Boat Hire Alsace

Between the Alsace plain and the Lorraine plateau, the canals of eastern France are the perfect playground for a first taste of licence-free canal boat hire. You cross the northern Vosges thanks to some truly extraordinary feats of engineering, glide past forests, lakes and flower-filled villages, and sometimes end your cruise at the foot of Strasbourg Cathedral. No wonder it ranks among the most beautiful river cruises in Europe.

Which canal boat should you hire in Alsace and Lorraine?

Every hire boat in the region can be skippered without a licence, so your choice mainly comes down to the size of your crew and the level of comfort you're after:

• 1-cabin boats (8 to 10.5 metres): compact and easy to handle, they're ideal for a couple, perhaps with one or two children sleeping in the saloon.
• 2 to 3-cabin boats (10 to 12.5 metres): the most popular choice for a family holiday or a trip with friends, often with two shower rooms and an outside deck to take in the scenery.
• Large 4 to 6-cabin boats (12.5 to 15 metres): up to 12 berths for big groups or several families travelling together. The latest models feature a flybridge with an outdoor helm and a generous living area.

Two features make all the difference for beginners: a bow thruster, which makes manoeuvring into locks and harbours much easier, and heating, which is very welcome if you're cruising in April or October.

Ways to explore eastern France by canal boat

Depending on how you like to travel, there are several options:

• Licence-free canal boat hire: you're the captain! You'll be given a handover and briefing at the base on departure day, then you cruise at your own pace, choosing each evening where to moor up, on the canal bank or in a small harbour.
• Cabin cruise on a hotel barge: book a cabin on a crewed hotel barge between Strasbourg and Lorraine. Meals, excursions and navigation are all taken care of, so all you have to do is relax.

How much does canal boat hire in Alsace cost?

The table below shows median starting prices for a one-week hire, by number of cabins. They apply to the best-value periods (spring and autumn): expect higher prices in July and August, and around the French bank holiday weekends in May.

Source: Filovent - Official data, median prices of the canal boats available in Alsace and Lorraine in October 2026.

The price includes: hire of the boat, the handover briefing on departure, gas, bed linen and kitchen equipment on board.

The price does not include: fuel (charged per engine hour, with around 25 hours of cruising in a week), the security deposit, the cleaning fee or cleaning deposit, extras (bikes, towels, pets on board, etc.), provisions and insurance.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance: it covers everyone in your party, whereas an individual policy or the cover provided by your credit card only protects the cardholder. Damage waiver insurance is also advisable: brushing against a lock wall is easily done when you're new to it, and this cover significantly reduces the amount withheld from your deposit if there is any damage.

Where to cruise by canal boat in Alsace and Lorraine

The hire bases are spread across several waterways, each with its own character:

• The Marne-Rhine Canal, between Lorraine and Alsace. This is the region's signature route, with departures from Lagarde, Hesse, Niderviller or Lutzelbourg. You'll cross the northern Vosges through the Niderviller and Arzviller tunnels, then ride the famous Saint-Louis-Arzviller boat lift before heading down the Zorn valley to Saverne and its Château des Rohan.
• The Alsace plain to Strasbourg. From Saverne, Hochfelden or Waltenheim-sur-Zorn, the canal runs through fields and half-timbered villages right up to the edge of Strasbourg, where you can moor up to explore the Petite France quarter and the cathedral.
• The Saar Canal and Lorraine's lake country. Departing from Harskirchen or Languimberg, this wilder area is a favourite with nature lovers: the great lakes of Lorraine around Gondrexange, forests and abundant wildlife. The canal then heads north towards Sarreguemines and the German border.
• South of Strasbourg and the Moselle. Boofzheim, on the Rhône-Rhine Canal, lets you cruise towards Colmar, while Sierck-les-Bains, on the Moselle, opens onto the Moselle vineyards, just a stone's throw from Luxembourg and Germany.

Further south, the Vosges Canal continues the adventure through forests and spa towns.

When to go canal boating in Alsace

Hire bases are generally open from late March to early November. The semi-continental climate brings warm, sometimes stormy summers and cooler but often bright shoulder seasons. May, June and September are the ideal months to enjoy pleasant temperatures, quieter canals and lower prices. If you're after sunshine later in the season, a Rhône river cruise lets you enjoy the mild Provençal climate well into the autumn.

Here are the average temperatures recorded in Strasbourg in recent years:

Cruising conditions on the canals of eastern France

Cruising on a canal is nothing like being at sea: no swell, no tides and a speed limit that is usually 6 km/h (just under 4 mph). You'll cover a few dozen kilometres a day at a gentle pace, with plenty of time to stop for a bike ride or a visit.

Your route is punctuated by locks, most of which are automated on the Marne-Rhine Canal: you activate them with a pole or a remote control handed to you at the start. The crew steps ashore to secure the boat, the helmsman keeps it straight, and that's it. Some are spectacular, such as the lock at Réchicourt-le-Château, one of the deepest in France with a 16-metre drop.

The highlight of the trip, though, is the Saint-Louis-Arzviller boat lift. Opened in 1969, this transverse inclined plane, unique in Europe, replaced a flight of 17 locks and carries your boat, afloat in a water-filled tank, up or down 44 metres in just a few minutes. Right next to it, the Arzviller tunnel stretches for more than 2.3 km beneath the forest.

Cruising is permitted in daylight only, during lock opening hours set by Voies navigables de France, the French waterways authority. Licence-free hire boats are not allowed on the Rhine, which is reserved for commercial shipping and licensed boaters: they stay on the canal network. To discover the great river itself, opt instead for a Rhine river cruise aboard a crewed vessel.

Documents needed to hire a canal boat in Alsace

No boating licence is required. After the handover briefing at the base, the hire company issues you with a temporary cruising permit, valid for the duration of your hire. The skipper must be at least 18 and show a valid passport (or national identity card for EU citizens). A security deposit is taken on departure as a pre-authorisation or payment on your credit card.

Useful information for your canal boat hire in Alsace

How long should you allow for a cruise?

A week gives you time for a lovely return trip from the Hesse or Lagarde area, including the boat lift and a stop in Saverne. Depending on the base, a one-way trip to Strasbourg is also possible in a week. For a first taste, a weekend or a short break (4 to 5 nights) is enough to get hooked on river cruising in France.

Can you do a one-way trip?

Yes, some bases offer one-way trips, with a supplement to cover returning the boat. Your adviser will let you know which combinations are available for your dates.

Can you bring bikes or a pet?

Bike hire is available as an option at most bases, and the towpaths are perfect for rides. Pets are often welcome, usually for a supplement: just mention it when you make your enquiry. A river cruise with your dog is easy to arrange, as the frequent stops and towpaths make for lovely walks.

How do you get to the hire bases?

From London, the Eurostar takes you to Paris, from where Strasbourg is less than two hours away by TGV high-speed train, and Saverne and Sarrebourg stations serve the Marne-Rhine Canal bases. If you prefer to fly, Strasbourg-Entzheim is the nearest airport, while Luxembourg airport is handy for Sierck-les-Bains. Parking is generally available at the bases if you're driving.

Can you cruise into Germany?

The Saar Canal and the Moselle lead to the German border, and some bases allow you to cross it. Conditions vary from boat to boat: your adviser will confirm which areas are permitted.

How do I book my canal boat in Alsace?

Once we've received your enquiry, an adviser specialising in inland waterways will call you to discuss your plans: number of people, departure base and preferred route. They will then email you a selection of boats. Once you've made your choice, paying a deposit from your customer account confirms the booking.