A view of the longest river in Germany, the Rhine. The river flows over 800 miles through Germany, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The Rhine river flows here through Bacharach, Germany. This medieval town of 2,000 has a long history of war and violence, but today is a popular tourist destination for its wines, castles, and spectacular views. The river is a major European transportation artery, as seen by the tanker ship.