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Canal Saint-Martin
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Canal Saint-Martin

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Canal Saint-Martin
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#138 of 4,091 things to do in Paris
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This picturesque canal, an extension of the River Seine, is a pleasant place for a boat ride or a summer stroll.
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Top ways to experience Canal Saint-Martin and nearby attractions

The area
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Neighbourhood: Canal Saint-Martin
The tree-lined Canal Saint-Martin is the focal point of one of the most romantic and hip areas of Paris. Watch boats travel along the canal while lovers and friends take in the atmosphere from the banks or the bridges. Evenings see hoards fill the embankments to drink wine and enjoy good company. The colder days lead people to hipster bars, cozy restaurants, and concert spaces. Those who are more adventurous may explore hidden gems down nearby streets, from local bars to futuristic architecture. With its enriching mix of people of all ages and backgrounds, this neighbourhood has a dynamic, inspiring vibe.
How to get there
  • République • 4 min walk
  • Goncourt • 4 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
L'Angélus Du Canal
124
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Healthy
Habile.
297
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Picotte
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0.3 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Healthy
De l'Autre Cote
370
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian friendly
Siseng
603
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Healthy
Les Fondus de la Raclette Paris 11° - Parmentier
144
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • French • Swiss • Barbecue
Fric-Frac Canal St-Martin
282
0.5 km$ • French • European • Street Food
Du Pain et des Idées
975
0.4 km$ • Bakeries • French • European
Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes
551
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520
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Attractions
4,881 within 10 kms
Buste de Frederick Lemaitre
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35 mMonuments & Statues
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Statue La Grisette
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Place de la République
369
0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fresque "Husky et cobra"
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Fresque Veracité
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0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Fresque Baghera-9 Patchwork
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Square Jules-Ferry
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See what travellers are saying
  • John K
    Perth, Australia331 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating work of engineering and construction.
    We really enjoyed this experience. We chose a morning booking and on reflection think this is the best time of day to make this trip. Fascinating engineering and construction for its time. Very enjoyable and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Paris. We started this trip from Paris and finished at the Palais Des Glaces which is a very interesting community hub and worth taking some time to stroll around. All things considered, a very stimulating and relaxing half day experience.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 13, 2023
  • Denise
    Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom415 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We did an amazing boat tour with Paris canal boat .
    This was such a pleasurable experience with all ages and Bruno's commentary in English and French excellent . Very reasonable for 2.5 hours and finishing at pont neuf . Going through 9 locks and seeing a historic side of Paris life . Excellent value for money . Paris canal is the company . And they give discount for seniors too.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 18, 2024
  • Mrpeirup
    Copenhagen, Denmark37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Perfect Spot to Experience Paris Like a Local
    After having visited Paris a several times, we decided to head to Canal Saint Martin on a Saturday to see how Parisians spend their weekends. It’s a truly charming area, filled with cozy brasseries and a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. The canal adds to the charm, and it’s the perfect spot to take a leisurely stroll or sit down for a drink. If you’re looking for an authentic and less touristy experience, I highly recommend spending some time here. Go and enjoy this delightful part of Paris!
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,419 reviews
Excellent
510
Very good
572
Average
210
Poor
80
Terrible
47
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
tk3232
Sugar Land, TX4,269 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Not recommended
Sept 2022
You can't imagine, what the a boring "cruise" is this. We chose the cruise "Old Paris" (departure from metro Bastille and arrival to park Villette) that offered in the description the passage of 4 locks and 2 drawbridges. In fact, there are many more locks on this route, and tourists begin to yawn and fall asleep after the passage of the second one. Duration 2h 30 min and this time lasted indefinitely due to the monotony and lack of spectacle. Cost 20 euros per adult. Cruise team provides a bilingual guide (French and English) but with the last specified language, the guide did not succeed.

We took seats on the upper open deck, but this was our mistake, in the last part of the cruise we went down to the lower deck, where everything was better seen around and tourists with their clicking cameras did not jump all the time in front of us, wanting to capture themselves at every point on the route. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is that in those 2.5 hours (which together with the metro ride back and forth is 3.5 hours) our legs just rested from running around Paris. And yet, I was sorry for the wasted time.
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Etienne V
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sympa. Prévoir un casque audio et un livre sur Paris pour éviter les commentaires du guide... ;-)
Jul 2022 • Friends
A nice way to discover the "canal saint-martin" and its tunnel under the "place de la République".
But I must say it's also a way to dicover how a french guide speaks english: difficult to understand. I don't speak english perfectly, but I couldn't imagine that a guide could try to speak english like that... ;-) I hope his english teachers won't ever hear him...
Les tentatives d'humour du guide laissent de marbre.
Mais la visite est très atypique, à faire.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia34,642 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The only waterway in Paris outside the Seine.
Jul 2023 • Solo
Many of us come to Paris on the principle of déjà vu- already seen. The names of the streets are familiar, since Balzac, Dumas, Maupassant, Hugo read it. You may not have read about the Canal Saint-Martin, but you may have seen it in the cult film Amélie. In it, Amelie, sung by Audrey Tattoo, liked to throw "pancakes" from the bridge over the canal. By the way, that bridge was renamed Canal Saint-Martin Pont d'Amélie. It was once a full canal, real with shipping. Nine locks remain from that time. The canal connected a tributary of the Marne - Urk with the Seine. However, navigation has now come to a halt. It began in the Second Empire under Napoleon III. To pave the Grand Boulevards, a 2-kilometer section of the canal had to be rolled under asphalt. It is now facing the light near the Place de la République where we once lived. In recent years, this part of the 10th and 19th arrondissements has wanted to roll back, but Parisians have objected. After all, we live more on our feet than in cars? St. Martin remains the only waterway in Paris outside the Seine. A place where you can just walk. Without crowds or noise...
Automatically translated
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrpeirup
Copenhagen, Denmark37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A Perfect Spot to Experience Paris Like a Local
Sept 2024 • Couples
After having visited Paris a several times, we decided to head to Canal Saint Martin on a Saturday to see how Parisians spend their weekends. It’s a truly charming area, filled with cozy brasseries and a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere. The canal adds to the charm, and it’s the perfect spot to take a leisurely stroll or sit down for a drink. If you’re looking for an authentic and less touristy experience, I highly recommend spending some time here. Go and enjoy this delightful part of Paris!
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,803 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Parks and Pedestrian areas
Jun 2022
This area has gradually improved over the years with the addition of more pedestrian spaces and more park area for sitting and resting. Also the landscape has grown in. It's been gentrified with the new clothing boutiques. It is very romantic and one of the most beautiful areas of the city in the summer.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dancing-freak
Tel Aviv, Israel1,257 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
A Restful Boat Ride
May 2023
A boat ride on the Saint Martin canal is a nice thing to do in case you have some extra free hours. The trip runs either way from the Vuilettes to Arsenal or v.v., passes through neighborhoods that definitely are a part of Paris, but are much less crowded. The boat goes through 8 locks that take care of the difference in height at both ends of the canal. The boat also passes through two tunnels underneath streets. At its southern end the tunnel has wide holes in the ceiling through which light and fresh air enter. This is where the canal passes underneath the Place de la Bastille.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucie1866
California1,405 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Miss
Sept 2021
I didn't understand (and still do not) the fascination with this canal and its surroundings. There are many people sitting alongside this canal which is not attractive as it's murky and the seating ledge is narrow and full of bird droppings. Reminded me of Haight St. in San Francisco except it has a canal.

There are far more scenic and much cleaner places in Paris to sit and visit.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Perth, Australia331 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fascinating work of engineering and construction.
Jun 2023 • Couples
We really enjoyed this experience. We chose a morning booking and on reflection think this is the best time of day to make this trip.
Fascinating engineering and construction for its time.
Very enjoyable and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
We started this trip from Paris and finished at the Palais Des Glaces which is a very interesting community hub and worth taking some time to stroll around. All things considered, a very stimulating and relaxing half day experience.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana T
58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Hurry up before the horde of tourists gets there!
Oct 2021 • Family
Picturesque neighborhood. Feels like the Seine Canals a century ago. Good choices of restaurants, We had lunch at Le Prune. Formule and a wine right beside the canal w/ a view.
I could notice many locals having lunch, so I guess it’s still a very preserved area.
Written October 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neilpsn
Perth, Australia15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Canal Saint Martin boat trip
Sept 2023 • Couples
Took a boat from the jetty opposite Musee d'Orsay along the Seine and into the Canal Saint Martin and the first of its multiple lock gates. Views along the river are always great, but I'd never been along the canal. Great commentary added to this wonderfully interesting trip. The covered sections of the canal and the history behind this were fascinating. The later sections of the boat ride (I took the 1 way trip) were through parts of Paris I hadn't visited before, so a few hours after getting off of the boat led to more happy wandering and exploring. I would recommend this trip.
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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CANAL SAINT-MARTIN - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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