Classic Christmas Markets Cruise – Alsace & Lorraine

Guests are welcomed in Strasbourg and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Panache, where a champagne reception awaits and you meet the crew for the first time. Time permitting, enjoy a short walk along the canal before nightfall, or simply settle into your cabin and unwind ahead of your first gourmet dinner on board.

This morning’s cruise takes you from Plobsheim through scenic countryside toward the outskirts of Strasbourg, arriving at your mooring in this historic city. After lunch, travel to Colmar to explore its six Christmas markets, including one dedicated to gourmet specialties. Surrounded by storybook half-timbered houses, festive décor, and Christmas trees at every turn, the atmosphere is truly enchanting. Later, visit a local chocolate atelier, where you can have the chance to craft your own chocolate souvenirs. Dinner is served on board.

After breakfast, explore beautiful Strasbourg – ‘The Capital City of Europe’ with its 13 Christmas markets in its historic centre. Stroll around Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France – a cobbled pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafés. You can also see Strasbourg’s breathtaking 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to a famous Renaissance astronomical clock and soaring spire, as well as its popular nativity scene. After lunch, cruise through the city and on past the impressive European Parliament building, the Palais de l’Europe, on the outskirts of Strasbourg to your mooring in Souffelweyersheim. Dinner ashore this evening at a traditional Alsatian restaurant.

This morning, Panache cruises further north along the canal, with good walking and cycling opportunities, through pretty countryside and the Forest of Brumath to your rural mooring set amongst the trees. In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful little medieval town of Riquewihr, located in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. You can have time to wander the Christmas markets and many artisanal craft stalls with the option of a wine tasting experience at nearby Maison Hugel. Dinner on board.

This morning, enjoy a relaxing cruise to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn. After lunch on board, visit Meisenthal with its glass bauble factory – the original birthplace of this iconic Christmas decoration – to watch the glass blowers in action. If time permits, on the way back to the barge, you can also have the option to visit the famed René Lalique collection and see over 500 exceptional examples of Art Nouveau and Art Deco glassware. Before dinner on board, time for aperitifs and perhaps some traditional Alsatian ‘Flammekueche’ prepared by your chef.

This morning, cruise further west through open countryside to your final mooring in Hochfelden. After lunch on board, head to the 12th century hilltop Château du Haut Barr which towers 1,500 feet above the pretty town of Saverne to admire the panoramic view, before having time to wander the decorated town centre for some final festive shopping and perhaps a turn on the ice rink in the market square. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Strasbourg.