7nt Hesse to Boofzheim ONEWAY

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 Emerald Star 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 meters from the base.

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.

Arzviller > Lutzelbourg

4:30pm – 6pm

Approx. 1hr 30mins | 4 locks

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

Lutzelbourg > Saverne

9am – 12:15pm

Approx. 3hrs 15mins | 10 locks

Lunch on board, Saverne

12:30pm – 2pm

Moor in front of the lovely Château des Rohan and enjoy the view while having lunch on board your boat. 

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

Saverne > Hochfelden

8:30am – 12:45pm

Approx. 4hrs 15mins | 10 locks

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.

Dinner at Stammtisch Météor, Hochfelden

7:30pm – 9:30pm

We recommend dining at Stammtisch Météor, a popular local pub that boasts delicious meat and seafood dishes. Try the Pot au Feu, a traditional French dish of boiled beef and vegetables. Contact: +33 (0)3 88 01 04 48

Hochfelden > Vendenheim

9am – 12:30pm

Approx. 3hrs 30mins | 7 locks

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

Vendenheim > Strasbourg

2pm – 4:45pm

Approx. 2hrs 45mins | 5 locks

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

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.

Strasbourg > Plobsheim

3pm – 6pm

Approx. 3hrs | 5 locks

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

Plobsheim > Boofzheim

9:30am – 12:30pm

Approx. 3hrs | 5 locks

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