Visiting Canal Saint-Martin in Paris? Looking for a nice walk, shops, restaurants or a boat trip along Canal Saint-Martin? Canal Saint-Martin is a lively district in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, known for its charming atmosphere and trendy addresses. You can shop, eat well, visit art galleries or spot Parisians picnicking along the water.
Canal Saint-Martin is ideal for a walk in spring or summer. From Canal Saint-Martin you can also take a popular boat tour along locks and underground canals. Via the Seine you then sail to Musée d’Orsay. The boat tour starts at Bassin de la Villette and takes about 2.5 hours. Or you can also take the boat trip in the opposite direction from Musée d’Orsay.
This neighborhood is the ideal place to discover a different, less touristy side of Paris. There are no famous sights in Canal Saint-Martin. We also share a short walk through this great neighborhood. These are the best places, restaurants, hotspots and the best tips for a visit to Canal Saint-Martin.
TIP: nice hotels near Canal Saint-Martin are La Planque Hotel and Hotel Taylor
• Fun to do: Tickets Cruise on the Seine by Bateaux Mouches (1h) →
• Nice combo: Tickets Louvre Museum + Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor or Summit →
1. The Canal Saint-Martin district: what you need to know and a bit of history
The Canal Saint-Martin district is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine. It is a 4.5 km long canal that connects the Bassin de la Villette to the Seine. In total, it has nine locks and two swing bridges. The canal itself winds through the neighborhood, surrounded by shady plane trees, cast iron bridges and cozy cafés. Once a major waterway for freight transport, the area is now popular with artists and creatives for its bohemian atmosphere.
The Canal Saint-Martin was built in 1802 by order of Napoleon to provide Paris with more water and food, and opened in 1825. During the redevelopment of Paris in the 1850s, Baron Haussmann had parts of the canal covered to make room for wide boulevards, such as Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. From the Place de la République, the canal runs underground and boats sail through tunnels towards the Seine. The canal is completely drained approximately every fourteen years. The last time was in January 2016.
2. Boat tour from Canal Saint-Martin to Musée d’Orsay (or vice versa)
From Canal Saint-Martin you can take a boat trip that takes you through a network of locks, underground canals and the Seine all the way to the Musée d’Orsay. The cruise starts at Bassin de la Villette, takes about 2.5 hours and shows you Paris in a unique way. Along the way you will pass Bastille and many photogenic locks with height differences.
The end point of this boat trip is the impressive Musée d’Orsay, famous for its collection of impressionist art. You can also book the boat trip in the opposite direction, from Musée d’Orsay to Canal Saint-Martin.
• Tickets boat tour Parc de la Villette to Musée d’Orsay (2.5 hours) →
• Tickets boat tour Musée d’Orsay to Parc de la Villette (2.5 hours) →
• Overview of all Seine cruises + combination tickets →
3. Some fun tips for things to do in this trendy area: from shopping to swimming
• Boutique and vintage shopping: Canal Saint-Martin is also a great place to go shopping. Explore the shopping streets of rue Beaurepaire and rue de Marseille, where you will find great concept stores, second-hand shops and independent fashion stores.
• Picnicking along the canal: pick up a treat from a local baker (such as Du Pain et des Idées) or delicatessen and sit down on the quay. Especially when the weather is nice, the locals come here en masse with wine, cheese and baguettes.
• Swimming in Canal Saint-Martin: in the summer you can swim in Canal Saint-Martin during Paris Plages. With sun loungers and parasols, you can fully enjoy your summer holiday.
• Admire street art: along the canal you will find many colourful murals and graffiti. Especially around Point Éphémère, a cultural centre with a creative vibe.
• Browsing books and records: pop into small second-hand bookshops or vinyl shops in the many side streets. The Artazart bookshop is definitely recommended!
• Marché Saint-Quentin: on Sunday mornings, you can visit the famous Marché Saint-Quentin, where you can find fresh produce, local delicacies and artisanal specialities.
4. Walk along Canal Saint-Martin to Bassin de la Villette
A walk through the Canal Saint-Martin district is a great way to discover the real, relaxed Paris.
• Starting point: Place de la République
• End point: Bassin de la Villette
• Number of km: 2.5 km
• Duration: 35 minutes
– Start your route at Place de la République and walk towards Canal Saint-Martin, which is nearby.
– You will soon be walking under the green trees and along the iconic cast iron bridges where lovers take photos and locals sit on the quay with an espresso or an inspiring book.
– You will pass boutiques, vintage shops and cozy cafés, such as the popular Chez Prune or Du Pain et des Idées, known for its delicious pistachio escargots. On the Google Maps map below you can discover the best hotspots along the route!
– You can walk along both sides of the canal. The east side is called Quai de Jemmapes and the west side Quai de Valmy. – Walk along the water to the Bassin de la Villette. The walk takes about 30 minutes.
– Still have energy left? Afterwards, take a walk through the beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and have a drink on the terrace of Rosa Bonheur Buttes Chaumont.
5. Our favorite places and restaurants for delicious food and drinks
The Canal Saint-Martin area in Paris is full of great restaurants, cafés, bakeries and lots of little shops. Looking for a picnic on one of the quays? There are great cheese, charcuterie and wine shops in this area that will fill your picnic basket in no time.
• Du Pain et des Idées: this beautiful bakery is famous for its pain des amis and escargot pistachio chocolat. Usually a queue, but well worth the wait.
• Ten Belles: small but nice coffee shop popular with locals and tourists. Go for a flat white and a cinnamon roll.
• Holybelly 5: a brunch favourite for many in Paris. Delicious pancakes, eggs and bacon and original specials. There is also usually a queue here, especially on weekends.
• Chez Prune: lively café right on the canal. Perfect for a glass of wine or a pastis while people-watching from the terrace. A bit chaotic, but very cosy.
• Hôtel du Nord: not just any restaurant on the Quai de Jemmapes, but a famous film location for the 1938 film of the same name.
• Le Verre Volé: relaxed bistro and wine bar with natural wines and seasonal dishes. Great for lunch or dinner with a Parisian atmosphere.
• La Marine: nice neighbourhood bistro with escargots, fresh oysters or tarte tatin on the menu. Cosy interior with an old, curved zinc bar and striking chandelier.
• Le Comptoir General: hotspot with a boho mix of vintage, antique furniture and plants. It is a café, bar, restaurant, nightclub and even a small thrift store.
• Breizh Café: the place to go for delicious authentic crêpes from Brittany, both savoury galettes and sweet desserts.
• Early June: natural wine bar a stone’s throw from Le Verre Volé. The menu features small Spanish dishes in a small, rustic dining room with whitewashed walls, wooden tables, old French school chairs and an open kitchen.
