Saverne (France)

Saverne (Zabern) is a Marne-Rhine Canal barge cruise port and a town (population around 12,000) located in France's Bas-Rhin department (Grand Est region/fka Alsace). Saverne is on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin (Rhine-Marne Canal) and approx 45 km (27 mi) northwest of Strasbourg. Rhine-Marne Canal is an artificial waterway used mostly by recreational boaters and luxury hotel barges. The 314-km (195-mi) long canal connects Marne River (Vitry-le-Francois) to Rhine River (in Strasbourg).

The town is best-known for its coat of arms - a unicorn. According to a legend, a unicorn's horn was found in the ruins of a nearby castle. The unicorn name is also present in the local beer brand "Biere de la Licorne" produced at the brewery Brasserie la Licorne (part of Karlsbrau/Karlsberg Holding, Germany). The best-known tourist attraction is Chateau des Rohan (Rohan Castle, Strasbourg bishops' former residence) now housing the city museum, a hostel and an arts and crafts museum. Other attractions include Chateau Vieux (15th-century castle), Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativite (15th-century church), several old houses (best-known is Maison Katz), four ruined castles (Haut-Barr, Grand Geroldseck, Ochsenstein, Greifenstein), Jardin Botanique du col de Saverne (botanical garden), La Roseraie (Rose Garden with 550+ varieties of roses) where is held the annual International Contest of New Roses.

As barge cruise port, Saverne is included in the schedule of one of the world's largest river cruise companies - CroisiEurope. For summer 2021 season, the company had one hotel barge with planned visits to Saverne. Next table shows the 6-day "The Marne-Rhine Canal" itinerary (roundtrip from Strasbourg) scheduled for the Madeleine barge ship in summer 2021.

CroisiEurope barge cruise itinerary review

CroisiEurope barge cruise prices started from EUR 2270 pp / USD 2750 per person (outside cabin with double occupancy). The 6-day French Canal cruisetour starts with a bus transfer from Strasbourg to Lagarde (embarkation port in France's Moselle department) where passengers board the ship (at 6 PM) for a port overnight. The itinerary ends in Strasbourg (debarkation at 9 AM).

In the morning on DAY 2, the cruise boat sails toward Xouaxange, passing through Rechicourt Lock and continuing through the lakes. In the afternoon is visited Sarrebourg (for the Chagall Trail/Vosges Mountains).

In the morning on DAY 3, the boat is cruising toward Lutzelbourg, passing through Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels. In the afternoon passes through the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane. Passengers disembark the ship to visit the local family-run crystal workshop (crystal blowing and cutting). Then the boat continues to Lutzelbourg.

On DAY 4, passengers disembark the ship for a walking tour to Chateau de Lutzelbourg. Then the boat cruises to Saverne (arriving in the early-afternoon) where passengers visit Chateau de Hohbarr. In Saverne is included a guided city tour.

In the morning on DAY 5, the ship cruises to Hochefelden, where (in the afternoon) is offered a bus excursion that visits Maison du Kochersberg (museum) and Villa Meteor de Hochfelden. Later the cruise ship is boarded in Waltenheim-sur-Zorn.

In the morning on DAY 6, the boat cruises to Strasbourg City, where is offered an afternoon tour-boat excursion.