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The Lorraine navigates in Alsace, a very attractive region. A journey through Alsace -
perhaps the most picturesque province in France - is a voyage of endless discoveries - of
art and
architecture,
gourmet food and
wine, history and heritage.
Cruise Highlights:
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Sarrebourg: chapel with stained-glass window by Chagall
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Saverne: red sandstone palace - picturesque houses
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Strasbourg: great cathedral - Petite France district
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Colmar: fairy-tale town - Little "Venice" district
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Wine Tasting: wonderful Alsace rieslings and pinots
Itinerary - Krafft to Xouaxange:
Canal de la Marne au Rhin – Canal du Rhone au Rhin
SATURDAY
KRAFFT
Meet at the Strasbourg rail station, or for those who have
chosen our transfer option at the rail station ("Gare de
l'Est" at 13.30pm, Place du 11 Novembre 1918 under the
awning where the statue of Strasbourg is). TGV train transfer to
the boat moored in the village of Krafft, some 25k to the
south of Strasbourg, close to the junction of the canal with
the river Rhine. The crew will welcome you aboard with
aperitifs as the luggage is taken to the cabins. Dinner will
be served at 7.30pm.
SUNDAY
KRAFFT – STRASBOURG
Morning cruise during breakfast on the Canal du Rhone au
Rhin, a peaceful waterway that has seen little use since the
building of the Grand Canal d’Alsace (the canalization of
the Rhine) in the 1950s. Mid morning we leave the boat at a
lock by bus to visit Colmar (guided tour of the city
centre), with its magnificent medieval and Renaissance
buildings, 13thC collegiate church and waterside ‘Little
Venice’ area. Lunch in a local restaurant and free time to
explore its shops and museums, particularly the Unterlinden
museum, famous for its collection of Renaissance artworks
and specifically for the masterpiece of Mathias Grunewald,
the Issenheim altarpiece. Towards the end of the afternoon,
we shall head back northwards along the Route des Vins, a
small road running at the base of the foothills of the
Vosges, parallel to the Rhine, through the famous vineyards
of Alsace. Here we will have a private wine tasting in
Riquewihr before returning to the Lorraine, now moored in
Strasbourg.
MONDAY
STRASBOURG – HOCHFELDEN
Cast off early and cruise over breakfast to a mooring close
to the city centre. Disembark for a guided walking tour of
the principal sights of Strasbourg, including the
picturesque ‘petite France’ riverside district and the
remarkable cathedral of Notre Dame whose construction spread
over five centuries from the Romanesque choir to the
flamboyant gothic spire. Afterwards there will be time free
to explore the capital of Alsace. Perhaps visit one of the
museums, take advantage of the excellent shopping or just
stroll through the cobbled streets of timbered houses before
returning to the Lorraine for lunch. All afternoon cruise to
Hochfelden, with plenty of opportunities for walking or
cycling along the towpath.
TUESDAY
HOCHFELDEN – SAVERNE
We cast off after breakfast and cruise through the morning,
passing several typical Alsatian villages. Disembark at a
lock where a coach will take us to a local traditional
brewery, rejoining the barge for lunch. Cruise to the
attractive town of Saverne with an excellent view of the
imposing red sandstone chateau build by the Rohan family
during the 18thC.
WEDNESDAY
SAVERNE – LUTZELBOURG
This morning we cruise along the beautiful valley of the
Zorn river to Lutzelbourg. After lunch we will take a short
drive to visit a crystal workshop to see how some of the
most famous products of this area are still individually
fashioned by hand. The coach will take us to the Lutzelbourg
castle on the way back.
THURSDAY
LUTZELBOURG – XOUAXANGE
Cruise over the border into Lorraine where the canal still
follows the steep sided, tree lined valley of the river Zorn
to the famous included plan of Arzwiller. Here a ladder of
17 locks has been replaced by a counterbalanced barge lift
that hauls us up nearly 150 feet to the summit level of the
Marne to Rhine canal. We then cruise through a cutting and
two tunnels under the peak of the Vosges Mountains before
mooring for the evening at a quiet spot near the village of
Xouasange.
Afternoon drive to Sarrebourg to visit the chapel of the
Cordeliers, where we can see the stained glass window
created by Marc Chagal. We will have time for a stroll in
town before returning to the Lorraine for our farewell gala
dinner.
FRIDAY
XOUAXANGE
Leave the Lorraine after breakfast and transfer to Nancy
train station for the train at 10.28am, arriving into Paris
Gare de l’Est at 12 noon.
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Note: This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures. The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. Programmes are being constantly developed and we may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits.
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Rates 2009:
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Date |
Season |
Region |
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March
21, 28 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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April
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
High |
Lorraine |
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June
6, 13, 20, 27 |
High |
Lorraine |
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July
4 |
High |
Lorraine |
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July 11, 18, 25 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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August
1, 8, 15 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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August 22, 29 |
High |
Lorraine |
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September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
High |
Lorraine |
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October 3, 10, 17 |
High |
Lorraine |
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October 24, 31 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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November 7 |
Low |
Lorraine |
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Accommodation |
High |
Low |
| Double
Occupancy, per person |
1,900 Euros |
1,700 Euros |
| Single
supplement |
450 Euros |
450 Euros |
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Transfers net, per person |
220 Euros |
220 Euros |
| Full
Boat Charter |
38,000 Euros |
34,000 Euros |
Features:
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TV and Video in each cabin
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Rates include:
Full board from dinner the first day to breakfast the last day
Wine with meals
Excursions
Bicycles on board and transfers between barge and meeting points
Rates do not include:
Single accommodation supplement ($780 in 2006)
Crew gratuities
Balloon flight
Bar drinks
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