La Nouvelle Etoile

Alsace-Lorraine Cruises

2013 Regular Season rates*

2013 Available Date in AlSace Lorraine

2014 Regular Season rates

2014 Dates in AlSace Lorraine

La Nouvelle Etoile Photos

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La Nouvelle Etoile

Alsace-Lorraine Barge Cruise Itinerary

Nancy to Hochfelden (Strasbourg) in the Alsace-Lorraine

Sunday: Board in Nancy, Cruise to Laneuville
Champagne Welcome
After being met by our driver at mid afternoon you will be chauffeured to La Nouvelle Etoile moored in Nancy. After a wonderful champagne welcome we will set off for a short late afternoon cruise to Laneuville. Tonight, enjoy your first of many gourmet meals on board.



Monday: Cruise to LaGarde
Elegant Art Nouveau in Nancy
We will cruise during breakfast and then drive back to Nancy for a walking tour of the city beginning at the elegant Place Stanislas, see below. Flanked by handsome Baroque palaces and enclosed by ornate gold and wrought iron entry gates, the square is considered one of the grandest in all of France. The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy. We may visit the Musee de l’Ecole De Nancy to see its fine collection. Return to La Nouvelle Etoile for a leisurely afternoon cruise to Lagarde.

Tuesday: Sarrebourg
Famous Chagal Windows
After a morning cruise past tidy farms and pasture-lands visit one of the local Cristalleries where fine crystal is still blown by hand. There will be an opportunity to purchase crystal as well. Then continue Sarrebourg to have a look at Chapelle des Cordeliers, with its beautiful Marc Chagal windows.

Wednesday: Cruise to Lutzelbourg
Incredible barge lift!
Each day we travel on the canal we have been gradually climbing to the crest of the Vosges Mountains. After navigating two tunnels carved into the mountaintop, we will encounter the Inclined Plane at Arzviller. This unique lock allows a barge to glide effortlessly up or down the mountainside using a system of weights and balances. We continue the cruise through the Zorn Valley where the surrounding hilltops are dotted with ruins of feudal castles. Our overnight stay will be in Lutzelbourg.

Thursday: Cruise to Saverne
Adorable villages and winetasting on the Route de Vin
This morning we wind our way through the heart of Saverne, past the regal 18th century Bishop’s Palace. From Saverne we will take an afternoon drive along the Route du Vin d’Alsace to the old fortified town of Obernai, see at left, where we will visit the Market Square and the 14th century ramparts that surround the city. Stop along the way at a vineyard to taste some of the best Alsatian wines.


Friday: Cruise to Hochfelden
So much to see in Strasbourg!
Today we will finish the cruise in Hochfelden just outside of Strasbourg. Our afternoon tour of Strasbourg, pictured below, includes the folk museum and the 11th century Gothic cathedral, leaving enough time to stroll around to explore the fine shops. Returning to the barge late in the afternoon you will enjoy your last gourmet dinner on board.


Saturday: Strasbourg Transfer
A Sad Farewell
After a last elegant breakfast, depart at 9:30am and we'll chauffeur you to any destination in Strasbourg or immediate environs: A local hotel, rental car office, airport or train station. (from where TGV trains depart regularly to Paris, arrive in less than three hours!)

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Hochfelden (Strasbourg) to Nancy in the Alsace-Lorraine

Sunday: Board in Hochfelden
Champagne Welcome
After being met in Strasbourg in mid afternoon by our driver, you will be chauffeured to La Nouvelle Etoile moored in Hochfelden just outside of Strasbourg. Enjoy a wonderful champagne welcome. You will have the afternoon just to relax and then get ready to enjoy your first of many gourmet meals on board.

Monday: Visit Strasbourg, Cruise to Saverne
So much to see in Strasbourg!
Before we begin our cruise we will take a tour of Strasbourg, visiting the folk museum and the 11th century Gothic cathedral, leaving enough time to explore the fine shops. After lunch we take a lovely afternoon cruise on to Saverne.

Tuesday: Cruise to Lutzelbourg
Adorable villages and winetasting on the Route de Vin
We wind through the heart of Saverne, past the regal 18th century Bishops Palace and then through the Zorn Valley where surrounding hilltops are dotted with the ruins of feudal castles to Lutzelbourg. Take an afternoon drive along the Route du Vin d’Alsace through the old fortified town of Obernai. Visit one of the local winegrowers to taste some of the best Alsatian wines

Wednesday: Cruise through Mountaintop Tunnels, Visit Sarrebourg
Incredible barge lift!
Each day we travel on the canal, La Nouvelle Etoile has been climbing to the crest of the Vosges Mountains. Before navigating two tunnels carved into the mountaintop, we will encounter the Inclined Plane at Arzviller. This unique lock allows a barge to glide effortlessly up or down the mountainside using a sophisticated system of weights and balances. A short drive along the way will take us to one of the local Cristalleries where fine crystal is still blown by hand. There will be an opportunity to purchase crystal as well. Then continue Sarrebourg to have a look at Chapelle des Cordeliers, with its beautiful Marc Chagal windows.

Thursday: Cruise to Einville
Renaissance Chateau
This morning we will cruise past farms and pasturelands and then drive to the privately owned Chateau de Fleville. This graceful Renaissance residence adjoins a 14th century castle keep. The interiors are richly furnished with 18th century antiques. We then return to the barge, which will be moored in the peaceful town of Einville.

Friday: Cruise to Nancy
Elegant Art Nouveau in Nancy
We will enjoy a leisurely morning cruise to Nancy. After lunch take a walking tour of the city beginning at the elegant Place Stanislas. Flanked by handsome Baroque palaces and enclosed by ornate gold and wrought iron gates, the square is considered one of the grandest in all of France. The Art Nouveau movement originated in Nancy. We may visit the Musee de l’Ecole de Nancy to see its fine collection. We will moor in Nancy where you will enjoy your last gourmet dinner on board .


Saturday: Nancy Transfer
A Sad Farewell
After your last elegant breakfast on board you will be chauffeured to either your hotel or train station in Nancy in time to catch a mid morning train back to Paris.

Please note:These are sample itineraries which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises in Alsace - Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

La Nouvelle Etoile

Guest Book

"Dear Ellen, I wanted to drop you a note telling you how FABULOUS our trip on La Nouvelle Etoile was! WOW---Jan and Diana are fabulous----Frank, the tour guide is magnificent, and Richard, the chef could easily open a Michelin starred restaurant---the food was sublime. I was skeptical that anything could top the Horizon II (our first barge cruise we took a few years ago) , but this DID! The barge is so lovely and well cared for---what a shell shock to re-enter the "real world" when we left. I can't rave enough about how wonderful the entire experience was---it far exceeded any of our expectations. Many thanks!"

- Eloise Paul and Bill Lee, cruised June, 2012

"Jan and Diana are fabulous hosts. What can one say about Chef Richard? His cuisine has probably ruined us for anyone else! Each meal was gourmet quality and outstanding. The cabins ere beyond expectations. They were much roomier than previous barge cabins we have been in. The fresh flowers were a nice touch - loved it! Overall, our group a wonderful experience. No one felt hurried, and the meals were on time and delicious. Everything was done exceptionally well! We were the only ones in our charter group who had barged before and everyone loved the experience. It is the best way to travel...we hope to repeat the trip again."
- Judy and Gary Jorgensen (repeat guests), cruised April, 2012

"The crew was excellent! They were very friendly, professional, and did everything they could to ensure we were enjoying ourselves. Richard is a gourmet chef, and every meal was terrific! We ate all three meals and enjoyed every one of them. The wine selection was outstanding! Our cabin was much nicer than we anticipated - lots of room, large bathroom and very clean. Overall, Nouvelle Etoile was absolutely fabulous! It was a Five Star experience! We would definitely cruise again on the Nouvelle Etoile.

- Mary and Carl Strohmaier, cruised April, 2012

"The Barge experience met and exceeded our expectations in pace, quality of food and service. The cabins were larger than expected and had both TV and computer. The relaxed environment coupled with outstanding cuisine was great. Everything was handled so efficiently and was much appreciated!"

-Al and Barbara Sandrini, cruised August 2011

"We found the barge to be a masterpiece of design. It was so elegant, warm and inviting. A superb host and hostess and staff"
- Phillips and Linda Maddox, 2010

"Our barge trip was a true vacation. You can't help but slow down and enjoy the wonderful experience of food, scenery and history."
-Allan and Nancy Miner, 2010


"The cruise was deluxe and better than anything we expected. The Meijers were not only superb operators, they are delightful, cheerful, entertaining people. Richard the Chef was over the top wonderful. I would follow him on any barge. Every effort was made to accommodate all wishes. We got off and walked - much needed as food and wine was abundant at meals. I would do the trip again but lose at least 5 pounds before departure!"
-Deborah and Richard Kessler, 2010

La Nouvelle Etoile

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