Canal Saint-Martin

⭐ Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement, Paris) Canal Saint-Martin, located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, is one of the city’s most charming and peaceful spots. The canal stretches for about 4.5 km, linking the Bassin de la Villette to the River Seine through several locks and iron bridges. During summer, especially in July and August, tourists can enjoy watching the sightseeing boats pass through. When the boats approach, the upper bridges open up to let them pass — it’s a fascinating scene! After that, tourists can also walk across the bridge once it closes again. The canal is surrounded by large trees, cafés, and pedestrian paths where people sit by the water, chat, and enjoy snacks or picnics in the afternoon. It’s a perfect place to relax, take photos, or simply watch the boats glide by. A must-visit if you want to see a more local and peaceful side of Paris. 🌿🚤

A beautiful place to take a walk, have a picnic, or just sit by the water and enjoy the Parisian atmosphere. It feels more local and less touristy than other parts of the city, with plenty of cute cafés, bars, and little shops along the way. The iron bridges and tree-lined paths make it very picturesque, especially in the afternoon light. Sometimes it can get a bit crowded on sunny weekends, but overall it’s a charming and peaceful escape right in the middle of Paris.

We took some pastries and went to the canal and sat. It was pretty windy and calm and there were some people around the area chilling as well. Nice area. You might find the occasional crazy person though.

It's my religion. And also the main reason i always stay in the neighbourhood. Early morning walks after a stop at my fave bakery is life: the vibe, the view and the breeze.

Beautiful, peaceful place, great for a walk on a sunny day.

Canal Saint-Martin was just next to our Airbnb so we went to take a stroll along the canal, very peaceful walk and a lot of local jogging around.

This is one of our favourite parts to come for a peaceful walk, we love the grittiness of the surrounds, there are many places to sit and enjoy the tranquility, we also love the sparkling water dispensers scattered around.

My recent visit to Canal Saint-Martin in Paris felt like stepping into a calm pocket of the city. The tree-lined walkways, little iron footbridges, and slow-moving water make it perfect for a relaxed stroll. I loved watching locals picnic along the banks and boats passing through the old lock system—it gives the whole area a cozy, authentic vibe. The cafés around the canal are lively but not overwhelming, and the atmosphere feels very local, not overly touristy. It’s one of those places where you can just slow down, breathe, and enjoy Paris in a more peaceful way. I’d happily go back.

The sun goes down pretty early in January in France, so we didn't have a chance to come during the day. Thus, the greenway to the Southwest of the canals (Square Federick Lemaire) was closed (probably to keep people out during the night time). But the canal is well lit, and there were plenty of young and old men having a good time, smoking and drinking. On the eastern side of the canal, there are quite a few nice shops, and people were still shopping. On the western side is more industrial shops, with us walking past multiple home improvement shops focusing on flooring and tiles. We were not able see any of the locks in action, but were able to cross the bridges back and forth and take some nice pictures. it's definitely worth a stop if in the area, and i understand why it would be so beautiful in the spring for a leisurely walk in the daytime.

I've been trying to get to Canal Saint Martin since 2019 and every trip since has ended in disappointment. I was very determined not to let our visit to Canal Saint Martin go down the drain. I didn't want to take a riverboat cruise but simply grab a baguette sandwich and sit at one of the benches and enjoy the view. While Canal Saint Martin was very agréable, the Paris weather was not. Periods of rain made our picnic idea a soaking mess but we happened to catch a riverboat going up through the locks. Did you know ? Construction of the canal was ordered by Napoleon I in 1802 and construction took place until 1825, funded by a new tax on wine. The neighborhood was friendly and the views were stunning. We had a great time enjoying the sights even with the Paris rain. Best part of Canal Saint Martin is that it's free. There's no admission ticket or reservation to make. To get there via metro the 8 line takes you to République and from there it's a short walk.

One of my favorite places in Paris. Go for a stroll along the water, the sound of water falling as the locks open and close. Bring a book or a picnic. Every now and then a boat actually goes by. That's when the real action starts, as the bridges swivel to let them pass. You'll find lots if food options nearby. Part of the street becomes pedestrian-only on Sundays. Not many tourists. Photogenic. Go! You'll be delighted.

Not as nice as you may encounter in Amsterdam. The water is dirty, green. Lot of riff Raff hanging around. Packed on weekends.

Like an idiot, I was trying to game the system on Priceline and I got stuck with a hotel in Pantin. I had to lessen the damage by looking up places nearby and I am glad I accidentally got the Pantin hotel. I got to check out a different side of Paris that was less touristy. While searching for things to see, I found the canal. It's pretty cool to check out and its nice to stroll along and watch the boats go up and down the canal. Its a quite pleasant walk and just lively with all of the people out and about.

On the day we visited the canal, there was an antique fair going on, so maneuvering along its shore was difficult due to the crowding of people and the vendors wares. Tents were positioned along the banks which left little opportunity to see parts of the canal unless you walked through the pathway the shop owners had left. However, the antique fair added to the allure of the canal. How many tourists can say they walked the Canal Saint-Martin and shopped for antiques? While the canal is quaint and affords some photo ops, there really is no reason to go out of your way to see it.

Such a fun area to walk around and people watch. This is where the real Parisians go to hang out. Get some beer or wine and have a picnic next to the water, or opt for the cafe option. Plenty is see and experience around the canal.

This is such a pretty area...have fun walking around it, on a warm or wintry day! The views are beautiful and there's tons of dining spots to check out along the canal. Ahhh...

On any given evening in the spring,summer or fall - grab a baguette, some cheese, some lovely ham, cherry tomatoes and olives and the obligatory bottle(s) of wine (rose is perfect when it's warm) and enjoy a typical evening along the canal with hoards of younger and older Parisiennes as the sun sets and you prepare the rest of your night. don't forget (if you go without a basket) that disposable glasses, cutlery and a corkscrew will come in handy. As will an ease with sharing a bit of space with your fellow squatters on either bank of the tranquil canal. Walking disitance from Place Republique (metro) and close enough to dozens of places to go out afterwards - like the Hotel du Nord...this is how it's done.