Marne-Rhine Canal: What Can You See on a Houseboat Holiday?

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What can you discover along the Marne-Rhine Canal?

The Marne-Rhine Canal runs for around 300 km between Vitry-le-François and Strasbourg. On a houseboat holiday in Alsace, its eastern section offers some particularly memorable stops, combining remarkable engineering, green valleys, villages and Alsatian heritage.

Here are some of our favourite places to discover along the way.

The Arzviller Boat Lift: a must-see

It is difficult to talk about the Marne-Rhine Canal without mentioning the Saint-Louis-Arzviller Boat Lift. Opened in 1969, this impressive structure allows boats to overcome a significant difference in height in a large caisson that travels along a slope. It replaced a former series of locks and remains one of the highlights of cruising in the region. And you do not just admire it from the bank: you actually travel through it on your houseboat.

Lutzelbourg: a stop right beside the canal

Before or after Arzviller, depending on your direction of travel, Lutzelbourg offers a quieter stop. The village sits directly beside the canal and is one of CrisBoat's departure bases. It is a pleasant place to stop before continuing towards Saverne and the Zorn Valley. This contrast is part of what makes the destination so enjoyable: within a few hours, you can go from an impressive feat of engineering to small, peaceful stops along the water.

The Zorn Valley: also worth exploring by bike

On this part of the Marne-Rhine Canal, the scenery is an important part of the experience. Cycling is a great complement to cruising: navigate for a few hours, moor your houseboat and then follow the canal by bike. It is another way to enjoy slow travel: covering fewer miles while taking more time to explore your surroundings.

Saverne and the Château des Rohan

In Saverne, the canal takes you right into the town. During your stop, you can discover the Château des Rohan, opposite the marina. Saverne is also known for its rose garden. It is an ideal stop for a change from the more rural sections of the route: moor your houseboat and explore the town on foot.

What if you continue towards Strasbourg?

Continuing east, the canal crosses the Alsace plain and brings you closer to Strasbourg. However, on the CrisBoat itinerary, you cannot take your houseboat directly into the historic city centre. The easiest option is to stop nearby and continue by bike, making use of Strasbourg's extensive cycle network.

Why choose the Marne-Rhine Canal?

This canal offers plenty of variety. You can pass through the Arzviller Boat Lift, cruise through the Zorn Valley, stop in a village and spend a few hours exploring Saverne.

On this section of the Marne-Rhine Canal, the locks are automated and navigation is relatively straightforward.

A great destination if you want a houseboat holiday where the journey is just as much a part of the experience as the stops along the way.