Barge Cruising in Alsace Lorraine
Framed by the foliage of Black Forest and the serene beauty of the Vosges Mountains, barge cruising in the Alsace-Lorraine reveals a region of storybook castles, rolling vineyards of Alsatian wines, and architectural treasures from epochs such as Baroque, Gothic, and Romanesque.
The area’s signature blend of French and German influences are strongly evident in its customs, cuisine, and language. The most idiosyncratic of French regions, only the Rhine separates Germany from Alsace-Lorraine, a region that often looks German and even sounds German. But its cultural and historical heart—just to prove how deceptive appearances can be—beats to a cadence that is decidedly French. One has only to recall that Strasbourg was the birthplace of the Marseillaise national anthem to appreciate the region’s passionate loyalty to France and French citizenship.
Alsace-Lorraine is the easternmost region within France and easily accessible from Paris by TGV to both of the main transportation hubs of Strasbourg and Nancy, and flights from Paris to Strasbourg are also plentiful. Combining a barge cruise with a few days in Germany, Switzerland, or Luxembourg is also a marvelous way to explore this part of Europe.
