Canal St Martin, Paris
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Canal Saint Martin - by Vince Duque on Unsplash
Description
The Canal Saint Martin connects the Canal de l'Ourcq (that crosses the Parc de La Villette) to the river Seine, at the Port de l'Arsenal (in the Bastille neighbourhood), the main port for boats visiting and berthing in the city. It is 4.6km long, 2km of which are covered so that the main area pedestrians can visit is between République (at the Passerelle des Douanes) and the Bassin de la Villette, after the Jaurès metro station. This is the area covered by this review. The canal was built at the beginning of the 19th century to supply the growing city with fresh water and help avoid diseases such as cholera and dysentery. It was also used to bring in grains, commodities and building materials. Today, the canal is popular for the many restaurants lining its quays, its photogenic cast-iron footbridges, locks (there are 9), and its boat cruises.
Access & Transport
Along the main 2km stretch, there are many métro station options (and bus lines): Jaurès (2, 5, 7B) and Stalingrad (2, 5, 7) at the northern end, Gare de l'Est (4, 5, 7, RER E) around the middle of the stretch and République (3, 5, 8, 9, 11), Temple (3) and Goncourt (11) at the southern end.
Instructions & Recommendations
Ideally you would want to pick a sunny day, or at least not rainy. A walk along the canal can be enjoyed any time, from early morning to dusk but many restaurants and cafés will only start to operate late morning. This activity is best combined with a visit to Parc de La Villette / City of Sciences and Industry, République / Oberkampf neighbourhood or the Enfants-Rouges market.
Environmental & Social
The activity has no carbon footprint (unless you take a boat cruise) Helps spread the commercial benefits to less fashionable neighbourhoods
Conclusion
The Canal Saint Martin is a nice alternative to the more crowded and touristy areas of the city, but it is not a highlight in the standard tourist sense. Rather, it is an enjoyable stretch that makes for a lazy half-day walk / sitting at a café for residents or return visitors who have ticked off the main Parisian attractions and are looking for something more local.
Key positive
The canal, locks and footbridge make for something different to see and photograph
Quite easy to get to
Some enjoyable restaurants and cafés options
Key negative
No standout monument or attraction
Some visitors may not really enjoy it
Suitability
The quays are mostly accessible to visitors with reduced mobility but crossing over the footbridges will not be possible - the standard bridges will solve that issue.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 30m
est. visit time:1h 45m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo