Alsace-Lorraine and Saarland - cruising in the heart of Europe

Fine food in Alsace-Lorraine

Locks in Alsace-Lorraine

Landscape
Expansive grain-fields, woods with plenty of game, vineyards, picturesque villages and a number of reservoirs and lakes characterize this area. In two nature parks you will find vegetation not generally expected in this area: carnivorous plants, capercaillie on the higher grounds and lynx in the woods. But the main attraction of a boating holiday in the Alsace-Lorraine lies in the historic water buildings and structures. A number of manual and electric locks, several tunnels, the huge lock of Réchicourt and the boat-lift of St. Louis-Arzviller are among other awesome structures present. The Saar-Canal flows in Ètang de Gondrexange into the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. You will pass by lovely lakes and follow the Saar which is here not navigable with boats, till Sarreguemines. The Saar is with over 220km the longest branch of the Mosel. After small and large bows, canalised and natural river, the Saar flows in Konz into the Mosel.

D estination Saarburg till Sierck-les-Bains (Mosel)

Historical tunnels - but please leave your hands on the rudder!

Boating-lift in Arzviller

Canal de la Marne au Rhin
The 290km Canal de la Marne au Rhin connects the basin around Paris with the plain of the river Rhine. It goes up through the Vosge mountains and the Lorraine-Department with the help of numerous locks. At the top there is a long section with no locks where some of our bases are situated. After this highest point the canal runs through two tunnels and drops down again into the Alsacien valley of the river Zorn.

From our base in Niderviller it is only a short journey to the tunnels of Niderviller which are quite an adventure being 500m and over 2km in length respectively. Right after the tunnels you will reach the boating-lift.

Once in the lovely valley of the Zorn you will soon get to Lutzelbourg, a small village famous for glass-blowing. Towering above the village is a castle dating back to the 12th century.

Several locks further you will approach Saverne with its pretty old houses and busy little shops. We recommend you stop right across from the Rohan-castle.

The next bigger town is Strassbourg, capital of the Alsace. You can cruise almost to the centre of the town and the harbour is just a few minutes by foot from the famous cathedral. Follow the Canal du Rhône au Rhin in the south of Strassbourg till Boofzheim.

Étang du Stock

Casino in Sarreguemines

Saar-Canal from Niderviller till Sarreguemines
The Saar-Canal leads from the Etang de Gondrexange at the Canal de la Marne au Rhin to Sarreguemines, situated about 80km further north.

Three lakes make the canal a favourite destination for cruising: the Étang de Gondrexange, the Étang du Stock and the Étang de Mittersheim. There are very nice views from the canals to the lakes which are partly right next to the canal. Till Mittersheim lock-keepers can be found at the locks who are happy if you give them a hand. Near Mittersheim the locks work automatically. Further north till Saarbrucken you will find lots of Penichen locks. Behind Sarreguemines you will leave France.

The impressive "Saarschleife"

Saarburg

Saarbrucken

Saar from Saarbrucken till Saarburg

Right behind Sarreguemines you are in Germany. The licence free waterways are only enjoyable till Saarbrucken. The capital of Saarland has lots of cultural highlights for its guest. Near the St. Johanner marked are lots of small restaurants and cafés. On saturday there is always a farmers market in the centre. Behind Saarbrucken the industrial history of the region becomes visible. Visit the Ironwork Völklinger Hütte which is a World Heritage Site.

The town Merzig lies only a few kilometre before the Saar bow where the river has dug a canyon with cliffs of steep forest. Follow the river till Saarburg. The climb to the castle is well worth the awe inspiring unique river view. After a few kilometres flows the Saar in Konz into the Mosel. Stop at the harbour and take the train (takes only 10 minutes) to the roman town Trier.

Destination Mosel direction Sierck-les-Bains

Further information can be found under www.tourisme-moselle.com.

Turn proposals		days	length	locks
WL	Niderviller, Saverne and back	3-4	46 km	26
WL	Niderviller, Straßburg and back	7-10	132 km	70
WL	Niderviller, Gondrexange, Mittersheim and back	4-7	76 km	26
WL	Niderviller, Mittersheim, Saarbrücken and back	7-10	198 km	62
HCR	Sierck-les-Bains, Schengen, Konz, Saarburg and back	5-7	115 km	8
HCR	Sierck-les-Bains, Saarburg, Saarbrücken and back	7-10	269 km	36
oneways, as proposed or vice versa		days	length	locks
HCR	Wine cruise: Niderviller, Sierck-les-Bains	7-10	236 km	40
WL = without yachting licence HCR = home country regulations* *yachting licence for inland waterways, only required if your home country requires you to have a 'Boat driving licence'.