Action group on the move in Alsace

News from the action group "Lifelong Learning and Actively Sharing Knowledge"

On April 23, 2025, 48 interested members undertook an excursion to Alsace.

First, the tour visited the boat lift in Saint Louis, Arzviller (France). The boat lift is a unique lift for ships in Europe and has been in operation since January 27, 1969. It replaces a series of 17 (!) locks that spanned 4 km in length, which at the time required a full day of navigation. Participants toured the facility and learned a wealth of interesting facts during a boat tour, and experienced the elevator ride downhill and uphill, each lasting 4 minutes, with a gradient of 41 degrees.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed lunch at a restaurant in Saverne, featuring typical Alsatian specialties. Two German-speaking tour guides then pointed out the sights of the picturesque town of Saverne, with its many charming half-timbered houses from different eras. In the center of town lies the Chateau des Rohan with its rose garden, somewhat reminiscent of Versailles. The Canal de la Marne (Rhine-Marne Canal) crosses the Grand Rue. It connects Vitry-le-François with Strasbourg. A lock in Saverne's town center allows boats to reach the local marina.

With many impressions from this eventful day, everyone started their journey home and once again agreed that, despite the rain, it was a wonderful day out under the motto “Lifelong Learning”.