France Barge and Bike Tour
From Strasbourg to Lagarde, embark on an authentic and traditional cruise in the heart of Alsace and Moselle. You will cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal where you will discover a colorful heritage and monuments that reflect its history through exciting tours. Explore the Hops Trail, the Haut Barr and Lutzelbourg castles or the Chagall trail and be astonished by the richness of this captivating cruise. Enjoy cycling quiet rural roads of France through rolling countryside.
*E-bikes: Contact our office for more information.
*If you want more miles, some days offer the option for longer rides.
Itinerary
Day 01
Board the Barge in Strasbourg
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Meals
– Dinner
You’ll board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We’ll enjoy dinner on board and present your CroisiBike program for this cruise. Later on, join us for a boat tour of Old Strasbourg.
Day 02
Strasbourg to Waltenheim-Sur-Zorn
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Distance
19 miles (30 km)
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Ill River, so sit back and take in the breathtaking scenery as we go. This afternoon, we set off on a bike tour of the Alsatian plains, leaving from the tiny village of Waltenheim-sur-Zorn, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the kitschy “Hansel and Gretel” house, complete with a giant fresco painted by a local artist. The first stop will be Wingersheim to see its small church, an old synagogue that has been converted into a loft, and the infamous Alsatian hops footpath. We’ll then head to the small town of Gingsheim to admire the stunning stained-glass windows in the parish church. Our final destination will be Duntzenheim and its typical homes and farms, as well as its 19th-century Lutheran church. The church bells ring twelve times at 11:00, perpetuating a local legend you’ll hear about during your visit to this surprising village. We’ll then return to the ship in Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. This evening we’ll enjoy a tarte flambée, a local specialty, at a restaurant in Waltenheim.
Day 03
Waltenheim -Sur-Zorn to Saverne
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Distance
28 miles (45 km)
Relax during the morning cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal. In the afternoon, jump on your bike to discover the surroundings, which contains some of the most amazing architectural heritage in the area. You’ll come across the magnificent harbor, the majestic Rohan Castle, and fabulous traditional homes worth a detour. We’ll then bike to La Petite-Pierre to look for some of its hidden treasures, including a 17th-century castle, the “Pagan House,” and the shared village church that holds Catholic and Protestant services. Our next stop will be Neuwiller-lès-Saverne, a typical village in the area, located at the picturesque foot of the Vosges Mountains. Tucked in between the prairies and forests, the small town boasts some remarkable traditional homes and an impressive abbey with several diverse styles of architecture. After our tour, we’ll return on board in Saverne. Join us for an evening of entertainment.
Day 04
Saverne to Lutzelbourg
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Distance
19 miles (35 km)
This morning, we’ll once again set off to discover more of the Saverne area. Known as the “City of Roses,” this large town attracts both nature lovers and people who adore old architecture. We’ll take a step back in time during a tour of the Château de Hohbarr. Built on a 1,509-foot sandstone cliff, it is commonly known as “The Eyes of Alsace” due to its strategic position throughout the centuries. Spend some time on your own exploring the ruins and discovering their history. At the end of our bike trip this morning, we’ll return on board and continue cruising towards Lutzelbourg, where we’ll spend the end of the afternoon visiting its religious monuments and castle ruins. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing.
Day 05
Lutzelbourg to Xouaxange via Arzviller Inclined Plane
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Distance
22 miles (35 km)
We’ll spend the morning cruising the canal to the Arzviller inclined plane (the only one in Europe), where boats are hoisted along the cliff before reaching Xouaxange. The afternoon ride will begin in Niderviller, mostly known for its local pottery, which has been manufacturing since 1735. We’ll get a look at the village church, the local château, and an old mill. We’ll then head to Hartzviller to have a quick look at its quaint church and take in the town which has relied on the canal and the land for its livelihood for centuries. At the end of our afternoon, we’ll return to our ship in Xouaxange for an evening of entertainment.
Day 06
Xouaxange to Lagarde
Lodging
MS Madeleine
Distance
28 miles (45 km)
We’ll spend the morning cruising to Lagarde. This afternoon’s ride will take us through some of the most picturesque villages in the region. These include Hénaménil, Crion and Laneuveville-aux-Bois. If your legs can take you there, Lunéville has magnificent architecture and gardens awaiting you. At the end of our afternoon, we’ll return on board the ship in Lagarde. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
Day 07
Lagarde to Strasbourg
Meals
– Breakfast
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Transfer by coach back to Strasbourg SNCF train station (arrival approximately 10:30 am).
