The most famous and most beautiful water canal in Paris connects the Seine River with another canal, the Bassin de la Villette. It is 4.5 km long and runs through a densely built-up area of residential neighbourhoods.
The canal was opened in 1825 and is relatively narrow, as it was originally intended only to supply drinking water. However, it later acquired a transport function and is now an extremely popular recreational area.
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Promenades, locks and swing bridges
On both sides of the Canal Saint-Martin, pedestrian promenades or at least walkways run the entire length between the street and the water.
As the canal runs through residential areas, traffic on the streets along the canal is light and therefore large sections of the promenades are de facto pedestrian zones.
Because the Saint-Martin Canal has an elevation of 25 metres, there is a system of 9 functional locks along its entire course.
There are also two swing bridges in two places due to the low banks, which always turn when a boat passes through the canal.
The swing bridges can be found at the following locations. Click on the name for the location on the map:
Boat cruises on the canal
Although the canal and especially the locks seem very narrow at first glance, relatively large boats can navigate the canal.
Cruises are operated by Paris Canal and during the trip you will sail the entire Canal Saint-Martin up to the Bassin de la Villette area. You will leave from the Musée d'Orsay's dock, so you can also enjoy a cruise on the Seine.
A large part of the cruise is even in a tunnel!
The boats only leave twice a day, so it is almost essential to book online at least 1 week in advance, especially in summer.
Moreover, the boats do not sail every day. For a detailed timetable and to book online, visit: pariscanal.com.
Prices are as follows:
- 25 eur - Adults
- 20 eur - minors 15-25 years and seniors over 60 years
- 15 eur - children up to 14 years old
Hotels with canal view
Although you can stay in several private apartments along the Canal Saint-Martin, there is only one classic hotel that offers a view of the canal from your room.
In addition, the Hotel Le Citizen *** is right next to one of the swing bridges.
Check rates and availability at Le Citizen Hotel
How to get there
As the Canal Saint-Martin is over 4 km long, there are many public transport stops along it.
Which are the nearest ones?
- République 400 metres from the canal
- Metro 3 - Opera, Gare Saint-Lazare, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
- Metro 5 - Bastille, Jardin des Plantes, Place d'Italie, Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord, Gare d'Austerlitz
- Metro 8 - Opera, Madeleine, Concorde, Invalidovna, Champ de Mars, Bastille, Zoo
- Metro 9 - Champs-Elysées, Trocadéro, Nation, Pont de Sevres
- Metro 11 - Pompidou, Chatelet, Belleville
- Gare de l'Est 450 metres from the canal
- Metro 4 - Montmartre, Chatelet, Cité, Latin Quarter, Gare Montparnasse, Catacombs
- Metro 5 - see above
- Metro 7 - Opera, Louvre, Palais Royal, Chatelet
- Jaures right at the northern end of the canal
- Metro 2 - Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, Arc de Triomphe, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Nation
- Metro 5 - see above
- Metro 7B - Quartier de la Mouzaïa
- Jules Ferry right by the canal
- Bus 20 - Opera, Belleville, Gare Saint-Lazare
- Bus 75 - Centre Pompidou, Chatelet, Cité, Latin Quarter, Pantheon
- Canal Saint-Martin right by the canal
- Bus 46 - Reuilly-Diderot, Chateau Vincennes
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