CANAL SAINT-MARTIN

Description

Essentials about Canal Saint-Martin in brief

Canal Saint-Martin will be rather unknown to most visitors to Paris, as the canal is almost never mentioned in the list of the city’s sights. Nevertheless, the shipping canal in the east of Paris is definitely worth a detour, because here you can participate in the bustling life of the locals, who have the canal firmly in their hearts (especially on nice days).

The history and the course of Canal Saint-Martin

Canal Saint-Martin connects the Bassin de la Villette with the Seine at the Port de l’Arsenal in a north-south direction and is part of the 130 kilometer long Paris canal network. For almost half of its 4.5 kilometer length, the canal runs in a tunnel. It was built in the early 19th century to provide clean water for fountains, street and canal cleaning, as well as to expand traffic and trade routes within the city. In 1825 the canal was finally opened and from the middle of the 19th century it was partly laid underground.

The charm of Canal Saint-Martin

Canal Saint-Martin, lined with chestnut trees and squares, now runs through increasingly popular residential areas. The formerly rather poor working-class neighborhoods on both sides of the canal have been upgraded and gradually gentrified in recent years. Special attractions are the five locks and two swing bridges. The banks of the canal are lined with cafes, bars and bistros where locals (and smarttravelers) meet for brunch, dinner or a drink. And if you want, you can also experience the canal from the water on a boat trip.