Boating Holidays in France Alsace – the Grand Est region of France is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts with excellent walking and cycling routes and breathtaking mountain backdrops. This is an excellent wine producing area with many vineyards worth visiting.

Sixto Green Eco Boat 

In the Estivale Range is 100% electric and the first boat available for holiday hire in France & Europe. These boats are available from the Saverne base in Alsace. They use lithium-ion powered batteries meaning zero emissions, minimal pollution and are very environmentally friendly. Their engine is silent so that you can enjoy the sound of the flowing water lapping the hull, the wind in the trees and the song of the many birds along the way. A perfect way to enjoy your boating holiday and minimise your carbon footprint.

VNF (Voies Navigables de France), the country’s river authority have installed fast charging points every 11km. They are located in town marinas and rural mooring areas to give you the choice of where to stop. A full charge only takes 2 hours and can last 6 to 8 hours of cruising or a day to a day and a half. The easy to use touch screen operated self service stations have instructions in English and the Sixto Green boats are given priority in the moorings that are reserved for electric boats. Most of the recharging station also provide water so that you can fill your tank during the charge.

A bustling little town packed with interesting things to see and do. Its strategic position at the base of the Lower Rhine valley made it a perfect location for trading dating back to the Roman empire who fortified the town against Barbarian invasions.

Cruise East to Strasbourg, Capital of the Alsace region. Discover the old town with cobbled streets lined with timber houses whose skyline is dominated by the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral – the tallest church in France with magnificent stained glass windows dating back to the 12th century.

Heading West and use the Arzviller boat lift. This lift raises boats 45 meters in 20 minutes and can replace 17 locks, saving you whole day’s travelling. Continue through the Niderviller tunnels leading to the green pastures of Lorraine, travelling through lakes and forests.

At Gondrexange, the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre leads you through the beautiful Lorraine Regional Park that borders Germany. Cruising further west will take you to the city of Nancy where we recommend a visit of Place Stanislas. This UNESCO World Heritage site is considered one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe and a perfect example of classical french architecture.

The Alsatian character of the small town of Harskirchen, sitting on the Canal de la Sarre, is typical of the region and a great place to visit before you start your cruise.

Heading north towards the town of Sarreguemines, famous for its pottery and Saarbrucken will weave you in and out of the German border.

Southbound will take you past Mittersheim and the many ponds created in the middle ages by monks for fish farming that are now used to supply water for the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre where you will find beaches offering swimming areas and watersports, you can also fish or cycle on the towpath.

Travelling west to Nancy on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin then north on the Moselle river. This route will take you through the city of Metz with it eclectic mix of old and award winning contemporary architecture, fantastic shopping streets, lively town centre and delicious eateries.