The canal originally ran 134 kilometres from Strasbourg in the north to Mulhouse in the south where it joined the Canal du Rhône au Rhin southern branch, but most of the canal was abandoned in the 1980s. Nowadays, a 34 kilometre northern stretch remains open running from Strasbourg to Rhinau and is called the Canal du Rhône au Rhin (Northern branch). The only other stretch that remains open is a branch halfway down to the south that runs into Colmar.
There are 11 original locks on the canal plus a new one that was built to join the canal to the Rhine at Rhinau. The locks are all Freycinet sized so provide access to 38.5 x 5.05 commercial Péniches. They are operated automatically by the use of a télécommande or remote control unit that is given to boaters at the first lock at either end and handed back when they reach their final lock.
The locks are traffic light controlled and entry is only possible when the green light is showing. When a lock is being set both a red and green light is shown. If two red lights are showing then the lock is out of action and VNF, the canal authority, has to be contacted.
Cottages were built at each lock to house the lock keepers and many are still standing. The cottages are large by normal French lock cottage standards and have attractive tile hung upper storeys.
The canal is practically dead straight for the majority of its route which tends to put many people off exploring it. It turns out to be surprisingly attractive running between the Black mountains of Germany and the Vosges mountains of France. It has a well maintained cycle path running alongside and when we visited in 2022 there was only one commercial quay still in use, consequently péniches are rarely seen. There are two private marinas, one at either end of the canal. Both look pretty run down and can only take small river cruisers.
There are 11 original locks on the canal plus a new one that was built to join the canal to the Rhine at Rhinau. The locks are all Freycinet sized so provide access to 38.5 x 5.05 commercial Péniches. They are operated automatically by the use of a télécommande or remote control unit that is given to boaters at the first lock at either end and handed back when they reach their final lock.
The locks are traffic light controlled and entry is only possible when the green light is showing. When a lock is being set both a red and green light is shown. If two red lights are showing then the lock is out of action and VNF, the canal authority, has to be contacted.
Cottages were built at each lock to house the lock keepers and many are still standing. The cottages are large by normal French lock cottage standards and have attractive tile hung upper storeys.
The canal is practically dead straight for the majority of its route which tends to put many people off exploring it. It turns out to be surprisingly attractive running between the Black mountains of Germany and the Vosges mountains of France. It has a well maintained cycle path running alongside and when we visited in 2022 there was only one commercial quay still in use, consequently péniches are rarely seen. There are two private marinas, one at either end of the canal. Both look pretty run down and can only take small river cruisers.
Écluse onto Rhine
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Écluse 75 - Flood Lock
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Écluse 76 - (1.97 m)
Écluse 77 - (2.27m)
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Écluse 78 - (2.68m)
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Écluse 79 - (2.63m)
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Écluse 80 - Flood lock
Écluse 81 - (2.66m)
Écluse 82 - (2.49m)
Écluse 83 - (2.43m)
Écluse 84 - (1.71m)
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Écluse 85 - (2.86m)
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Flood Gates
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Écluse 86 - (3.20m)
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