About this trip.
Before you book: Canal du Midi vs UK narrowboating — same week, different country, very different holiday · How we vet operators — and the questions you should ask any small-group operator yourself
Two canals meet in Alsace-Lorraine: the Canal de la Marne au Rhin and the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre. Together they form an L-shape, running from Saarbrücken in Germany south down the Saar Valley, then east to Strasbourg in France. Along the way there are lake resorts, village cafés and towering castles. At the end of the line is Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage city with plenty of architecture, shopping and dining.
Two canals, two countries
The Marne au Rhin runs 314 kilometres (195 miles) from Vitry-le-François to Strasbourg. On the way it passes through the Arzviller transversal inclined plane, completed in 1968. The inclined plane replaced 17 locks and lifts boats 45 metres (147 feet). The Canal des Houillères de la Sarre dates from 1860 and runs 64 kilometres (about 40 miles) from Saarbrücken to the Marne au Rhin.
Work on the Marne au Rhin began in 1838 and finished in 1855. It was built to link Paris with Alsace and Germany. By the 1950s thousands of tractor-towed, 300-tonne wooden barges, known as bilanders, worked the canal. That traffic had died out by the 1970s, and the canal is now used by leisure boats.
Castles, cathedrals and the noble pig
The region has lush forests and marshland that support plenty of wildlife. There are 21 nature reserves in the area, including the Delta de la Sauer. For history, there are grand castles and cathedrals in Saarbrücken and Strasbourg. The Basilica St. Johann in Saarbrücken and the Rohan Palace in Saverne are both worth seeing.
Pork takes pride of place on the table here, and locals call the pig le seigneur cochon, "the noble pig". Look out for choucroute alsacienne, which is sauerkraut with sausage, pork or ham. Tourte is a pie of ham, bacon or minced pork with eggs and leeks.
Licences and getting started
You don't need a licence or any boating experience to cruise the Canal de la Marne au Rhin or the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre, and both are suitable for beginners. Before you set off, the base team gives you a full boat briefing and practical training.
Some routes do need a licence. To cruise the Moselle towards Toul, Metz and Luxembourg, you need an International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft, issued under Resolution No. 40 of the UNECE Working Party on Inland Water Transport. A licence is also needed to cruise from Saarbrücken to Apach on the waterways of Germany and Luxembourg. If your certificate doesn't mention Resolution No. 40, send it to Le Boat's sales team before booking so they can check it.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest canal holidays on Mooch, both in France. Prices are the operators' own, per boat.
