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071 931 4127
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Mon – Fri: 9am – 11pm | Sat: 10am – 5pm | Sun: Closed

Our base in Hesse

Port du Canal, 57400 Hesse
Hesse

About Hesse

Hesse puts you in prime position to explore your choice of this region’s top highlights. Westward you can cruise through the deepest lock in France and on to Nancy (14hrs from Hesse), city of Art Nouveau and grand Baroque art and architecture. Or you can choose to branch northwards, shortly after Hesse, towards cosmopolitan Saarbücken in Germany. Finally, eastward will take you up the region’s iconic boat lift at Arzviller (2hrs from Hesse) and on to Strasbourg (a further 14.5hrs on).

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Le Boat base Emerald Star base
Point of interest Point of interest

View our Hesse base on Google Maps

What you get on the base

Facilities

  • Toilets and showers
  • Wifi
  • Luggage storage: You may leave your luggage with our reception team on check-in and check-out days – but this is subject to availability, must be collected before the base closes and and is left at your own risk.

Local info

Hotels

  • Hotel Ibis Styles – Tel. +33 (0) 387 035 555
  • Hotel Ibis Budget – Tel. +33 (0) 387 238 243

Restaurants

  • Cabane de Marie – Tel. +33 (0) 3 87 230 961
  • Le Refuge – Tel. +33 (0) 3 87 0 3 23 54
  • Bistro Maître Pierre – Tel. 33 (0) 3 87 24 80 47
  • Le Relais des Gîtes – Tel. +33 (0) 3 87 03 69 75

Shops

In Sarrebourg (5km from the base) you will find several shops, a supermarket, restaurants and other services.

Unfortunately, there are no grocery delivery services in this area.

Local market

  • Sarrebourg every Tuesday and Friday morning.
  • Lutzelbourg every Saturday morning.

Tourist Info

Chapelle Des Cordeliers,

57400, Sarrebourg

Tel. +33 (0) 387 031 182

www.tourisme-sarrebourg.fr 

Fishing

If you would like to do some fishing on your holiday around Hesse a fishing licence is required. The fishing licence can be purchased in the Sports Superstore DECATHLON in Sarrebourg (closed on Sundays) or in advance online on the following website: https://www.cartedepeche.fr.

Electric car charging points

  • At Trois Fontaines car wash (2 spaces) in Sarrebourg center (5 km) 

Travel to Hesse

View our Hesse base on Google Maps

By train

Closest train station(s):

  • Sarrebourg: 5km

By Road

Be prepared: It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe

Car rental:

Car rental is available at Europcar in Sarrebourg (10 min from the base), Deltacar in Sarrebourg (near the Train Station), and at Strasbourg airport. 

Parking

Enclosed gated parking or garage onsite (fees apply).

By Air

Closest airport(s):

  • Strasbourg: 74km (E25)

By Sea

Closest port(s):

  • Caen (698km)
  • Cherbourg (825km)

Book your ferry to France today with our partners Direct Ferries.

Approximate cruising times

From Hesse it is:

  • 23.5hrs (44 locks) to our base in Boofzheim

Plan your days with confidence using our approximate cruising times for the Alsace.

Alsace Guide

Alsace Region Guide

Curious about where the water could take you? This guide will spill the secrets of the region.

  • Must-stop towns and villages, plus local tips on markets, moorings and mouthwatering eats.
  • Cruise times, lock numbers and handy need-to-knows to help you plan your trip.
  • Region-specific info on moorings, locks, and facilities – so you’re always one step ahead on the water.
DOWNLOAD the Alsace region GuidE

Detailed Itineraries

Sometimes too much choice can feel overwhelming, so we’ve drawn on our 55+ years of experience and in-house expertise to create a collection of detailed itineraries exclusively for Emerald Star customers. Featuring handpicked routes, must-see attractions and local dining gems, they’re designed to guide you on your boating holiday and make planning easy.

Wide-angle view of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral and the surrounding square on a bright, sunny day.
58.60 KMs | 28 locks | 7 nights

7-Night Alsace Itinerary: Hesse Return

This leisurely one-week cruise takes you deep into the heart of Alsace-Lorraine, where engineering marvels meet timeless charm. From the dramatic boat lift at Arzviller and the medieval ruins of Lutzelbourg, to the rose gardens and grand château of Saverne, every stop reveals a new side of the region. A day trip by train whisks you into Strasbourg to discover its soaring cathedral and half-timbered old town, while smaller gems like Niderviller and Sarrebourg invite you to uncover porcelain traditions, Chagall’s stained glass, and café-lined squares.
View Itinerary
Panoramic view from the castle ruins in Lutzelbourg overlooking the Marne-Rhine Canal winding through a forested valley and village rooftops.
38 KMs | 8 locks | 3 nights

3-Night Alsace Itinerary: Hesse Return

Discover a short but unforgettable escape on the canals of Alsace. This three-night return cruise from Hesse takes you through peaceful stretches of countryside, remarkable engineering feats like the Arzviller boat lift, and charming villages such as Lutzelbourg, where castles and cliffside walks reward you with sweeping valley views. With time to enjoy authentic regional food, a little shopping, and the simple pleasures of life on the water, it’s the perfect itinerary for a weekend on the water.
View Itinerary
Strasbourg, Petite france
105.80 KMs | 46 locks | 7 nights

Hesse to Boofzheim ONEWAY

This suggested itinerary ticks off three of the ‘must-do’ highlights of this region: the impressive boat lift at Arzviller, the magnificant Château des Rohan in Saverne and the bustling UNESCO city of Strasbourg – home to the European Parliament and the famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame. In between, you’ll visit the Meteor Brewery, watch hand-blown crystal being made and drink in the stunning scenery of this region as you cruise.
View Itinerary
Hesse

Navigation Map & Guide Book

Make the most of your boating holiday by ordering your very own navigation map and guide book of your specific cruising region.

Start exploring your cruising region and planning your holiday from home, with detailed maps, cruising tips, and highlights of towns, villages, and must-see spots along the waterways.

Get 20% off with promo code ‘LEBOAT26’.

To ensure your guide arrives before your holiday, please order at least 1 week in advance if you live in France, and at least 3 weeks in advance if you live outside of France.

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Emerald Star’s Sustainability Plan

Our ‘Climate, Nature & Community’ plan includes our carbon reduction actions, our efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste, and our support for local nature and communities. Learn more about our sustainability efforts, including how you can play your part in preserving waterways for many generations to come.