Waltenheim-sur-Zorn (France)

Waltenheim-sur-Zorn (Waltenheim an der Zorn) is a Moselle River (Marne-Rhine Canal) barge cruise port and a small town (population under 1,000) located in France's Bas-Rhin department (Grand Est region/fka Alsace). Since 1997, the town is part of Communaute de communes du Pays de la Zorn - an association of municipalities formed via a merger of total 26 towns.

Rhine-Marne Canal is an artificial waterway used mostly by recreational boaters and luxury hotel barges. The 314-km (195-mi) long Marne-Rhine Canal connects Marne River (Vitry-le-Francois) to Rhine River (in Strasbourg).

Boats and barge cruise ships dock at Quai du Canal (Waltenheim-sur-Zorn). Running parallel to Zorn River, the Rhine-Marne Canal (Canal de la Marne au Rhin) runs directly through Waltenheim. The canal is an artificial waterway used mostly by recreational boaters and luxury hotel barges. The canal's Waltenheim Lock allows sport boaters to stop off on the annual Moselle and Rhine river roundtrip tour (aka Sauerkraut Tour).

The village was first mentioned in the late-9th-century when Bruochmagat (royal estate in Elisatia) was transferred to Lorsch Abbey. Waltenheim is equidistant from the eastern edge of Vosges Maintains (fka Wasigenwald) and from Zorn River (a Rhine River tributary). The rural settlement is train-connected with Paris City (Paris-Strasbourg railline) via the train station in Mommenheim (approx 1 mi / 1,7 km away) as well as with regularly scheduled bus connections. Road D 332 runs directly through Waltenheim.

As barge cruise port, Waltenheim-sur-Zorn 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 Waltenheim.

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.