The Waterways of Alsace & Lorraine

• The services of a professional UK Tour Manager up to embarkation & from disembarkation of the Madeleine
• Exclusive meeting point at our dedicated Departure Office in St Pancras
• Standard Class rail travel
• 6 nights aboard the Madeleine
• 17 meals including 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
• All inclusive selection of complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks
• Exciting excursions and free time to explore

• Enjoy a candlelit lunch as we pass through the Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels.
• Visit the towering Haut- Barr Castle
• Enjoy a guided tour of Saverne
• Enjoy beer tasting in Alsace

• Night time river cruise of Strasbourg (subjet to availability)
• Guided tour of Wingersheim hops path with a beer tasting
• Guided tour of Saverne
• Guided tour of Sarrebourg
• Excursion to Haut-Barr Castle
• Visit to Lutzelbourg Castle
• A trip to the Inclined Plane at Arzviller
• Visit to the Crystal Works

Day 1: To Strasbourg and boarding The Madeleine

After meeting at our St Pancras Departure Office, board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing to Strasbourg. Here transfer by coach to the town of Lagarde, where your hotel barge, the Madeleine, awaits – home for the next seven days.

Day 2: Sarrebourg

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning as you sail down the Marne-Rhine canal towards Xouaxange. Along the way, travel through the Réchicourt lock, one of the largest in France. After lunch, we depart the boat and transfer by coach to Sarrebourg.

Day 3: The Inclined Plane

This morning is spent aboard the Madeleine with a candlelit lunch as we pass through the Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels. We make our way closer towards the remarkable Arzviller Inclined Plane. The only one of its kind in Europe, it was designed to replace over 4km of locks that used to take a whole day to navigate. It is essentially a boat lift that traverses a 41% incline in only four minutes, a unique and unforgettable experience.

Day 4: Haut-Barr Castle

Our first excursion takes us by foot to Lutzelbourg Castle today, a 12th century fortress built overlooking the Zorn Valley. This afternoon we cruise towards Saverne, enjoying a visit to the towering Haut- Barr Castle.

Day 5: Saverne

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Saverne discovering many of the sites not usually seen by tourists including the town’s main street with its unicorn fountain (Saverne’s emblem) and Katz house, adorned with beautifully decorated, half-timbered sculpturing.

Day 6: Wingersheim

Take time to relax on board this morning before we set off by coach for a tranquil walking tour of the Wingersheim hops path. Beautiful Alsace is famed for its beer production and we get the opportunity to try some at a special tasting.

Day 7: The Journey Home

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark the barge for the last time and transfer to the railway station in Strasbourg. Here we catch the train to Paris for our onward journey to London. On arrival our tour concludes.

Your Ship: MS Madeleine

The contemporary and stylish Madeleine hotel barge offers its passengers the best in modern river cruising. Purpose-built, this intimate boat allows you to discover the hidden gems of a French canal cruise as you sail right into the heart of the charming towns and historical cities on this tour. You will receive a first-class service from the dedicated on board crew who are on hand to help wherever possible.