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River Cruise in the Alsace region
Discovering Alsace via its 400 km of waterways promises an enchanting cruise in one of the most beautiful river destinations of France. Welcome aboard for a journey in a land of traditions and gastronomy located in the heart of Europe!
At Crisboat, we offer you 7 possible locations to start your river cruise : Languimberg, Harskirchen, Hesse, Lutzelbourg, Saverne, Waltenheim et Boofzheim. To help you choose, we suggest you discover the 3 cruising areas of the Alsace region : the Marne to West Rhine Canal, the Marne to East Rhine Canal and the Saar Canal.
- The sumptuous Zorn Valley and its towpath
- Passage through the inclined plane of Arzviller
- Discovering Strasbourg, the sparkling city
Cruise in Alsace
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin towards Strasbourg
What about discovering Alsace by licence-free boat? Opt for a river cruise on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. You will have the opportunity to discover the inclined plane of Arzviller, the valley of the Zorn, littered with castles and numerous gourmet stops or Saverne, the cradle of river tourism in Alsace. During this royal and magical stopover, don't miss the Château des Rohan and its fabulous gardens, including the famous Rose Garden. Above all, let yourself be seduced by Strasbourg, the European capital listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site!
Canal boating holidays in Alsace
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
Built at the same time as the Paris - Strasbourg railway line, the Marne to Rhine Canal was opened between Nancy and Strasbourg in 1853. During your boating holidays on this part of the canal, you can discover Liverdun and Toul, two towns with a rich historical heritage, stop off in the heart of Nancy, capital of the Dukes of Lorraine, and have the opportunity to pass through the Réchicourt lock, the highest in France at 16 metres high and 40 metres long. Alsace will fascinate history buffs and invention enthousiasts, not forgetting nature lovers thanks to the numerous ponds and the Sainte Croix animal park.
- Cruise between nature and historical heritage
- The iconic sites of Lorraine
- Spectacular works of art, unique in Europe
- A canal rich in infrastructure and cycle paths
- Nature-related leisure activities
- A refreshing cruise with a guaranteed change of scenery
Cruise in Alsace
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Saar Canal
Welcome to the Saar Canal, a preserved river route in a green natural environment, ideal for swimming. Admire the beautiful forests and vast reservoir ponds offering a wealth of water sports activities. The picturesque village of Harskirchen will seduce you instantly: flowered balconies, water mill, baroque church. Sarralbe offers a pleasant stopover for history lovers because of the watery side of the Maginot Line. Further up, Sarreguemines welcomes you. The city of earthenware has an exceptional setting on the French-German border. For a rejuvenating moment, push the doors of the Saarland Therme thermal complex, a paradise for relaxation.
Customer testimonials
4.6/5
(based on 46 opinion)
"Exciting."
"C'était super."
"A wonderful weekend with the family."
"Very good experience."
"Do it again and again."
"Great."
"Good. Staff friendly and available."
"Interesting, exciting and relaxing."
"Everything was OK."
"Everything went well :-)"
"Nice."
"Wonderful"
"Very good."
"An adventure, a great trip, friendly people, delicious meals and relaxation."
"Very responsive to our preliminary requests ; the cruise was a great experience."
"Very competent staff."
"Very good, an experience to be repeated."
"Very good, an experience to be repeated."
"Great!"
"The staff were very competent and the heating was repaired quickly."
"We would have liked a slightly more recent boat, but overall we're very satisfied."
"It was amazing ; our technician was great, cheers and thanks to him."
"It was a pleasant stay, but the lock crossings were quite sporty!"
"No problems at all. Everything went smoothly."
"Everything was perfect."
"A new family experience that one should enjoy at least once."
"auto-translation :''Online booking was quick and easy, changes due to Covid were no problem, pick up and return of the boat was friendly and quick. Again happy.''"
"auto-translation :''Super''"
"auto-translation :''Very good''"
"auto-translation :''Very pleasant stay and friendly staff.''"
"auto-translation :''competent and friendly''"
"auto-translation :''Everything well organised, nice contact.''"
"auto-translation :''Very nice discovery of the river cruise with confidence and with all the necessary advice''"
"auto-translation :''Very relaxing stay, we loved mooring where we wanted (in front of the sheep the first night, for example)''"
"auto-translation :''Excellent''"
"auto-translation :''Always that happiness this week of September on our Tarpon 32''"
"auto-translation :''Overall well''"
"auto-translation :''Overall well''"
"Good family time."
"auto-translation :''Pleasant''"
"Wonderful holiday"
"auto-translation : ''Very good welcome from the staff, super friendly''"
"auto-translation : ''Soothing, ideal for relaxing weekend by seeing beautiful scenery''"
"auto-translation : ''Sincerely Okay, good service (commercial service starting point, boat)''"
"auto-translation : ''Nice, quiet, again''"
Best current offers for the destination Alsace
From €386 / pers
Week of the 7/26/25 to 8/2/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €410 / pers
Week of the 7/28/25 to 8/4/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €395 / pers
Week of the 7/21/25 to 7/28/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €393 / pers
Week of the 7/23/25 to 7/30/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €422 / pers
Week of the 7/30/25 to 8/6/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €388 / pers
Week of the 7/25/25 to 8/1/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €417 / pers
Week of the 7/6/25 to 7/13/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €325 / pers
Week of the 7/4/25 to 7/11/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €229 / pers
Week of the 7/5/25 to 7/12/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €223 / pers
Week of the 7/5/25 to 7/12/25
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €420 / pers
Week of the 7/6/25 to 7/13/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €322 / pers
Week of the 7/14/25 to 7/21/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €582 / pers
Week of the 7/25/25 to 8/1/25
- Max. people : 5
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €475 / pers
Week of the 7/13/25 to 7/20/25
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 4
- Bathroom & Toilet : 4
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €551 / pers
Week of the 7/6/25 to 7/13/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €537 / pers
Week of the 7/13/25 to 7/20/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €365 / pers
Week of the 7/5/25 to 7/12/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
Air cooler
Microwave
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €589 / pers
Week of the 8/1/25 to 8/8/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Continuous 220V electricity
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
The locks are automatic on the Marne-Rhine Canal and the Rhone-Rhine Canal. They are closed on some bank holidays. Locks are manual on the Canal de la Sarre.
The Canal de la Marne requires repair work east of Saverne: navigation is therefore interrupted at this level from March 2025 until the end of May 2025.
Sector concerned: Canal de la Marne au Rhin, East branch (on reach 34) between pk 271.016 (Lock 33 at Monswiller) and pk 272.221 (Lock 34 at Steinbourg).
As a result, there is no one-way navigation in Alsace (Boofzheim-Hesse or Languimberg-Waltenheim) from March to the end of May 2025, and no navigation to Strasbourg until the end of May 2025.
Navigation on this region’s waterways is quite easy and perfectly suitable for a first canal cruise experience.
You can moor wherever you want along the canals, even in the heart of the countryside.
Everything you need to know about navigation on a licence-free boat in Alsace
Alsace is one of the most beautiful river destinations in France. This Eastern region is located at the crossroads of Europe and has many assets. The most beautiful part of Alsace for a boating holiday is the various ponds which offer a perfect harmony between rolling countryside, water, forest and green fields. The Inclined Plan of Arzviller on the Marne to Rhine Canal is a spectacular work that should not be missed!
During your river cruise on the Marne to Rhine Canal, you will pass through several typical Alsatian towns and villages such as Nancy, Lagarde, Hesse, Lutzelbourg, Saverne, Waltenheim, Strasbourg or Plobsheim. During your boating holidays, you will discover the gastronomic and traditional Alsace, with its world-famous vineyards and an unsuspected heritage richness.
For an unforgettable experience in Alsace, you can embark on a river cruise with a licence-free riverboat from April to October. If you plan your river cruise in September, enjoy the atmosphere of the grape harvest and taste the new wine!
Renting a houseboat in Alsace allows you to combine river cruising with discovering the history and natural landscapes of this famous region of eastern France, for a unique experience. In Alsace, you can hire a houseboat to navigate the canals at your leisure. You can pass through locks and explore villages steeped in history, while savouring delicious local cuisine. Whether you're a novice or an experienced sailor, houseboat hire offers a unique travel experience that combines the peaceful pace of life on the river with the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the region.
With CrisBoat, hire a houseboat in Alsace from a wide choice of boats. Choose the houseboat that suits your needs and preferences. To make your choice easier, our boats are classified into different ranges.
- The Essential range: The houseboats in the Essential range for hire are of traditional design and are quite old. However, they are perfect for a river cruise in Alsace on a limited budget. Most of them have electric toilets and a 220V socket if they are connected to a quay. Some also have an outside steering position, so you can enjoy the beauty of the Alsace countryside from a terrace.
- The Standard range: The houseboats in the Standard range available for hire in Alsace are equipped with all the necessary comforts, even though they are rather old. They offer several bathrooms, as well as an outside cockpit with a terrace where you can soak up the sun and enjoy uninterrupted views over the canals of Alsace. Some houseboats without a licence are equipped with a bow thruster to make your navigation in Alsace easier.
- The Comfort range: You can hire a comfortable houseboat from the Comfort range in Alsace, ideal for a successful family holiday. These recent boats have a private bathroom for each cabin and some are also equipped with a bimini, microwave, air freshener and flat-screen TV with DVD player, for a pleasant stay in Alsace.
- Premium Range: We offer Premium Range houseboats for hire in Alsace. These elegant boats are particularly spacious and comfortable. Each cabin has its own private bathroom and toilet. Most Premium houseboats come with additional equipment such as air conditioning, a bow and stern thruster, an integrated plancha and an internal 220 V circuit, so you'll never be without an electrical socket on board.
If you're considering your first houseboat charter in Alsace, we've got a few tips to help you make the most of your cruise.
- Finding the right houseboat to hire in Alsace: To choose the right houseboat in Alsace, we recommend that you determine your preferences and requirements. Our boats are suitable for groups of between 2 and 12 people, and come with a range of different options. It is therefore essential to consider your crew and your needs before hiring a houseboat.
- Planning your houseboat trip in Alsace: When choosing a houseboat, it's essential to choose a base in Alsace. With CrisBoat, hiring a houseboat in Alsace gives you access to several departure bases: Boofzheim, Hesse, Languimberg, Saverne, Lutzelbourg, Waltenheim/Zorn, Harskirchen, etc.
- Itinerary for your houseboat charter in Alsace: You can decide on the itinerary for your houseboat charter in Alsace. We recommend that you think about it before you leave and order the Alsace river guide from us. This guide will also be available on your houseboat, so you can plan your itinerary on the day of departure.
- Driving the houseboat in Alsace: Before your departure, you will attend an introductory session lasting around an hour, which will give you the basics for navigating the waterways and using the controls of your houseboat without a licence. You'll also be able to familiarise yourself with the rules of navigation and the operation of the equipment.
- Discover the Alsace region at your own pace: One of the advantages of hiring a houseboat in Alsace is the chance to explore the charming villages, vineyards and delicious regional cuisine. Take the opportunity to sample the local wines.
- Respect for the environment in Alsace: If you hire a houseboat in Alsace, make sure you protect the environment. Follow the navigation rules and make sure you don't leave any rubbish behind.
If you take these suggestions into account when you hire a houseboat in Alsace for the first time, you're sure to have a memorable experience.
When you hire a houseboat in Alsace, you'll certainly have to pass through some locks. Passing through locks in Alsace is a crucial stage in navigation. Here's how it generally works:
- Prepare the crew: Explain the safety instructions to the children, assign roles to each adult (helmsman, moorings, etc.), and make sure everyone is safe.
- Inform the lock-keeper: Depending on the type of lock (with lock-keeper, without lock-keeper, automatic), inform the lock-keeper of your intention to pass.
- Enter slowly: Enter the lock slowly to avoid damaging the boat.
- Position yourself well: Leave space for other boats in the lock. If you are alone, position yourself in the middle.
- Tie up in the lock without tying a knot: Tie up the boat to the lock bollards at the bow and stern without tying a knot.
- Watch out for eddies: Be aware of eddies when filling or emptying the lock, especially near the gates, to ensure everyone's safety.
- Let go of the mooring line with a firm hold: Hold the boat firmly using the mooring lines when going up or down the lock, without tying a knot in the cleat.
- Avoid putting your hands or feet directly on the mooring lines or cleat. Use equipment such as pike poles to handle the mooring lines.
- Wait until the gates are wide open: Do not leave the lock until the gates are fully open to avoid potential problems.
Lock staff are usually on hand to assist boaters and ensure safe passage. It is important to respect the rules of priority and to follow the staff's instructions carefully if necessary.
The ideal time to rent a houseboat in Alsace depends on a number of criteria, not least your personal tastes. Here are a few things to bear in mind:
- High tourist season: In Alsace, the high tourist season runs from the end of June to the end of August. During this period, you can hire a houseboat because it's a time of pleasant temperatures and school holidays. It should be noted, however, that the canals may be busier.
- Low season: For lower prices and a more peaceful atmosphere, it can be advantageous to hire a houseboat in Alsace outside the high season, such as spring or autumn. The magnificent autumn colours offer stunning views.
- Local events: To make your houseboat hire in Alsace more interesting, it's a good idea to find out about local events such as festivals and markets. Most of these events take place during the tourist season.
- Weather: It is advisable to consider weather conditions and temperatures when planning a trip. The months of May and September are suitable as they offer stable weather, low tourist numbers and pleasant temperatures.
In Alsace, there are many popular routes for houseboat cruises. If you're thinking of hiring a houseboat in the Alsace region, here are some of the most popular sailing areas:
- Canal de la Marne au Rhin: Houseboat cruising on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin is fairly easy, ideal for a first cruise. It's the perfect cruise for beginners or experienced boaters who want to pass through locks, navigate through impressive landscapes and discover typical villages, such as Strasbourg.
- The Canal de la Sarre: Take a houseboat cruise along the 64 km between the Etang du Stock and the town of Sarreguemines. You'll come across 27 automatic locks, triggered by remote control, making your cruise even easier.
- Return itineraries: You can also choose to hire a houseboat in Alsace for a return trip. You can choose to return to your point of departure, giving you a more complete experience of the region.
To plan your houseboat charter in Alsace, take a look at our detailed itineraries on our website.
By car: To get to your houseboat hire location in Alsace, you can take the motorway. You can then park your car close to the departure point or reserve a parking space.
Train: Trains are considered to be a comfortable and environmentally-friendly way of getting to your destination. The rail network is particularly well developed in certain regions of France, such as Alsace.
Plane: If you're in a hurry and want to save time getting to your houseboat rental in Alsace, flying may be a good idea. Choose the airport closest to your destination and then either hire a car or use public transport to reach your destination.
Travelling with CrisBoat
Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5
Cris Boat Blog
1 day in Strasbourg during your Alsace river cruise
Discover our itinerary for a river cruise in Alsace
Take advantage of a river cruise in Alsace to discover the exceptional Plan Incliné d'Arzviller!
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"Great."