The Canal de la Marne au Rhin is a significant navigable canal in northeastern France, located in the Grand Est region, connecting the Marne River with the Rhine River. Spanning approximately 313 kilometers, it stretches from Vitry-le-François on the Marne to Strasbourg on the Rhine, linking various waterways such as the Canal latéral à la Marne, the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne, the Moselle, and the Canal des Vosges. Opened in 1853, it was the longest canal in France at the time, designed to connect Paris and northern France with Alsace, Lorraine, the Rhine, and Germany.The canal traverses a diverse landscape, from the valleys of the Marne tributaries Saulx and Ornain, over the watershed between the Marne and Meuse at Mauvages, to the Moselle Valley. It is renowned for its engineering feats, including the spectacular Saint-Louis/Arzviller boat lift, operational since 1969, which replaces 17 locks and lifts boats in a 41-meter-long concrete trough by 44.5 meters. The canal also features four tunnels, including the 388-meter-long Arzviller tunnel, and canal bridges, such as the one over the Moselle.Designed for Freycinet-standard vessels (max. 38.5 m length, 5.05 m width), the canal includes numerous locks, many of which are automated in the Strasbourg region and operated by remote control. A standout is the Réchicourt-le-Château deep lock, with a 16-meter drop, the highest lock in France for Freycinet-sized vessels. The canal section between Saverne and Gondrexange offers a lock-free summit level of about 33 kilometers, providing a relaxing journey. Along the route, charming towns like Nancy, Saverne, and Lutzelbourg invite cultural exploration, while the surrounding nature, including the Lorraine Regional Natural Park and the Vosges Mountains, impresses.