Saint-Louis-Arzviller

canal, France

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane is a unique canal engineering feat in France. It replaces 17 locks and allows boats to ascend or descend 46 meters (150 feet) along a steep gradient of 1 in 2.5. Unlike other inclined planes where vessels move longitudinally, at Saint-Louis-Arzviller, boats are moved transversely. This innovative solution enables 300-ton vessels to navigate this challenging section of the waterway, significantly improving efficiency compared to traditional lock systems.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

canals and inland waterways - Inclined planes
Grand Canal d’Alsace
Canal du Midi

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

canals and inland waterways
Inclined planes
…Belgium, for 1,350-ton vessels; at Saint-Louis-Arzviller, France, for 300-ton vessels; and at Krasnoyarsk, Russia, for 1,500-ton vessels. At Ronquières and Krasnoyarsk, vessels are carried longitudinally up relatively gentle inclines with gradients of 1 in 21 and 1 in 12, respectively, while at Arzviller the site permitted only a steep gradient…
Read More
…Belgium, for 1,350-ton vessels; at Saint-Louis-Arzviller, France, for 300-ton vessels; and at Krasnoyarsk, Russia, for 1,500-ton vessels. At Ronquières and Krasnoyarsk, vessels are carried longitudinally up relatively gentle inclines with gradients of 1 in 21 and 1 in 12, respectively, while at Arzviller the site permitted only a steep gradient…
Read More
canals and inland waterways
Major inland waterways of Europe
…section the inclined plane of Saint-Louis-Arzviller deals with a difference in level of 44.5 meters (146 feet) with a horizontal length of 129 meters (422 feet). Two tanks each carry a 350-ton barge. Their 32 wheels run on four rails, and two sets of 14 cables connect the tanks to…
Read More
…section the inclined plane of Saint-Louis-Arzviller deals with a difference in level of 44.5 meters (146 feet) with a horizontal length of 129 meters (422 feet). Two tanks each carry a 350-ton barge. Their 32 wheels run on four rails, and two sets of 14 cables connect the tanks to…
Read More