Cruise in Alsace: don't miss the Inclined Plan of Arzviller

What is the Inclined Slope of Arzviller? We'll tell you all about it!

When researching river cruises in Alsace, you're bound to have heard of the “Plan Incliné d'Arzviller”, but do you know exactly what it is? Don't worry, we'll explain it all to you!

Located in the heart of the Vallée des Éclusiers, on the Marne-Rhine canal, the Inclined Plan of Saint-Louis/Arzviller is an impressive structure that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Inaugurated in 1969, this boat lift is a real technical feat that saves river boats a considerable amount of time. During your river cruise in Alsace, hire a houseboat in Saverne to cross this magnificent structure.

Before the Plan Incliné was built, commercial houseboats travelling from Strasbourg to Paris had to pass through a series of 17 locks over a distance of 4 km in the Teigelbach valley to climb the slope. This tedious process took a whole day of navigation. Today, thanks to the simple operation of the Inclined Plan, this spectacular ascent takes just 4 minutes, reducing the total journey time between entering and leaving the boat to just 20 minutes. If you hire a houseboat in Lutzelbourg, Saverne or Hesse you can easily get to the Plan Incliné in Arzviller.

The inclined plan works in an ingenious way: it consists of a trough parallel to the slope, located downstream, filled with water and closed by movable doors. The boat enters the trough and is gently lifted up to the upstream channel, which is 44.55 metres higher, by the weight of the water and counterweights. This configuration makes it one of only three boat lifts of its kind in Europe, along with those at Kranoyarsk in Russia and Ronquières in Belgium. However, the transverse construction of the Plan Incliné d'Arzviller makes it unique among them.

The design and construction of this monumental structure in a valley with steep slopes was a complex technical challenge. No fewer than 700 workers laboured for four years to shape the gradient and install the rails, trolleys, bins and counterweights needed to keep the Inclined Plan running smoothly.

Fifty years after its commissioning, the Inclined Slope of Saint-Louis/Arzviller remains a remarkable achievement, testifying to the architectural know-how of its time. It has even been awarded the "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" label by the French Ministry of Culture, underlining its historical and cultural importance.

While freight traffic on the Marne-Rhine Canal has declined in recent decades, river tourism in the region is booming. Every year, more than 8,500 pleasure boats use the Inclined Plan, attracting more than 75,000 visitors who are fascinated by this technical feat.

The Plan Incliné d'Arzviller is much more than just a river structure; it's a testament to human ingenuity and the history of river transport in Alsace. Its preservation and its role in the region's economic development and tourism make it a must-see destination for travellers keen to discover the wonders of engineering and cultural heritage.

Now that you know a little more about the Plan Incliné d'Arzviller, hire a houseboat in Lutzelbourg and take your turn at crossing it!