You may have noticed them on your last cruise aboard one of our ships: the paintings of landscapes and flowers that adorn the corridors, lounges, and cabins. But do you know who created them?
They are the work of Gérard Schmitter, the founder of CroisiEurope, a man unlike any other entrepreneur. The son of a potter, an inventive technician, and an artist at heart, he revolutionized river cruising in France with a boldness and artistic vision that, nearly 50 years later, continue to flow along your favorite rivers.
Originally from Betschdorf, a village renowned for its salt sandstone, Gérard Schmitter grew up surrounded by handcrafted creations, learning to appreciate beauty in the details and to respect high-quality artisanal work.
After training at the School of Decorative Arts in Limoges, he left his hometown and explored various industrial sectors, from plastics to glass. It could have been a conventional career path, but his true journey toward innovation in leisure began in 1970 with the creation of Paradisland, a leisure park in Alsace Bossue. He had already realized that his passion lay in creating enjoyable experiences for others.
In 1976, the adventure continued with the opening of Rhinland in Plobsheim, a 500-seat waterfront restaurant. It was there that a simple yet innovative idea took root: to attract tourists from Strasbourg, he chartered a boat from the autonomous port of Strasbourg and organized day trips to his establishment, complete with tea dances on the water. The concept was unprecedented, and the success was immediate, so much so that a second boat quickly joined the venture. Then, in 1982, he took the decisive step of buying and renovating his own vessel: L'Alsace 1.
What followed was a story of unstoppable ambition. The trips became longer, overnight stays on board were introduced, and in the 1980s, four more boats joined the fleet: Hansi, Petite France, Kléber, and Kellermann. Thus, Alsace Croisières was born, launching the era of river cruising in France.
The year 1990 marked a true turning point, when the entrepreneur became a shipowner and commissioned his first boat, the MS Liberté. This vessel foreshadowed what was to come: 50 ships in 2026, sailing not only on the world’s most beautiful rivers but also, since 2008, on the seas.
The ships are built in Namur, Belgium; Saint-Nazaire, France; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This complete control over the entire process, from construction to marketing, has become a hallmark of the company. In 1997, Alsace Croisières was renamed CroisiEurope and set its sights on the international market.
What is less well known is that Gérard Schmitter never stopped being an artist. At his home in Eschau, Alsace, he painted, primarily in acrylics. Until his passing, he personally decorated nearly every wall of his ships with his artwork.
It was his way of maintaining a direct connection to what he had created. As a result, passengers, often without realizing it, travel surrounded by the works of this visionary. Bouquets of flowers, landscapes, all signed by Gérard Schmitter, adorn most of CroisiEurope’s ships.
He was a leader who knew how to work with clay and wield a paintbrush, and who refused to let his boats resemble standardized hotels.
This commitment to artistry, rooted in both his father’s craft and his training in Limoges, runs throughout the history of CroisiEurope. The craftsmen who outfit the ships continue his legacy, preserving his attention to detail and quest for authenticity.
Today, the family team that Gérard Schmitter assembled continues to carry forward his vision. The ships sail across Europe and around the world, and his artwork continues to shape the living spaces on board: a tangible, visible legacy that reminds us this story began with a potter’s son who loved to create with his hands.
The soul of CroisiEurope goes beyond the ships themselves; it is a philosophy that continues to inspire the teams: attention to every detail, a rejection of standardization, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity. All of this stems directly from the vision of a man who understood that the most beautiful journeys are those that touch the heart as much as they open horizons.
From the waters of Plobsheim to the Mediterranean coast, from the charter of a single boat to a fleet of 50 vessels, the history of CroisiEurope remains the story of a man who never chose between art and business. He did both, always, and right to the very end.
On your next cruise, take a moment to admire the paintings that line your route. You will discover the signature of a man who believed that beauty could transform a simple trip into an unforgettable experience.
Fifty years later, Gérard Schmitter’s legacy continues to sail with us across the waters of the world.
