way boating holiday in the Alsace that would allow you to see the same sights, and take in the same experiences as our national treasures did.

About the Marne-Rhine Canal

The Marne-Rhine Canal is a 313-kilometre (194 miles) waterway linking the Marne in Paris to the Rhine in Strasbourg, crossing eastern France. Completed in 1853, it has 154 locks, including the impressive Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane, a unique boat lift replacing 17 traditional locks. The canal winds its way through the picturesque regions of Lorraine and Alsace, passing vineyards, medieval towns and beautiful landscapes, making it an ideal route for a boating holiday. This canal is suitable for beginners, thanks to its calm waters and easy-to-navigate locks. Throughout your cruise, you will find numerous mooring options, both along the canal and in small ports and river stops, making it easy to stop and explore the surrounding area or take a break. To help you prepare for your cruise and your stopovers, check out our guide to mooring a boat.

Niederviller

Start your Great Canal Journey by arriving at our base in Hesse. You can fly to this region of France from the UK in around 1.5 hours.

Once you have registered and completed the navigation instructions, your adventure can begin. After sailing for 45 minutes, you will arrive in Niederviller.

This charming village, adorned with flowers, is known for its Baroque bell tower and its long tradition of porcelain manufacturing, which has left its mark on local history. The old kilns, still visible in the village centre, bear witness to this artisanal heritage. The Niderviller porcelain factory offers an insight into this iconic craft and the identity of the town. For lunch, the Café Resto Lorrain is a popular spot with boaters and locals alike. This friendly café serves French and Italian cuisine, with dishes prepared using seasonal produce, in a relaxed atmosphere, with a terrace in summer.

The Horizon models (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cabins) are particularly suitable for this cruise, accommodating 2 to 12 people. Equipped with bow and stern thrusters, they are easy to handle and ideal for beginners. Their spacious upper deck, with benches, table and plancha grill, is perfect for enjoying your time on board throughout your stay.

Lutzelbourg

Trom Niederviller, it takes about 4 hours to reach Lutzelbourg, depending on the cruising speed and the passage through the locks.

You will first pass through two tunnels, the first lasting only a few minutes, the second measuring more than 2.5 km. You will have to wait for the traffic light to turn green. Once you have passed through, you will arrive at the top of the Arzviller boat lift, an inclined lift that replaces a chain of 17 locks in the heart of the Vosges mountains, which would previously have taken a whole day to pass through.

As you pass through the pretty village of Lutzelbourg, you will see the ruins of the castle above you. You may notice many American flags around the town, as Lutzelbourg was annexed by Germany during the Second World War and was one of the first places to be liberated by American troops in 1944. If you are a history buff, check out our article ‘8 hidden treasures in Europe to discover by boat’.

The Restaurant des Vosages is one of the best places to eat in Lutzelbourg. It is famous for being the place where Hitler met with soldiers on Boxing Day in 1940. They also serve an excellent tiramisu.

Saverne

The 3-hour cruise from Lutzelbourg to Saverne is delightful, however the entrance into Saverne itself is stunning. With only a glimpse of the town visible as you approach, you then descend a deep lock, and as the lock gates open the town is revealed!

As you come around the corner you will see Rohan Castle, you can moor directly opposite and enjoy a top deck dinner just like Tim and Pru did. Or take a walk in to town and dine at Tavern Katz, a typically Alsatian restaurant dating back to the 16th century. 

Hochfelden

Upon leaving Saverne, your next destination is Hochfelden, a relaxed 4-hour cruise away. The small village produces 320 hectolitres of beer every day!

The Meteor Brewery is a family run business that is the largest independent own-brand brewer in France, and you can take tours Wednesday – Sunday.

Also in the village is the museum Pays de la Zorn, which is housed in an ancient synagogue and documents daily life within the region spanning the past 7,500 years!

Strasbourg

From Hochfelden, it takes about 3 hours in total to reach Strasbourg. On your itinerary, enjoy a lunchimte break in Vendenheim. Located right next to the moorings, the Flam’s Vendenheim restaurant serves Flammekueche, a regional speciality cooked in a wood-fired oven, in a friendly setting.

After this stop, the journey between Vendenheim and Strasbourg takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, with 5 locks, before arriving at the city gates. Strasbourg is an essential stop on your trip, appreciated for its heritage and typical Alsatian culture. You can moor at the port located outside the city centre and then easily reach the heart of Strasbourg by tram.

The city can be explored on foot, allowing you to enjoy iconic monuments such as Strasbourg Cathedral and its astronomical clock, or the Petite France district, known for its half-timbered houses and canals. At the end of the day, the neighbourhood’s bars and cafés offer a lively atmosphere, while in summer the cathedral hosts a sound and light show. For dinner, the Maison Kammerzell, located opposite the cathedral, is a renowned address for discovering Alsatian cuisine in a historic setting. This stopover is one of the highlights of the cruise.

Boofzheim

From Strasbourg, it takes about six hours to reach Boofzheim, with a stopover in Plobsheim. This last part of the cruise is peaceful and marks the end of the itinerary in Alsace Lorraine.

Boofzheim is a pleasant place to spend the end of your stay. You can take the opportunity to explore the town centre, its shops, restaurants and activities in a friendly atmosphere.

For lunch, the Auberge de la Treille is a popular spot, offering quality French cuisine in a family setting. In the evening, the Au Vieux Couvent restaurant, located in the neighbouring village of Rhinau, offers a renowned gastronomic experience, showcasing local and seasonal produce. Boofzheim is the final stop on this cruise.

A little extra for families with young children: Europa Park is open all year round. The famous amusement park is located about 13 km from Boofzheim and our team will give you all the information you need to get there.