Hesse RETURN 7-Night Itinerary

7 nights | 58.60 KMs | 28 locks | Approx. 16 hrs 30 mins of cruising

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.

Suggested Iternerary

Arrive at base

2pm-5pm

After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.

Food for the journey: We recommend stopping off in Sarrebourg, just a 10-minute drive from our base, to stock up on groceries for a few meals on board. Here you’ll find supermarkets such as Lidl, Intermarché, Grand Frais and ALDI. Do your shopping before check-in to ensure you can set off on your cruise as soon as your pre-departure briefing is complete.

Hesse > Niderviller

5pm-6pm

Approx. 1 hr

Make your way to your first overnight mooring at Niderviller Marina, just a short 5km cruise from the Emerald Star base. This gentle stretch of canal is ideal for getting into the rhythm of your cruise. Continue along the waterway until your mooring appears on the right. With no locks or lifting bridges to navigate along the way, this is a perfect introduction to your holiday. Moor up and settle in for your first night on board.

*Please note: Departure depends on daylight and briefing completion. If you’re running short on time and won’t make it all the way to Niderviller Marina before dark, simply spend your first evening on board at the Hesse base in our marina.

Dinner on board

7pm-9pm

As it’s your first night on board, we recommend enjoying a cosy dinner in your new floating home. With a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. Unpack the groceries you picked up in Sarrebourg and treat yourself to your very own canal-side dinner party – relaxed, scenic, and all yours to enjoy.

Overnight in Niderviller

Breakfast on board

8am-9am

Niderviller > Arzviller

9am-10am

Approx. 1 hr | 2 tunnels | 1 boat lift

Gear up for an exciting day of cruising! Just before you get to the Arzviller boat lift, you’ll go through two tunnels. The first is 475 meters long and the second is 2306m meters long. The tunnels are too narrow for two boats to pass each other, so they are controlled by lights – only proceed when the light is green.

Boat Lift: Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane
Tunnel: Niderviller tunnel (475 m)
Tunnel: Tunnel Niderviller – Arzviller (2306 m)

Alsace, Arzviller boat lift — Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane

Descend the boat lift

10am-11:30am

Approx. 1hr 30mins

More accurately known as the ‘Inclined Plane of St. Louis’, there is nothing else like it in Europe. It came into service in 1969 and replaced a chain of 17 locks, which took an entire day to pass through. Nowadays, the descent of 44.5m is traversed in just four minutes, allow 40 to 90 minutes, including possible waiting time if there are many boats needing to use the boat lift.

Hesse RETURN 7-Night Itinerary — La Brasserie des Eclusiers

Lunch at La Brasserie des Eclusiers

12pm-1:30pm

We recommend having lunch at La Brasserie des Eclusiers, which is located 800m along the canal from the bottom of the boat lift. Enjoy delicious local fare along with an impressive wine menu. Reservations are recommended: brasserie-eclusiers.com | +33 (0)3 87 25 48 66

Boat mooring available – closed on Tuesdays | +33 (0)3 87 25 48 66

Explore Arzviller

1:30pm-4:30pm

After lunch, moor at the bottom of the boat lift and stroll towards the Cristal Lehrer shop before following the road upwards to the top. Here you can join a guided tour of the Arzviller boat lift, including the machine room, with expert guides bringing to life the story of this extraordinary feat of engineering. If you’re interested in its history, a little train can also take you upstream to explore the beautiful “Valley of the Lock-keepers” to experience the early days of navigation. Visit plan-incline.com for tour information and to book. The tour that includes the train departs at 2:30pm – you should arrive 30 minutes prior.

Alternatively, if you decide not to take the train to the Valley, take time to explore Cristal Lehrer at the foot of the lift. It offers handmade and mouth-blown crystal glasses, vases, decorations and more and they do regular glass blowing demonstrations. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a gift or two to remind you of your travels.

Arzviller > Lutzelbourg

4:30pm-6pm

Approx. 1hr 30mins | 4 locks

Take a leisurely cruise up to Lutzelbourg for a memorable dinner and evening ahead. You’ll pass through four locks along the way before reaching your mooring at Port de Lutzelbourg on the left.

Lock: n°21 de Lutzelbourg
Lock: n°18 de Henridorff
Lock: n°19 de Lutzelbourg
Lock: n°20 Lutzelbourg (Canal de la Marne au Rhin)

Dinner at Brasserie Chez Elise, Lutzelbourg

7:30pm-9:30pm

In the heart of Lutzelbourg, Chez Elise is the perfect spot for a warm and relaxed dinner. With a menu full of authentic French dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, it’s a place where tradition meets generous flavours. Elise and her friendly team welcome you like family, creating a cozy setting for a memorable evening.

Make a reservation: Brasserie Chez Elise | +33 (0)3 87 07 00 08

Overnight in Lutzelbourg

For families with younger children

Arzviller boat lift: On the road from the top to the bottom of the lift, kids (and big kids) can whoosh through the trees on the 500m luge track. The luge track is open from April to September. Info & prices : luge-plan-incline.com

Breakfast at Fournil des Éclusiers bakery, Lutzelbourg

7:30am-8:30am

Start your morning with a short stroll to this artisan bakery and pastry shop. Enjoy a coffee alongside a buttery croissant, pain au chocolat, or one of their tempting pastries, all baked on site with natural ingredients. For those with dietary needs, the bakery is also renowned for its gluten-free baguette. Take a seat outside and soak up the village atmosphere.

Lutzelbourg > Saverne

9am-12:15pm

Moor in front of the lovely Château des Rohan and enjoy the view before heading off to lunch.

Approx. 3 hrs 15 mins | 10 locks

Lock: n°22 de Lutzelbourg
Lock: n°23 de Lutzelbourg
Lock: n°24 de Danne-et-Quatre-Vents
Lock: n°25 CMRE
Lock: n°26 de Saverne
Lock: n°27 de Saverne
Lock: n°28 de Saverne
Lock: n°29 de Saverne
Lock: n°30 – 31

Lunch at El Ceviche, Saverne

1pm-2:30pm

At El Ceviche, moored in the marina just opposite the castle, you’ll discover a tempting selection of fresh seafood to enjoy on board or to take away. Oysters, langoustines, smoked fish, rillettes, and tapas are available throughout the day, making it easy to settle into this unique and friendly spot for a relaxed lunch. Open from Tuesday to Saturday.

Make a reservation: El Ceviche | 06 32 24 84 64

Grab a sweet treat from Jacques Bockel I Love Glace after lunch, just opposite the El Ceviche floating bistro.

Saverne Rose garden — Saverne Rose Garden

Explore Saverne

2:30pm-5:30pm

As well as exploring the amazing Château des Rohan (often called the “Versailles of Alsace.”), we would recommend paying a visit to The Saverne museum, which holds the title of the oldest municipal museum in Alsace after the museums of Strasbourg and Colmar. The internationally renowned Saverne Rose Garden gives Saverne its title of “City of Roses” and is also a “must-see” on your visit. The 1.5 hectare garden has a collection of about 8,500 roses divided into 550 varieties.

Drinks at La Cave, Saverne

5:30pm-7pm

Enjoy a late afternoon stroll to La Cave, a relaxed wine‑bar right by the canal offering wines (by the glass) and small bites. Ideal for a pre-dinner aperitif on the water.

Dinner at Taverne Katz, Saverne

7:30pm-9:30pm

We recommend booking a table at the Taverne Katz, a quintessential Alsatian restaurant that perfectly reflects the charm of the region. Enjoy the warm, cosy and family-friendly setting. Make a reservation: +33 (0)3 88 71 16 56 | tavernekatz.com

Closed on Mondays (all day), and on Wednesdays and Sundays (in the evenings).

Another great option is Restaurant Caveau de L’Escale, a welcoming cellar restaurant next to the canal serving beautifully prepared Alsatian cuisine. Dine on the terrace overlooking the canal, or in the vaulted cellar for a more intimate setting. Make a reservation: +33 (0)3 88 91 12 23

Overnight in Saverne

Breakfast on board

7:30am-8:30am

Saverne > Strasbourg (by train)

9am-9:30am

Approx. 30 mins by train

From Saverne it’s easy to enjoy a full day in Strasbourg. The SNCF station sits right in the town centre, just a short walk from the canal port, with frequent direct trains making the journey in around 25 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the station office or online via the Trainline app.

Explore Strasbourg

9:30am – 1pm

Strasbourg is a showcase of different architectural eras, starting from medieval, followed by Renaissance, Romantic and Art Nouveau. The grand Palais de Rohan was built in 1730 and currently houses three museums; The Archaeological Museum, Decorative Arts Museum & the Fine Arts Museum. Set along the Ill River, this historic heart of the city forms part of Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another highlight is just around the corner: Grandiose Cathedrale Notre-Dame, a sandstone Cathedral “rises like a most sublime, wide-arching tree of God”, as Goethe marvelled. This impressive landmark is a merge of two styles, Romaneque & Gothic, due to long-built construction. Keep an eye on the most recognizable element of the structure: the kaleidoscope of the rose window. There is also a viewing platform from where you can see the whole city. We recommend visiting the tourist office and purchasing a Strasbourg Pass, which can be used to gain access to the Cathedral, Palais de Rohan, and many more sites.

Lunch at L’Artisan du Wrap

1pm – 2pm

A quick, but very tasty lunchstop located just across the river from the cathedral. Each wrap is stuffed full of fresh ingredients which gives an explosion of flavour.

Afternoon in Strasbourg

2pm – 6pm

Strasbourg has plenty more exciting places to visit. For fans of local history, we recommend the Musee Alsacien, which has exhibits on local traditions and arts & crafts. If you would like to see a more “modern part” of the city, be sure to check Palais de l’Europe, home of the European Parliament. Enjoy the end of the day visiting “La petite France” quarter and its numerous bars and cafés. On summer evenings, the landmark of the city, Cathedrale Notre-Dame is a part of the light performance, son et Lumiere. Every summer has a dedicated theme, which is related to local folklore or history of Alsace. While out and about, pick up a few local eats for a relaxed dinner on board.

Strasbourg > Saverne (by train)

6pm-6:30pm

Approx. 30 mins by train.