Visit the Canal Saint-Martin: a stroll in the heart of authentic Paris

The Canal Saint-Martin is a landmark of the French capital. It offers walkers a peaceful, bucolic setting right in the heart of Paris, and is a favourite with art and culture lovers. Find out why it's essential to visit this Parisian jewel on foot, by bike or by boat, and how to make the most of it.

The Canal Saint-Martin has served as a backdrop for many films and television series. Le Clan des Siciliens, Hôtel du Nord and Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulin are all famous films that have made the canal a privileged location in their plot. Recently, the series Emily in Paris has also highlighted the magnificent and breathtaking settings of the canal. Emily likes to walk there and often meets the handsome Gabriel there at the end of the evening.

An idyllic setting to relax

The Canal Saint-Martin is a haven of peace from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its banks are a regular spot for picnics, walks or just relaxing with friends and family. The terraces of the cafés and restaurants lining the canal are also popular places to enjoy a gourmet break by the water.

From the beginning of spring and the change to summer time, Parisians enjoy meeting there for an aperitif. Then, the Canal Saint-Martin is transformed into a monumental and friendly bar.

The 10th arrondissement, where the Canal Saint-Martin is located, is a mecca of Parisian culture. It is home to numerous art galleries, theaters and concert halls. In addition, the Nuit Blanche event, which takes place every year in June, offers the opportunity to discover works by artists of all generations and nationalities along the canal.

A historic district to discover

Beyond its cultural life, the Canal Saint-Martin also allows you to delve into the history of Paris. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it bears witness to the industrial past of the capital. You can admire its locks, its metal bridges and its typical buildings of the period.

Just like its neighbour the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Canal Saint-Martin was Napoleon’s will. The emperor had made water distribution one of his priorities. And since 1862, a tunnel running under the square has connected the Canal Saint-Martin to the Arsenal basin and then to the Seine. Thus, the Canal Saint-Martin, like an underground canal, runs under the central reservation of the boulevards du Temple and Richard Lenoir and every day boats pass under the Place de la Bastille in the greatest discretion!

To visit the Canal Saint-Martin and make the most of it, here are some tips:

• Take a walk on foot or by bike: walking along the banks of the canal will allow you to discover its peaceful atmosphere and its many architectural and historical points of interest. Please note: on Sundays, traffic is closed to motorized vehicles!

• Embark on a river cruise: several companies offer boat cruises on the canal, giving you unique views of the locks, tunnels and bridges that line it. To discover the secrets of the canal, consider going with a guide.

If you embark at the Port de l’Arsenal, you will pass by boat under the Place de la Bastille! An original experience that is little known to Parisians.

• Participate in cultural events: Nuit Blanche, exhibitions, concerts… Don’t miss the many events that bring the 10th arrondissement to life throughout the year.
• Taste the local gastronomy: the terraces of the restaurants and cafés along the canal are ideal for enjoying a good meal or a drink in an enchanting setting.

Taste the local gastronomy: the terraces of the restaurants and cafés along the canal are ideal for enjoying a good meal or a drink in an enchanting setting.

Beyond its natural and architectural setting, the canal offers several perspectives for visits for anyone wishing to discover the Paris of Parisians:

• Place de la Bastille: is an active center of Parisian life, a meeting point, where many metro lines intersect. Bars, restaurants, theaters... bring this historic and highly symbolic square to life. The July Column, 52 m high, with the Genius of Liberty at its top, stands in the middle of the square. The sculptor of the Genius of Liberty, Auguste Dumont, is also the one who created the sculpture of Napoleon I as Roman Emperor, on the Vendôme Column. Although off the beaten track, Place de la Bastille is worth a visit!
• Le Jardin Villemin:Created in 1977 on the site of a former military hospital, this park is, despite its small size, the largest in the 10th arrondissement. Since 2005, it has housed the first shared garden, the Poireau Agile, grown in a public garden.

• Place Stalingrad: located at the northern end of the canal, at the junction with the Bassin de la Villette, was redeveloped in the 2000s to become a pleasant place, very popular with Parisians. La Rotonde Stalingrad, which has become a charming café, originally belonged to a city wall. It was in fact one of the gates of Paris where you sometimes had to pay a toll to enter.

As you can see, visiting the Canal Saint-Martin is an unmissable experience when staying in Paris. Whether it’s to relax, discover local history and culture, take a guided tour or simply enjoy a friendly moment with family or friends, this charming place will seduce you.