Le canal de la Marne au Rhin à vélo connects Nancy and Strasbourg on the signed V52. France Vélo Tourisme presents the journey in four sections, following the canal and the valleys of the Sânon and Zorn through Lorraine and Alsace.
From Nancy into Lorraine
Begin with Nancy’s Place Stanislas before heading towards the marina and the canal. France Vélo Tourisme divides the first part of the ride at Parroy; on the way, the towers of the basilica at Saint-Nicolas-de-Port appear near the route. Lunéville and its château are an optional excursion from the canal corridor.
The V52 shares its route with La Voie Bleue as far as Laneuveville-devant-Nancy before turning towards Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. The route guide advises care on busy shared roads if leaving the itinerary for the basilica or for the attractions around Château de Montaigu. Beyond Crévic, the landscape becomes more rural, with the pond near Parroy providing a place to pause.
Locks, ponds and the Vosges
Between Parroy and Sarrebourg, the canal links several distinct stops. Lagarde has a marina, while Bataville at Moussey offers a glimpse of a company town built by entrepreneur Thomas Bata. The route also passes the landscapes around the Étang du Stock and the large lock at Réchicourt-le-Château.
Sarrebourg is a good place to look beyond the water: the Cordeliers chapel contains stained glass by Marc Chagall. Continuing towards Saverne, the route passes villages and wooded areas before entering the Vallée des Éclusiers. This former navigation corridor sits close to the Saint-Louis Arzviller inclined plane, a boat lift that replaced the old locks in 1969.
Saverne and the Alsace plain
At Lutzelbourg, the castle stands above the Zorn valley and makes an optional detour. Saverne follows, with the Château des Rohan close to its marina. The local tourist office also highlights the canal towpaths as a way to explore towards the inclined plane or Strasbourg.
From Saverne, V52 shares its course with EuroVelo 5 towards Strasbourg. The Zorn valley gives way to the more open Alsace plain; Hochfelden is a possible stop on the way. In Strasbourg, allow time for the historic centre, the Petite France quarter and the cathedral.
Planning the ride
France Vélo Tourisme suggests four sections: Nancy–Parroy, Parroy–Sarrebourg, Sarrebourg–Saverne and Saverne–Strasbourg. Use these towns to shape a shorter trip or a continuous journey, leaving time for the places and detours that interest you. The signs show V52 and the names of the towns served in both directions.
The itinerary combines cycleways with shared roads, so check the detailed stage descriptions when choosing your stops. France Vélo Tourisme lists stations at Nancy and Strasbourg and accommodation along the route; Explore Grand Est also identifies stations at Sarrebourg and Saverne. Check the applicable train and bicycle conditions before travelling.