Visit the Arzviller inclined plane: a one-of-a-kind boat lift
Seeing a boat go down a hill on rails isn’t something you witness every day! The Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane is a boat lift on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, in the Pays de Phalsbourg. It’s in Moselle, just a stone’s throw from Alsace, and you can either watch it from the viewing platform or ride down in a boat—the option I tested. Options, prices, duration, access, and my unfiltered take: I’m telling you everything!
Summary
- My review of the Arzviller inclined plane
- How does this boat lift work?
- Arzviller: in Alsace or in Moselle?
- History: from 17 locks to the 1969 boat lift
- Visiting the inclined plane: which option should you choose?
- What to do around Arzviller?
- What to remember about the Arzviller inclined plane
- Frequently asked questions before you visit
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: Saint-Louis-Arzviller, in Moselle (near Lutzelbourg), on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin
- ⏳ Recommended time: around 1h30 with the boat descent, including the site visit (30 minutes minimum for the self-guided visit only)
- 👨👩👧👦 Who is it for? Families, couples, engineering and heritage buffs; accessible to people with reduced mobility under certain conditions
- 💶 Budget: € (from €5 for the self-guided visit to €11 with the boat descent, adult rates 2026)
- 📅 Opening: daily from April to October (except May 1), closed from November to March
My review of the Arzviller inclined plane
I liked
- Very impressive work
- Possibility of borrowing the map by boat
- Interesting explanations during the boat tour
I liked a little less
- A visit that won’t fill a whole day: plan another activity if you’re coming for the day (but there’s plenty to do nearby!)
How does this boat lift work?
The idea is simple on paper: a water-filled tank in which the boat floats goes down or up along an inclined ramp using a balancing counterweight. In reality, it’s a spectacular piece of engineering. Presented as the only boat lift of its kind in Europe, it overcomes around 44.5 m of elevation change, where you previously had to tackle 17 locks in a row.
Arzviller: in Alsace or in Moselle?
The inclined plane is in Moselle (Lorraine), near Lutzelbourg, just on the other side of the border with Alsace. That’s why it so often gets listed among Alsace day trips.
History: from 17 locks to the 1969 boat lift
Who designed the Arzviller inclined plane?
The inclined plane was designed by the general engineer of the Ponts et Chaussées Robert Vadot, who was in charge of the Moselle canalization.
Why replace 17 locks with an inclined plane?
After 4 years of work, the inclined plane was put into service in 1969. It makes it possible to overcome 44.5 meters of elevation change very quickly—something that previously required no fewer than 17 locks!
- ⏱️ Before 1969: allow a full day of navigation to get through this section of the canal
- 🚢 Since 1969: just a few minutes—4 minutes for the descent or ascent, and 20 minutes total between entering and exiting the lift
- 🏗️ Just one tank: two were originally planned, but only one was built and put into operation due to the decline in river transport
What happened to the locks? The Vallée des Eclusiers
After it was built, the canal was diverted and navigation stopped in the Vallée des Eclusiers, which is now a lovely place for a walk or a bike ride.
A tip from a local: extend your visit with the charming Voie verte de la Vallée des Eclusiers, on foot or by bike.
Also on the blog
Visiting the inclined plane: which option should you choose?
Visit options at a glance (2026 prices)
| Option | What it includes | Duration | Adult / child | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-guided visit | Exhibition, upper platform, Sophie-Marie museum barge, machine room | 30 minutes minimum | €5 / €4 | April to October |
| Visit + boat descent | Site, descent and ascent on the inclined plane, mini-cruise on the canal | Around 1h30 total | €11 / €9 | April to October |
| Visit + tourist train | Site, ride along the canal and the Vallée des Eclusiers | Around 1h30 total | €9 / €8 | July and August |
| Boat + tourist train | Both options combined | Around 2h30 total | €15 / €13 | July and August |
Free for under-5s. Find all the info on visit options and opening times on the Plan incliné website.
Self-guided visit of the site
The self-guided visit gives access to the permanent exhibition, the upper platform where you can watch the inclined plane in action, the machine room, and the Sophie-Marie museum barge.
Boat descent: the option I tested
I tested the boat tour, which seems like the nicest option to me. You actually take the inclined plane on board a boat, and you also get explanations of how it works. The tour lasts about 1h: down by boat on the inclined plane, a short loop on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, then back up.
I really enjoyed trying both the descent and the ascent in this huge boat lift—it’s truly impressive! The speed at which you cover the height difference is surprising, but it’s not scary at all: it’s very stable, and the boat doesn’t move at all in its big water-filled tank!
A tip from a local: if you’re coming with young kids or you’re worried about heights, don’t be—the descent is very stable.
Note: arrive at least 30 minutes before the boat departs.
Tourist train
The tourist train runs along the canal and the Vallée des Eclusiers. It only operates in July and August.
What to do around Arzviller?
If you’re coming for the day, plan to add something else to your visit—there’s plenty to do nearby!
- 🚴 Voie verte de la Vallée des Eclusiers: the canal’s former route, on foot or by bike
- 💎 Cristallerie Lehrer: at the foot of the inclined plane, a great add-on to watch glassmakers at work
- 🛷 Luge alpine du plan incliné: perfect for families, just a stone’s throw away
- 🌲 Dabo and Phalsbourg: my 10 ideas for visits and walks nearby
What to remember about the Arzviller inclined plane
- 🚢 A boat lift that has replaced 17 locks since 1969
- 📍 Located in Moselle, just a stone’s throw from Alsace
- 🎟️ From €5 for the self-guided visit, €11 with the boat descent (adult rates 2026)
- 🗓️ Open daily from April to October, closed from November to March
- 👨👩👧👦 To combine with the Vallée des Eclusiers, Cristallerie Lehrer, and the alpine luge
Looking for more ideas nearby? Find my ideas for things to do around Dabo and Phalsbourg here!
Practical information
Schedules and rates
2026 season: open 7 days a week from April to October, except May 1, from 10 AM to 5 PM (10 AM to 6 PM in high season, from July 5 to August 30). The site is closed from November to March.
- Self-guided visit: €5 adult / €4 child
- Visit + boat descent: €11 adult / €9 child
- Visit + tourist train (July and August): €9 adult / €8 child
- Boat + tourist train (July and August): €15 adult / €13 child
- Free for under-5s
Find all the information on the different visit formulas and schedules on the Plan Incliné website .
Accessibility and pets
The site, the boats, and the tourist train are accessible to people with reduced mobility under certain conditions: remember to contact the site before your visit.
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the site and on board the boats (outdoor area).
Access
By car
The inclined plane is located at:
- 70km from Strasbourg (about 50 minutes)
- 15km from Saverne (about 15 minutes)
By bike
The inclined plane is on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, which you can follow by bike: find my tips in my article What to do on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin?.
By public transport
You can calculate your route on Fluo Grand Est.
Frequently asked questions before you visit
Where is the Arzviller inclined plane?
The Arzviller inclined plane is in Moselle (Lorraine), on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, near Lutzelbourg and just a stone’s throw from the border with Alsace. From Strasbourg, allow 70 km—around 50 minutes by car.
How much does it cost to visit the Arzviller inclined plane?
In 2026, the self-guided visit costs €5 per adult and €4 per child. With the boat descent, allow €11 per adult and €9 per child. Admission is free for under-5s.
How long does the boat descent take?
The boat tour lasts about 1h: down the inclined plane, a short loop on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, then back up. With the site visit, allow around 1h30.
When is the Arzviller inclined plane open?
The Arzviller inclined plane is open daily from April to October, except May 1, from 10 AM to 5 PM (until 6 PM from July 5 to August 30). It is closed from November to March.
Is the Arzviller inclined plane suitable for children?
Yes, it’s an ideal family outing. The descent is impressive but not scary: the boat stays very stable in its water-filled tank.