Travel in an exclusively chartered hotel barge through the heart of Alsace-Lorraine, where French and German culture entwine to create one of France’s most enchanting regions. Journey on the privately chartered 11-cabin barge MS Jeanine through the dramatic scenery of the Zorne Valley and Vosges Mountains from Strasbourg to Lagarde, whilst enjoying local wines, cheeses and French cuisine prepared by the on-board chef. Enjoy escorted visits with your trip scholar to some of France’s most important Medieval sites, with expert lectures in the evening for a deeper understanding of the history of this prized region, which changed hands four times in just 75 years.
Our privately chartered barge, Jeanine, has just 12 twin cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms and large windows. Launched in 2014 and designed using fresh, modern furnishings and bright fabrics, she is one of the most attractive barges in France today. The bright lounge and sundeck are lovely places to watch the scenery glide by. For the energetic, there are opportunities to cycle along the tow path as the barge carries bicycles on board. In the Rhine Valley we visit the ‘Hansel and Gretel’-style 15th-century town of Riquewihr for a tasting of local Alsace wines and Colmar with its maze of medieval streets, Renaissance buildings and waterside ‘Little Venice’ area. In Strasbourg, we shall visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, probably one of the finest in Europe, and the medieval riverside district of ‘Petite France’. The barge passes through the beautiful scenery of the Zorn valley and Vosges mountains, and in Lorraine the barge is lifted 45m at the inclined plane of Arzwiller, an incredible feat of engineering.
Tour highlights
• Discover Strasbourg’s medieval riverside district and visit Notre Dame Cathedral
• Explore medieval Colmar and the 15th century ‘chocolate box’ picturesque town of Riquewihr
• Enjoy tranquil cruising through valleys, forests, scenic lakes and even through tunnels under the Vosges mountains.
• Marvel as the barge is lifted 150 feet at the Inclined Plane of Arzwiller, a one-of-a-kind counterbalanced barge lift connecting the Marne and Rhine canals.
• Visit the chapel of the Cordeliers in Sarrebourg and see the stained glass window created by Marc Chagall
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: London to Strasbourg
Day 2: Strasbourg to Waltenheim-sur-Zorne
Day 3: Waltenheim-sur-Zorne – Saverne
Day 4: Saverne to Lutzelbourg
Day 5: Lutzelbourg to Xouaxange
Day 6: Xouaxange to Lagarde
Day 7: Lagarde – Strasbourg – Tour ends
Notice about operational control of this tour
Temple World has a long-standing collaboration with the University of Cambridge to plan and operate tours for its Alumni as part of the Alumni Travel Programme. Where minimum numbers are achieved and a tour departs, 10% of the tour cost will be given by Temple World to the University of Cambridge as a donation for each traveller who has a connection to the university (alumni/staff etc). This includes any friends/family travelling with them. However, please note that the University of Cambridge has no control over the operation of the tours in the Programme, which are the sole responsibility of the Operator/s concerned (in this case, Templeworld Limited).
Day 1: 30 Sept 2026 London to Strasbourg
Day 2: 1 October 2026 Strasbourg to Waltenheim-sur-Zorne
Day 3: 2 October 2026 Waltenheim-sur-Zorne - Saverne
Day 4: 3 October 2026 Saverne to Lutzelbourg
Day 5: 4 October 2026 Lutzelbourg to Xouaxange
Day 6: 5 October 2026 Xouaxange to Lagarde
Day 7: 6 October 2026 Lagarde - Strasbourg - Tour ends
| Cabin Class | Price | Single Supplement | Optional Train from London | Availability |
| Standard Twin | £3,250 | £1950 | From £170-£250 | Available |
Optional train
Temple World can arrange transport from London to coordinate with this tour, subject to a minimum of 10 people booking this. Until we know flight and train schedules, we cannot be sure which route will work best but the likelihood is that we will use the Eurostar via either Paris or Lille and the cost will be approximately £200-250 per person return. Going via Lille is the easier route of the two by rail as both the Eurostar and the SNCF run from the same station so it’s only necessary to change platform there. When travelling via Paris the Eurostar goes to/from Gare du Nord and the SNCF to Strasbourg goes to/from Gare de L’est. This would need to be done under your own steam by metro or taxi.
The current schedule for the Lille route is as follows, but we will need to wait until the September 2026 schedule is loaded before we can know the train timings on our tour dates are similar:
OUTBOUND
11:04 London St Pancras Int’l to Lille arriving 13:26 (1 hr 22 min)
28 minutes to change platform
13:54 Lille Europe to Strasbourg-Ville arriving 17:37 (3 hrs 43 min)
INBOUND
17:01 Strasbourg-Ville to Lille arriving 20:16 (3 hrs 15 min)
1 hr 19 mins to change platform
21:35 Lille Europe to London St Pancras Int’l arriving 21:57 (1 hr 22 mins)
The boarding time for the barge is 6pm, so the only issue is how late the inbound leg departs as it’s likely the group will have most of the day spare in Strasbourg having left the barge after breakfast. Anyone who prefers that we book them an earlier service from Strasbourg via Paris can do so as long as they are OK getting themselves across Paris by metro or taxi with their baggage.
If fewer than 10 guests decide to book transport with us we will endeavour to arrange the same tickets for a similar price for those who need them, but please note that the full fare may need to be paid up front in this instance. A group transfer from Strasbourg station to and from the barge is included in the tour price but to take advantage as this you must arrive/depart at the same time as the majority of the group. Private taxis can also be arranged (at own cost) for those arriving or departing at different times.
Booking your own transport
Clients wishing to fly to France or who wish to travel from a city other than London are advised to book their own transport. The start and end point for the tour is STRASBOURG RAIL STATION if taking the group transfer, otherwise guests are welcome to make their own way to the canal dock in Strasbourg and back from Lagarde – detailed directions will be given as to the mooring point of the barge.
You can arrive at any time of day on 30 September, but check-in at the barge is not normally until 5 or 6pm as the crew need to rest and re-provision the barge after its previous charter. There are no activities on the first day until dinner, which is likely to be at around 8pm.
On the last day (06 October) we will leave the barge after breakfast – those who do not need a transfer to Strasbourg station must vacate the barge by 10am. The road journey from Lagarde to Strasbourg station is around 90 mins depending on traffic, so we would anticipate being there by around 11:30. Those with earlier flights/trains are welcome to leave earlier if need be and we can arrange a private transfer (at extra cost) accordingly.
Very Important! Those who plan to book their own transport should not make any binding or non-refundable arrangements until their place has been confirmed in writing on the tour and Temple World has confirmed the direction of the cruise and that it is a guaranteed departure.
Includes
Twin cabin with private bathroom (WC, sink and shower), full board including red and white wines with lunch and dinner, all excursions with local guides, entrance fees, single group transfer to coordinate with the majority arrival/departure time, expert leader.
Not included
Transport to/from France, arrival/departure transfers if arriving independently, travel insurance, drinks other than included wines, tips to crew, drivers & local guides.
Single supplement: £1950. There are very limited single places on this tour – please enquire.
Fitness Guidelines
We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Easy/Moderate. This is a relaxed itinerary, though for those who wish to be more active there are opportunities to hike and cycle. There are no strenuous walks in this tour however in order to see all the points of interest some long strolls through villages and towns are required, at a moderate pace.
Whilst sightseeing we may be out and about for several hours at one time, and it is important that everyone is able to keep up with the group or we will not be able to see all the sights advertised in the time available. It is possible to remain on board the barge and relax instead of sightseeing.
If you elect to travel by train from London, please note that you will be required to carry your own luggage at train stations – trolleys are not available and in France there are no porters.
The best train times involve a change of stations in Paris – if you opt for a route via Paris it is necessary to change stations and cross Paris independently by taxi or metro (the group is not being accompanied on this journey) – once again you will need to wheel/carry your own luggage up and down the platforms which we know some clients have found rather challenging in the past. Trains via Lille involve changing platforms but not stations so is an easier route, but there is only one service per day and the timings may not suit.
Although there are no strenuous hikes or lengthy walks in the itinerary, due to the size of the group and amount of sightseeing, we would recommend that the tour is not suitable for anyone who needs to walk at a ‘slower than average’ pace or uses a walking aid such as a stick, crutch, or walker around the house or to get around their local area. If unsure whether this tour is suitable for you, please check with us.
There is one wheelchair accessible cabin on board the barge which would be suitable for an independent wheelchair user or a wheelchair user who is travelling with someone who is able to assist them throughout the tour. The barge does not carry a wheelchair on board. Some of the sightseeing during the tour may be challenging by wheelchair, such as historic cities with cobbled streets, but we can provide an accessibility rundown for the whole itinerary on request.
Note: We know that age is not always a reliable indicator of fitness, but prospective participants over the age of 80 will be given a letter to be signed by their GP to say they are fit enough to undertake this tour, and this will be sent out with your final statement.
If unsure whether this tour is suitable for you, please check with us.
Immunisations
NHS Fit for Travel advises travellers to France don’t normally need any immunisations as long as all UK childhood vaccinations and boosters are up to date. Please seek professional medical advice to discuss your personal circumstances at least 8 week before departure. NHS Fit For Travel Website
Visas
UK and other EU passport holders do not currently need a visa to enter France, but under post-Brexit rules, UK citizens can now only spend 90 days per 180 days in any Schengen country. Nationals of several other countries, including South Africans, do require a visa in advance. Please check with your local French consulate. In 2026, a new visa-waiver system called ETIAS will be introduced for short stays in the EU – this page will be updated as and when there is news re the date this will apply from.
Trip Scholar
Dr Rowena E Archer
Medieval Historian Dr Rowena E Archer is an emeritus fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford. After many years teaching mature students at Oxford, she later became a lecturer in Oxford’s Faculty of History at both Brasenose and Christ Church. Her initial research focused on the late medieval English Nobility but she was soon drawn towards the experiences of women and has published on a wide variety of aspects of women’s lives making considerable use of the late fourteenth century Franco-Italian writer Christine de Pizan (d.1431). She is currently writing a life of Alice Chaucer, the poet’s granddaughter (d.1475). She continues to do some teaching on the late middle ages and in particular on Joan of Arc (born in Lorraine) and her age, 1419 – 1435. She was director of the long running Medieval Studies Programme for the Cambridge International Summer Schools, and regularly taught at Madingley Hall. She travels to France at least twice a year, partly for work and partly for pleasure.
Lectures during our tours
All our tours are accompanied by an academic ‘trip scholar’ as well as local guides. The local guide or guides provide the day-to-day guiding on our tours, whilst the trip lecturer will give regular lectures on his/her specialist subject throughout to provide an academic overview. Lectures/talks usually last 30-40 minutes including questions and answers (if applicable). These are generally held in the evenings before dinner and attendance is optional. We don’t usually specify before travel which days the lectures will be given (for operational reasons) but guests can expect them roughly every other day as a minimum, with some lecturers giving some kind of talk or presentation more frequently.
We recommend a three-night extension to lights of Paris or relaxing Lake Lucerne after your tour. In Paris, our top picks are the Sydney Opera (Paris), for value in a great location and the Balzac, a boutique four star deluxe property in a quiet street close to the Arc de Triomphe. For unparalelled luxury we recommend one of Paris’ opulent ‘palace’ hotels, Le Meurice, the Plaza Athenée or the Four Seasons George V.
Stunning Lake Lucerne can be reached in under 3 hours by rail from Strasbourg. The four-star Art Deco Hotel Montana has wonderful views over the lake and is a short funicular ride and 15 minute walk from the old town. Or, stay at the fabulous Burgenstock Resort, known for its superb Alpine Spa set high above the lake, and with a choice of accommodations from cozy 3-star to opulent Art Deco 5-star.
Call us on 0208 940 4114 to speak to your tour coordinators Lia or Alice for a quote to add these or any other extensions to your tour.
Suggested Reading
Your trip scholar will put together a selection of suggested books for those who would like to find out more about some of the themes of the tour. When this is ready we will post the list here as well as sending a paper copy out to all those booked on the tour.
