Breil Guide 22 Le Rhin

The Rhine has its source in the Swiss Alps on the flanks of the Saint Gothard mountain range. It then crosses Switzerland, Austria and Germany before watering the low pains of Holland. During the course of its journey of more than 1,300 km, it receives the waters of a fluvial basin of about 200,000 km2. The secondary basins of the Meuse and the Escaut are also part of the principal Rhine basin. From the source to the sea, the river is divided into seven big sections: the Alpine Rhine, the lake of Constance, the High Rhine, the Upper Rhine, the Middle Rhine, the lower Rhine and the Rhine delta.

In this guide we are going to follow the navigable section of the Upper Rhine as well as the Grand Canal d’Alsace, an artificial waterway which replaces, for navigation purposes, the loops and shallows of the old river between Basel and Strasbourg. To cruise on these waters you need a fairly powerful boat and a perfect knowledge of local rules and regulations. In the introduction to this guide you will find all the information you need on these subjects.

Even though it is also covered in our guide n° 4, Alsace Lorraine, you will also find the northern branch of the Rhône-Rhine Canal as well as the branch leading to the very attractive port of Colmar.