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Taking up to 22 passengers in
comfort, a cruise on the ‘Lorraine’ is a great way to explore the
less well-known region of the Alsace-Lorraine in the north-east of France. We were very fortunate to be
able to cruise on her during the first week of May 2006, and are delighted to share our thoughts on
this larger capacity barge with you, plus of course more brilliant photographs of this cruise week,
brought exclusively to you by The Barge Company. Please read on.
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The bar on the Lorraine (above) is well stocked and a pleasant focus-point in the living area for those who
wish to socialise.
Your lunch and evening meals are served in the dining room (above right). Good wines from all over
France are served with all courses, so you can ‘taste’ your way around France throughout the day!
The sunny salon (below left) is the perfect place to relax and enjoy that good book you’ve been meaning
to find time for. Notice the huge windows that allow for a great view of the outside, whatever the
weather.
The sun deck (below right) is also a lovely place to spend time, either soaking up the sun or simply
watching the world float by.
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The Lorraine’s cruise itinerary wends between the tiny villages of Xouaxange and Kraft (in opposite
directions each week). Xouaxange is east of Nancy, and Kraft is south of Strasbourg. If you start
your cruise in Xouaxange then you’ll experience the lush green countryside of the Sorn Valley during
the first few days of your cruise (see pictures above). With steep, tree-covered banks you’re in a
very tranquil valley away from the noise and hurly-burly of the 21st century. A visit to a Crystalmakers
is a highlight of the first day (see pictures top left and middle), and a visit to see Mark Chagall’s
famous stained glass window in Sarrebourg is not to be missed (top right).
As you cruise on to Saverne a visit to the Château du Haut Barr is on the itinerary (below right),
from where you can enjoy the most amazing views of the surrounding landscape (below left).
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Continuing the odyssey towards Strasbourg we entered this historic
city in style, and the first landmark that came to our notice
was the European Parliament building (top middle picture) which
cast a very modern silhouette, in contrast to the ancient buildings
that one finds in the very heart of Strasbourg, such as those
above and right. The cathedral itslef is very spectacular, and is
approached through this narrow street with traditional buildings,
which it seems to dwarf!
We enjoyed a personal guided tour from a charming Italian-French
guide especially employed for his knowledge of this strategically
placed city. This is an excursion not to be missed when cruising
on the Lorraine.
In the square just before the cathedral there is an interesting
statue of Guttenberg, which pays homage to his advances in the
world of printing during the fifteenth century (see left).
The last ‘big’ excursion of the week was a visit to the ‘fairy-tale’
town of Colmar (below right). Narrow cobbled streets interlaced
with narrow waterways made it a fascinating place to visit—not to
mention the large number of individually owned boutiques and antique
shops—great for a bit of a bargain hunt!
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