Travel Tips

The Saint Martin channel was set up in 1825 after 20 years of works. Its length is 4.5 kilometers.

A part of the Canal between La Bastille and the Avenue de la République is covered. You walk on the Canal when you are on the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir.

The following pics are messed up.

No. It is still Paris.

An other face of the French capital which has several channels.

We are here in the 19° arrondissement (Métro : Corentin Cariou) at the Bassin de la Villette.

Look at the boats passing the locks.

The Canal has several mobile bridges. This one is a lifting bridge. Others slide on the side like scissors.

All the mecanisms are ancient and still on duty.

The most famous word of the French cinema was pronunciated on the Saint Martin Canal.

In a film named the "HOTEL DU NORD" made before WW II, Arletty said to Louis Jouvet :
"Atmosphere, atmosphere, how I have a face of atmosphere".

She stayd on one of the footbridges which cross the channel.

The Hotel du Nord still exists.

At the crossing of the Saint Denis Channel and the Ourcq Channel.

It would be really pleasant to awake on the morning and to contemplate this image.

The Channel, now empty, goes in the North - East suburbs.

La Villette is an ancient village neaby Paris, included within the capital in 1860.

This museum presents several exibits about sciences. The children can make experiments and the adults are concerned by the great topics presented.

Do not miss the Géode (360° movie) and the planetarium.

Address : 30 avenue Corentin Cariou (Métro : Porte de la Villette)

10 AM - 6 PM (Sunday : 7PM)

Price : 50FF (full tour) or 35FF (Saturday)- Free < 7 old.

See the travelogue dedicated to this museum.

Leaving the Bassin de la Villette, we go SW on the Canal Saint Martin.

There are several boat companies which propose tours. They last near 3 hours (because of the locks) and cost 12 to 15 Euros. Excepted, the covered part of the channel, you do not see more than by foot.