[1] For convenience this entry covers the entire waterway in France, including the canalised river.

After a private company failed in 1844, the State took over the project and started works in 1861, to be completed in 1867.

Although predating the Freycinet programme by nearly 20 years, it was built directly to these dimensions, justified by the volume of coal to be exported from the Saar collieries in Germany.

Through navigation down to the Moselle near Trier, 90 km beyond Saarbrücken, is possible, thanks to canalisation of the Saar in Germany.

The cross-border connection was blocked for two years following closure of the first lock in Germany, at Güdingen, but was expected to be reopened in 2017.