The Canals of Paris

Walking along this wide park-like boulevard near La Bastille, one is unaware of the secret that lies below.

Look carefully at this photo.

(Hint: Enlarge the photo by clicking on it.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carefully look at the green plants in the foreground. Notice the metal grates…pyramid style?

Now look at this photo.

Notice the light coming through the roof.

(Remember, you can click on the photo to enlarge it.)

That light is coming through that metal grate hiding among the greenery.

Welcome to the canal system of Paris, France.

Today we travel the Saint Martin canal (Canal Saint-Martin).

Our journey will start at the Seine and travel north east to Villette Park.

We board our Canauxrama canal boat at Port de l’Arsenal (in the vicinity of the Bastille and the new Opera house…I know that is a large area, but it helps to get your bearings).

Interesting fact: Port de l’Arsenal, the new Paris Marina,

was built in the old moat of the fort of La Bastille.

Now we are sailing beneath Boulevard Richard Lenoir.

Can your brain now put together the two photos above?

We are sailing through a 2 km long underground stone vault built by Haussmann (when Paris was redesigned). The vault was originally ventilated and lit by 37 lanterns (today we would likely call them sky-lights) built into the boulevard.

Upon leaving the stone vault we sail up the canal (“up” because the elevation rises as we head north) with the help of several locks. Cover your camera as the spray becomes quite thick!

Canal Saint-Martin is lined with deciduous trees which create a park-like feeling as you peacefully sail along. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sail through in each of the seasons! It would be a different experience each time.

While there are several pedestrian bridges crossing the canal (click on the photo for a bigger view),  there are fewer crossings for vehicles. I wonder how many traffic jams this creates!The architecture changes as we continue on our journey. You can identify some of the buildings and their historical significance by following along in the brochure we were given at the start of the cruise.

(Remember…the lady gave us a choice of languages…our English brochure is a bright orange color, German is light blue, etc.)

Just for fun, glance around the boat to see where people are from. Hmm…mostly French, then German, a few English, several Japanese….interesting, eh.

We are now in the Bassin de la Villette so it is more spacious.

Look over there. That is Rotonde de la Villette which used to be a toll house but now it is the home of Paris’ archaeological department.

(Remember, you can click on any photo to enlarge it.) 

We (Canal Saint Martin) are not the only canal entering Canal de l’Ourcq.

Aside: Ourqc river supplies water to the canals.

Here is another boat entering…this one from Canal St. Denis.

Where shall we go next?

Lots of choices, aren’t there.

Let’s just follow Canal de L’Ourcq…

rather modern design, isn’t it.

Science Park…that globe houses something interesting!

This is all part of Parc de la Villette which lines the canal for a considerable distance. Very modern, almost ultra modern, designs here. What a wonderful place for families (and tourists!)

So, now that we have disembarked, where shall we go?

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Happy travels!