A houseboat holiday in Lorraine

From Languimberg - Port du Houillon

Come and visit this region of North-Eastern France and surprise yourself with the wealth of attractions on offer in historic Lorraine. Head for Languimberg, where we’ll get you ready for a waterway cruise that you can organise as you wish, making it a real pleasure for your whole crew.

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One-way only Suitable for people with reduced mobility

Lorraine, a land steeped in history to explore by boat

Head to the port of Houillon in Languimberg to sample the joys of waterway tourism. Enjoy experiencing all the treasures of the waterway heritage, as well as indulging in more intense activities with off-road cycling or a refreshing swim. Fishing, walking…the possibilities are endless, since you can moor your houseboat and stop off whenever you like or, on the contrary, opt to press on at a relaxed pace from lock to lock. Among the must-see attractions of this unusual and often little-known region are Chagall’s stained-glass window in Cordeliers chapel, Sarrebourg, and Château de Fénétrange with its imposing garden. Get organised and start your waterway holiday with a family trip to the amazing Sainte Croix animal park, where you can treat yourself to another unforgettable and unusual experience : sleeping with wolves.

A waterway trip from Languimberg to Nancy : another facet of Lorraine

If you’re holidaying for more than a week, treat yourself to a waterway cruise from Languimberg and head for the ducal city of Nancy. This former capital of Lorraine will be an enchanting stopping point – a cultural highlight for fans of historic buildings with the Lorraine Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as an opportunity to leave your houseboat for a stroll around one of the most beautiful squares in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site : Place Stanislas. You can then embark again to cross this historic region of Lorraine and navigate between the orchards, unveiling one of its other treasures : the Mirabelle plum. Enjoy sampling some of the many recipes that draw upon this yellow gold of Lorraine in all its forms, from the famous jams to the must-try Mirabelle tarts. Every foray into a Lorraine village during your waterway cruise will give you an opportunity to bring back some of the region’s other culinary specialities (pâté lorrain, quiche lorraine, potée lorraine, etc.) to enjoy on board. Your cruise will soon become a real culinary journey.

discover the region with our photos

Alsatian cuisine on the water

Even on your rental houseboat, you’ll be able to take advantage of an Alsatian highlight as you get close to Alsace’s famous wine route. Pinot noir, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, .... navigate your way to the vineyards that have made the region famous and treat yourself to winery and cellar visits as you stop off along your route. If you can, take a foray into the traditional markets, seeking out some local products to bring back on board. You can also enjoy eating in Alsace’s traditional Winstub restaurants. Sauerkraut, baeckeofe, flammenkueche, ... savour all the traditional recipes, served in a unique atmosphere.

Willer mill – the Sarre’s exceptional heritage

Although it has undergone many changes and transformations over the centuries, Willer mill remains a unique example of waterway heritage. Built on the Sarre at the beginning of the 18th century, it invites you to discover the region’s traditional know-how. Your whole crew will love watching the wooden waterwheel turn with the force of the water. The wheel, with its 108 blades and 5-metre diameter, is a unique spectacle in motion. Admire all this know-how as you watch the mill and miller at work and extend your enchantment even further by sampling the bread or flammenkueche on offer at the heart of Willer mill.

Gondrexange Lake – a fishing paradise

Aboard your licence-free rental boat, on both the Marne-Rhine Canal and Canal de la Sarre, you’ll be able to navigate your way to Moselle, a land of lakes. Here, you can delight in a whole series of pools and lagoons, with every stopping point giving your youngest boaters the opportunity to enjoy a swim, as well as all kinds of other water activities. You can moor up on the banks of Gondrexange lake, which was developed in the 14th century and used, in particular, as a fishing reserve for the Region’s abbeys. It’s now a key meeting place for fishermen and women, so why not leave your licence-free rental boat for a few hours and really make the most of it?

Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane

The Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane is sure to be one of the essential stages of your waterway cruise in Alsace Lorraine. The building, inaugurated in 1969, has allowed no less than 17 locks to be replaced on the route between Strasbourg and Paris, cutting down a barge’s journey by a whole day. You’ll be able to take advantage of this lift to overcome a height difference of over 44 metres in less than 4 minutes. The sheer scale of the structure contrasts with the calm and tranquillity that reigns here and, aboard your rental houseboat, you’ll enjoy a unique experience as the trolley transports you up a 41 % slope.

suggested itineraries Tested and approved

Set off from Languimberg and navigate as your desires see fit, or follow our itinerary ideas:

Week-end
Round trip	59km - 2 locks	10h	Port du Houillon > Arzviller > Port du Houillon
Round trip	42km - 14 locks	10h	Port du Houillon > Lagarde > Port du Houillon
Round trip	36km - 26 locks	11h	Port du Houillon > Mittersheim > Port du Houillon
One way	66km - 26 locks	16h	Port du Houillon > Waltenheim sur Zorn

Mini-week
Round trip	86km - 28 locks	20h	Port du Houillon > Saverne > Port du Houillon
Round trip	104km - 34 locks	22h	Port du Houillon > Dombasle sur Meurthe et Moselle > Port du Houillon
Round trip	120km - 34 locks	22h	Port du Houillon > Saint Phlin > Port du Houillon

One week
Round trip	166km - 68 locks	39h	Port du Houillon > Sarreguemines > Lagarde > Port du Houillon
Round trip	153km - 46 locks	32h	Port du Houillon > Pompey > Port du Houillon
Round trip	120km - 48 locks	29h	Port du Houillon > Hochfelden > Port du Houillon

Two weeks
Round trip	254km - 74 locks	52h	Port du Houillon > Lagarde > Nancy > Toul > Neuves Maisons > Arzviller > Port du Houillon
Round trip	256km - 96 locks	56h	Port du Houillon > Sarreguemines > Lagarde > Nancy > Port du Houillon
Round trip	228km - 88 locks	53h	Port du Houillon > Boofzheim > Port du Houillon