Hesse Boofzheim 7 Night Itinerary Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure. Gold Trusted Service Award Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience. Rosette With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water. Boat We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people. Life buoy That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.

7nt Hesse to Boofzheim ONEWAY

7nt Hesse to Boofzheim ONEWAY map
7 nights | 105.80 KMs | 46 locks | Approx. 24 hrs 26 mins of cruising

This suggested itinerary ticks off three of the ‘must-do’ highlights of this region: the impressive boat lift at Arzviller, the magnificant Château des Rohan in Saverne and the bustling UNESCO city of Strasbourg – home to the European Parliament and the famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame. In between, you’ll visit the Meteor Brewery, watch hand-blown crystal being made and drink in the stunning scenery of this region as you cruise.
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Suggested Iternerary

Arrive at base

2pm – 5pm

After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.

Sarregbourg village
Sarre River, Sarregbourg

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. 

Le Relais des Gites, Sarrebourg
Le Relais des Gites, Sarrebourg

Dinner at Le Relais des Gites, Sarrebourg

7:30pm – 9:30pm

A 7 minute drive from the Le Boat base, this restaurant serves delicious French and Swiss cuisine. Dine outisde on their shady deck and toast the start of your vacation. +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.

Overnight in Hesse

Breakfast on board

8am – 9am

Hesse > Arzviller map

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 meters long and the second is 2306m meters 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.

Alsace, Arzviller boat lift
Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane

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.

La Brasserie des Eclusiers, Arzviller
La Brasserie des Eclusiers, Arzviller

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

Cristal Lehrer, Arzviller
Cristal Lehrer, Arzviller

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

Arzviller > Lutzelbourg

4:30pm – 6pm

Approx. 1hr 30mins | 4 locks

Du Panier A La Table, Lutzelbourg
Du Panier A La Table, Lutzelbourg

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

Overnight in Lutzelbourg

For families with younger children

Families

Arzviller boat lift: On the road from the top to the bottom of the lift, kids (and big kids) can whoosh through the trees on the 500m luge track. The luge track is open from April to September. Info & prices : luge-plan-incline.com

Breakfast on board

There is a fantastic bakery in Lutzelbourg called Fournil des éclusiers which we highly recommend you visit for your breakfast provisions. It is open early most days although, unfortunately, it is closed on Mondays!

Lutzelbourg > Saverne map

Lutzelbourg > Saverne

9am – 12:15pm

Approx. 3hrs 15mins | 10 locks

Saverne, Rohan Castle
Château des Rohan, Saverne

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. 

Saverne Rose garden
Saverne Rose garden

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.

Taverne Katz, Saverne
Taverne Katz, Saverne

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

Overnight in Saverne

Breakfast on board

7:30am – 8:30am

Saverne > Hochfelden map

Saverne > Hochfelden

8:30am – 12:45pm

Approx. 4hrs 15mins | 10 locks

Lunch on board, Hochfelden

1pm – 2pm

Meteor Brewery, Hochfelden
Meteor Brewery, Hochfelden

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.

Hochfelden stammtisch meteor
Pot au Feu

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

Overnight in Hochfelden

Breakfast on board

8am – 9am

Hochfelden > Vendenheim map

Hochfelden > Vendenheim

9am – 12:30pm

Approx. 3hrs 30mins | 7 locks

Flammekueche at Flams, Vendenheim
Flammekueche at Flams, Vendenheim

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 center 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 map

Vendenheim > Strasbourg

2pm – 4:45pm

Approx. 2hrs 45mins | 5 locks

Strasbourg, Petite france
Petite France, Strasbourg

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.

La Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg
Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg

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

Overnight in Strasbourg

Breakfast on board

8am – 9am

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

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. 

Wrap du Artisan, Strasbourg
L'Artisan du Wrap, Strasbourg

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 flavor. Yum! artisanduwrap.com

Strasbourg Parliament
European Parliament, Strasbourg

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.

Mappa dell'itinerario da Strasburgo a Plobsheim

Strasbourg > Plobsheim

3pm – 6pm

Approx. 3hrs | 5 locks

Flambée, Alsace
Flammenkueche

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

Overnight in Plobsheim

Breakfast on board

8am – 9am

Mappa dell'itinerario da Plobsheim a Boofzheim


Plobsheim > Boofzheim

9:30am – 12:30pm

Approx. 3hrs | 5 locks

Lunch at Auberge de la Treille, Boofzheim

12:30pm – 2pm

We recommend Auberge de la Treille, a family-run restaurant with outstanding quality French cuisine. +33 (0)3 88 74 60 44

Explore Boofzheim

2pm – 6:30pm

Enjoy the bustling town of Boofzheim with its shops, restaurants and many other activities. Situated in the heart of the “Ried” (vast wetlands) and 1.4km away from the Le Boat base, you will see many timbered houses from the 17th and 18th century, as well as the 13th century St-Etienne church.

Au Vieux Couvent, Boofzheim
Au Vieux Couvent, Boofzheim

Dinner at Au Vieux Couvent, Boofzheim

7:30pm – 9:30pm

End your vacation 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 neighboring village of Rhinau. You won’t be disappointed – make sure you book: +33 3 88 74 61 15 | auvieuxcouvent.fr

Overnight in Boofzheim

For families with younger children

Families

Boofzheim: During the summer, you can enjoy the water activities at “Europapark”. This famous German leisure park is only 13km away – ask the Le Boat base team how to get there. You may decide to leave Strasbourg earlier so you can spend a full day there.

Breakfast on board

7:30am – 8:30am

Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout)

Depart Boofzheim

9am

10 night alternative

With an extra three nights on board, you’ll have time to cruise west of Hesse before turning around a heading east towards Boofzheim. Gonderxange is 1.5 hours away from the base. Created in the middle-ages, the lake is ideal for swimming, water sports and fishing for pike-perch, pike and carp (you’ll need to obtain a fishing license online on the following website: cartedepeche.fr). From the moorings, head to “Les Mouettes” campsite, which has access to the beach and from where you can rent windsurf boards and canoes. 

After Gonderxange, you can continue on to Lagarde. This typical Lorraine village is part of the “Parc Naturel Régional de Lorraine” from where you can explore the beautiful surroundings. Then, head back to Hesse and start your cruise towards Boofzheim. 

This itinerary is a suggestion only

This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.

We’d love to hear from you

We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com

Image credits

Sarrebourg: JuJu939, via Wikimedia Commons | Arzviller Boat lift: Moselle Attractivité | Saverne, Château des Rohan: Office de Tourisme du Pays de Saverne | Saverne, Roses: Office de Tourisme du Pays de Saverne | Strasbourg, Notre-Dame: Takashi Images/Shutterstock | Strasbourg, Parlement: Shutterstock |  Plobsheim, Au Boeuf: ART GE Creutz.