Madeleine
Alsace itinerary
Strasbourg to Lagarde
Strasbourg to Lagarde
Much appreciated by river tourism, this section of the canal, also called the Green Route, flows through the plains of Alsace and the Vosges. It forms the link between Strasbourg and Saverne and is the gateway to Alsace at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. Its route takes it through a wooden massif as far as Lutzelbourg in the Moselle. Its spectacularcourse, which can be seen in many works of art and paintings, follows the inclined plain at Arzviller – unique in Europe – where boats are hoisted up a cliff before they reach Xouaxange – a pleasant commune in the Moselle.
DAY 1: STRASBOURG
Transfer by coach from Strasbourg to Port de Houillon. Boarding the Madeleine commences late afternoon. We are welcomed on board and introduced to the crew before we have dinner on board. Overnight stop.
DAY 2: STRASBOURG to WALTENHEIM
Morning journey to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. Buffet breakfast and lunch on board. We cross the Zorn Valley and its landscaped fields - where the canal is wide and straight—and Brumath Forest before reaching Waltenheim-sur-Zorn around 3:00 pm. In the afternoon, we suggest exploring the hops footpath in Wingersheim. Alsace offers an attractive and unusual landscape. A province of wine-growing and beer-brewing, gain a new perspective on the region through learning about growing hops. Enjoy a pleasurable walk through the hop fields followed by beer tasting. Back on board for dinner. Overnight stay in Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. Optional dinner: tarte flambée, local specialty, at a restaurant in Waltenheim.
DAY 3: WALTENHEIM - SAVERNE
Buffet breakfast and lunch on board. Morning cruise from Waltenheim to Saverne. Bucolic journey that transports you to Saverne. We will pass by the towns of Schwindratzheim—nestled on a hillside - and Hochfelden, a typical village. In the morning, you can stroll on the trails or bike on the paved trails along the canal. Arrival at Saverne in the afternoon. The boat will be moored in front of Rohan Castle. Free time in Saverne. Visit to Château de Hohbarr, nicknamed "The Eye of Alsace." Splendid view of the Alsatian plains. On the way back, we pass by the Chappe Tower, an ancient telegraph, where there is an interactive display on the ancestry of all means of telecommunication. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Saverne.
DAY 4: SAVERNE - LUTZELBOURG
Buffet breakfast on board. In the morning, a guided tour of Saverne. Virtually unknown from the usual tourist routes, Saverne offers a wide range of places to discover. The Grand Rue with its unicorn fountain (the symbol of the city); the Katz house, adorned with magnificent carved timbers; Notre Dame Church with its 12th-century steeple; various 18th-century administrative buildings; or the Récollets Monastery founded in the 14th century. Back on board for lunch. Afternoon voyage to Lutzelbourg. The canal winds through the Vosges Mountains before joining the Lorraine region. Arrive late afternoon at Lutzelbourg, which deserves its reputation as the most beautiful village on the French canal banks. Walk to Lutzelbourg Castle. Perched at over 300 m above sea level on a rocky, red sandstone spur, the ruins of the castle majestically dominate the village down in the Zorn Valley. Back on board for dinner. Overnight stay in Lutzelbourg.
DAY 5: LUTZELBOURG - Inclined Plain at Arzviller - XOUAXANGE
Buffet breakfast on board. Cast off for the Arzviller inclined plane. Stop at the crystal glassworks near the inclined plane. Located at the foot of the incline for over 25 years, the glassworks is a family-run business specialising in the art of cutting crystal. Encounter this old-time tradition and watch crystal blowing and cutting demonstrations. Return aboard. Passage through the Artzviller inclined plane - a fascinating experience. A fabulous structure, this transverse system boat "elevator" is one-of-a-kind in Europe. The inclined plane replaces 17 successive locks over 4 km that once needed a full day to navigate. The structure consists of a caisson (41.5 m x 5.5 m) which is lifted or lowered on an over 41% incline. A 44 m altitude difference is reached in only 4 minutes. Candlelight lunch while passing through the Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels. Continue on to Xouaxange and arrive in the evening. Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Xouaxange
DAY 6: XOUAXANGE - LAGARDE
After buffet breakfast, cruise through Xouaxange to Lagarde. We go through Réchicourt lock, one of the largest in France. We then journey through the lakes. Lunch on board. This afternoon we have a visit to Sarrebourg that will take us on Chagall trail. Located at the foot of the Vosges and the region of Alsace, the city is rich with diversity. Its historical and cultural heritage is full of unexpected treasures, such as Marc Chagall's unique stained-glass window—a virtual hymn to peace. Free time. Before returning to the boat, we stop at the Mephisto factory.
Gala Dinner on board. Overnight stay in Lagarde.
DAY 7: LAGARDE - STRASBOURG
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembarking at 9:00 am. Transfer by coach from Lagarde to Strasbourg. Arrive by late morning. End of our journey.
STRASBOURG(1) - LAGARDE - XOUAXANGE - LUTZELBOURG - SAVERNE - WALTENHEIM - STRASBOURG
DAY 1: STRASBOURG(1) - LAGARDE
Possible transfer(1) by coach from Strasbourg to Lagarde. Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.
DAY 2: LAGARDE - XOUAXANGE
We'll spend the day cruising towards Xouaxange.
DAY 3: XOUAXANGE - LUTZELBOURG - ARZVILLER INCLINED PLANE
In the morning, follow Chagall's Way in Saarburg. We'll cruise to Lutzelbourg. Candlelight lunch while passing through the tunnels.
This afternoon, travel the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane. Stopover at the Lehrer Crystal Glassworks. We'll continue on to Lutzelbourg and arrive in the evening.
DAY 4: LUTZELBOURG - SAVERNE
We’ll walk to the Château de Lutzelbourg. The ship will cruise to Saverne and arrive at the beginning of the afternoon. We’ll visit the Château de Hohbarr, also known as the “Eye of Alsace.” Afterward, we'll return to Saverne for a guided tour of the city. At the end of our afternoon, we'll return on board the ship. Dinner will be tarte flambée, a local specialty, at a restaurant (included with cruise).
DAY 5: SAVERNE - WALTENHEIM
We’ll spend the morning cruising to Hochefelden. In the afternoon, join us for an excursion to the lush region of Kochersberg and a visit to the Maison du Kochersberg museum and the Villa Meteor. At the end of our day, we'll return on board the ship in Waltenheim-sur-Zorn.
DAY 6: WALTENHEIM - STRASBOURG
We’ll spend the morning cruising to Strasbourg. Enjoy a tour-boat ride through the oldest section of the city in the afternoon. After our excursion, we'll return on board the ship. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
DAY 7: STRASBOURG
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
2024 RATES
DATES |
SHIP |
ITINERARY |
PER PERSON RATE DOUBLE |
SINGLERATE |
2024 DATES |
||||
July 17, 31; August 14, 28
|
Lagard to Strasbourg |
$3311 |
$4542 |
|
Apr 3; Aug 21
|
Strasbourg to Lagard |
$3311 |
$4542 |
Rate includes: 6 night cruise, all meals, wine with meals, drinks from the bar and excurisons. Bicycles available for cycling.
