7nt Hesse to Boofzheim ONEWAY
7 nights | 105.80km | 46 locks | Approx. 24 hrs 45 mins of cruising
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.
Suggested itinerary
1
DAY 1: Arrive Hesse
0km | 0 locks | Approx. 0 hrs 0 mins of cruising
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.
Explore Sarrebourg
5pm - 6:30pm
While part of your crew is settling in on the boat, you can take the opportunity to travel to nearby Sarrebourg and stock up on provisions for your week on board. It will take you 7 minutes by car, 10 minutes by bus ot 25 minutes by bike to get there.
Dinner at Le Relais des Gites, Sarrebourg
7:30pm - 9:30pm
A 7 minute drive from the Le Boat base, this restaurant serves delicious French and Swiss cuisine. Dine outisde on their shady deck and toast the start of your holiday. +33 (0)3 87 03 69 75 | relaisdesgites.fr
If you don't have a car to drive to Sarrebourg, Mad's II Kebab restaurant is just a few metres from the base.
Overnight in Hesse
2
DAY 2: Hesse > Arzviller > Lutzelbourg
19km | 4 locks | Approx. 5 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Hesse > Arzviller
9am - 11am
Approx. 2hrs | 0 locks
Just before you get to the Arzviller boat lift, you'll go through two tunnels. The first is 475 metres long and the second is 2306m metres 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.
Descend the boat lift
11am - 12:30pm
Approx. 1hr 30mins | 0 locks
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.
Lunch at La Brasserie des Eclusiers, Arzviller
12:30pm - 1:45pm
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: +33 (0)3 87 25 48 66 | brasserie-eclusiers.com
Explore Arzviller
1:45pm - 4:30pm
After lunch we recommend you head back to the boat lift - its approximately a 15 minute walk from the restaurant. Guided tours of the Arzviller boat lift are possible, which include the machine-room. They are led by qualified guides who provide a full explanation of how the lift works. 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, you'll have time to visit an amazing shop at the bottom of the boat lift, called Cristal Lehrer. 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 souvenior or two to remind you of your travels.
Dinner at Du Panier A La Table, Lutzelbourg
7:30pm - 9:30pm
This new restaurant comes highly recommened by the Le Boat team in Alsace. The food is excellent and would rival any top-dollar restaurant and you can dine in their covered outdoor seating area. +33 3 87 23 08 31
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
3
DAY 3: Lutzelbourg > Saverne
10.30km | 10 locks | Approx. 3 hrs 15 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
There is a fantastic bakery in Lutzelbourg called Fournil des éclusiers which we highly recommend you visit for your breakfast provisions. It is open early most days although, unfortunately, it is closed on Mondays!
Explore Saverne
2pm - 6:30pm
As well as exploring the amazing Château des Rohan, 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.
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. Call to book: +33 (0)3 88 71 16 56 | tavernekatz.com
Overnight in Saverne
4
DAY 4: Saverne > Hochfelden
17.40km | 10 locks | Approx. 4 hrs 15 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
7:30am - 8:30am
Lunch on board, Hochfelden
1pm - 2pm
Explore Hochfelden
2pm - 6:30pm
This small village is the headquarters of the Météor Brewery, which was created in 1640 and produces 320 hectolitres of fine beer each day. Family run since conception, it is the largest independent, own-brand brewer in France and opens its doors to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday for tours between June and September. Make sure to book in advance: brasserie-meteor.fr. You might also have time to visit the Museum of the "Pays de la Zorn", housed in an old synagogue and which documents daily life within the region spanning the past 7,500 years.
Overnight in Hochfelden
5
DAY 5: Hochfelden > Strasbourg
29.40km | 12 locks | Approx. 6 hrs 15 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Lunch at Flam's Vendenheim
12:30pm - 2pm
This place makes a very convenient lunchtime pit stop as you make your journey into Strasbourg. It is located adjacent to the moorings in Vendenheim and has a traditional wood-fire oven at the centre in which the restaurant's speciality, Flammekueche, are cooked. Flammekueche, or tarte flambée, is a specialty of the region and is made of thinly-rolled bread dough covered with fromage blanc or crème fraîche, onions and lardons. You can enjoy your Flammekueche on their outside decking. +33 (0)3 90 29 89 52
Explore Strasbourg
4:30pm - 6:30pm
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.
Dinner at Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Located in "the most beautiful house in Strasbourg" the dinner in this restaurant will be an unforgettable experience. Bookings are advised: +33 (0)3 88 32 42 14 | maison-kammerzell.com
Overnight in Strasbourg
6
DAY 6: Strasbourg > Plobsheim
14.40km | 5 locks | Approx. 3 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Explore Strasbourg
9am - 12:30pm
Strasbourg is a showcase of different architectural eras, starting from medieval, followed by Renaissance, Romantic and Art Nouveau. To see this beautiful city in its full glory, we recommend a city tour by boat along the Ill River; the surrounding area of the river is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Batorama's 70 minute tours depart from Parc de l’Etoile and end at Palais de Rohan. The grand Palais de Rohan was built in 1730 and currently houses three museums; The Archaeological Museum, Decorative Arts Museum & tje Fine Arts Museum.
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
12:30pm - 1:30pm
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. Yum! artisanduwrap.com
Afternoon in Strasbourg
1:30pm - 3pm
Strasbourg has plenty of 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.
Dinner at Au Boeuf, Plobsheim
7:30pm - 9:30pm
We recommend dining at Au Boeuf, with their homemade food and delicious flambées - the Alsatian speciality! +33 (0)3 88 98 58 25 | restaurantauboeuf.fr
Overnight in Plobsheim
7
DAY 7: Plobsheim > Boofzheim
15.30km | 5 locks | Approx. 3 hrs of cruising
Breakfast on board
8am - 9am
Lunch at Auberge de la Treille, Boofzheim
12:30pm - 2pm
We recommend Auberge de la Treille, a family-run restaurant with outstanding quality French cuisine. +33 (0)3 88 74 60 44
Explore Boofzheim
2pm - 6:30pm
Enjoy the bustling town of Boofzheim with its shops, restaurants and many other activities. Situated in the heart of the “Ried” (vast wetlands) and 1.4km away from the Le Boat base, you will see many timbered houses from the 17th and 18th century, as well as the 13th century St-Etienne church.
Dinner at Au Vieux Couvent, Boofzheim
7:30pm - 9:30pm
End your holiday with a special treat at this Michelin-rated restaurant with exquisite dishes straight from the family vegetable garden, including rare plants and edible flowers. Dine on tasty regional fish, game from local hunts and meat from farmers the chef knows. The restaurant is located a 6-minute drive away in the neighbouring village of Rhinau. You won’t be disappointed – make sure you book: +33 3 88 74 61 15 | auvieuxcouvent.fr
Overnight in Boofzheim
For families with younger children
Boofzheim: During the summer, you can enjoy the water activities at "Europapark". This famous German leisure park is only 13km away - ask the Le Boat base team how to get there. You may decide to leave Strasbourg earlier so you can spend a full day there.
8
DAY 8: Depart Boofzheim
0km | 0 locks | Approx. 0 hrs 0 mins of cruising
Breakfast on board
7:30am - 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout)
Depart Boofzheim
9am