Classic France River Cruise – Alsace & Lorraine

Description

Alsace & Lorraine is a popular destination, bringing visitors from all around the world. Its close proximity to Germany has made it a unique corner of France, combining the cultures of the two countries for a truly unforgettable experience. With its stunning selection of white wine, variety of historic castles, and Christmas markets to enjoy, it is a must-visit.
The architecture of the area includes Baroque, Gothic, and Romanesque inspirations from its rich history. Throughout the years, the area has acted as a strategic and military crossroads, where the greatest empires of Europe confronted one another. You can explore this history on a river cruise, exploring the various tunnels by candlelight.
The scenery here is some of the most beautiful in France, with canalside villages of half-timbered houses and winding waterways taking you through steep-sided forested valleys. It boasts watercolour vineyards and hilltop castles, taking you to the land of living fairytales.
Alsace & Lorraine Cruise Highlights
When you explore Alsace by canal on our luxury barge, you’ll see it in a whole new way. These beautiful waterways take you through the heart of the region, with stops at the most incredible towns and villages along the way. The unique culture of the area makes it a must-visit destination, and you’ll find two different types of journeys you can take.
The first is on the classic cruise through Alsace & Lorraine. This cruise starts in Strasbourg, with a champagne welcome. A morning cruise across the Gran Ried wetlands. Strasbourg is considered by many to be the “capital city of Europe”, with a stunning 12th Century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral featuring an astronomical Renaissance clock and a soaring spire.
Wine tasting is on the menu on this cruise, with a stop at the rolling Vosges hills on the Route des Grand Vins. You’ll enjoy a private tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at winemakers such as Domaine Pfister. There is an optional trip to the last privately-owned brewery in Alsace, the Meteor Brewery, or you can visit Saverne, with a history dating back more than 2,000 years.
A visit to the town of La Petite Pierre gives you the chance to discover the René Lalique collection. The region’s most famous artisan is a great introduction to the art, as you’ll visit more artisan glassblowers on your journey. This Alsace & Lorraine river cruise gives you the chance to learn more about the region, meet the locals, and dive into the culture.
A return visit to Strasbourg gives you the chance to explore thirteen Christmas markets throughout the historic centre, with a visit to the Musée du Chocolat and workshop to experience the sweet treats being made. The gift shop is perfect for buying gourmet seasonal creations for your loved ones.
Your journey through the region will culminate with a trip on the Arzviller boat elevator, before you take a candlelit cruise through the Arzviller tunnels. A walking tour through Sarrebourg with time for some final Christmas shopping will round off your journey perfectly. Whether you want to visit in the summer or the winter, you’ll find that an Alsace & Lorraine river cruise offers everything you could hope for.

Trip Name

Classic France River Cruise – Alsace & Lorraine

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Hotel Barge Length: 129 feet Passenger Capacity: 8 La Nouvelle Etoile has been designed to offer a very high level of comfort and convenience, to provide a blend of traditional elegance and modern-day facilities. The spacious, air conditioned saloon with its attractive cocktail bar, piano and elegant furnishings provides a truly sophisticated setting, while other amenities include an exercise room and a lift. Each of the four generous 200sq ft cabin suites is lavishly equipped and the en-suite bathrooms feature double hand-basins and oversized showers. On deck there is a large sun deck with comfortable loungers and a spa pool, as well as bicycles for you to pedal along the nearby towpath. This cruise on the luxurious La Nouvelle Etoile is a journey back in time through a picturesque landscape along two delightful canals, including France’s oldest, the Canal de Briare. She also cruises in Alsace, Champagne, Holland, Belgium, Picardy, Germany and Luxembourg in Spring and Autumn.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday, Day 1 Krafft

Guests are met in Strasbourg and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache for a champagne welcome and the first opportunity to meet your crew. Perhaps there is time for a walk or cycle ride before dinner on board.

Day 2 - Monday, Day 2 Krafft to Strasbourg

Our day starts with a morning cruise, across the Gran Ried wetlands and home to an abundance of birdlife, to arrive at the historic city of Strasbourg. Later, we enjoy a tour of the beautiful ‘capital city of Europe’ including, of course, a visit to the 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and soaring spire. We visit Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafés. Dinner on board.

Day 3 - Tuesday, Day 3 Strasbourg to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn

After breakfast, our cruise takes us past the impressive European Parliament building on the outskirts of Strasbourg and on through the Brumath Forest to our picturesque mooring at Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive into the rolling Vosges hills on Route des Vins d’Alsace, where the finest wines of Alsace are produced, and a private tasting of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines at a long-established family-owned winemaker, Domaine Lissner. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.

Day 4 - Wednesday, Day 4 Waltenheim-sur-Zorn to Saverne

This morning, Panache cruises further along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, to the enchanting town of Saverne where history traces back over 2,000 years to the Gallo-Roman Times, mooring at the foot of the Château de Rohan, also known as the ‘Versailles of Alsace’. We take a walking tour of the town and drive up to Château Haut-Barr to enjoy the wonderful views. Dinner on board.

Day 5 - Thursday, Day 5 Saverne to Lutzelbourg

This morning, perhaps after a visit to Saverne’s market, we enjoy a cruise to our mooring in the picture postcard village of Lutzelbourg, surrounded by hills and overlooked by the ruins of the medieval castle. In the afternoon, we visit the mountaintop town of La Petite Pierre, then tour the outstanding René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Nearby Wingen-sur-Moder is also the World War Two battleground where American infantry fought with distinction. Before dinner on board, time for aperitifs and perhaps some traditional Alsatian ‘Flammekueche’ prepared by your chef.

Day 6 - Friday, Day 6 Lutzelbourg to Niderviller

For early risers, there is an optional visit to a local bakery to watch skilled patissiers preparing their delicious creations, before we cruise through beautiful Alsatian countryside, stopping to see artisan glassblowers en route. We then ascend the unique Arzviller boat elevator that carries Panache 450 feet up the mountainside in minutes and enjoy a candlelit cruise through the two Arzviller tunnels to our final mooring at Niderviller. After lunch on board, we set off on a tour of Sarrebourg, including visits to the 13th century chapel containing Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained-glass window and the impressive museum of Roman and Medieval artefacts. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Day 7 - Saturday, Day 7 Niderviller

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg.

Day 8 - Please Note:

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Enjoy an unforgettable summer in Alsace & Lorraine, starting in Strasbourg
Explore the area all year round on the ultra-deluxe 8-passenger La Nouvelle Etoile, which spends four weeks a year cruising this unique region