Once lined with factories and warehouses, the promenades along the banks of the Canal St Martin are now among the most sought-after spots for an open-air aperitif. With its locks, its swing and lift bridges that give it all its charm, the Canal carries the history of a vanished industrial Paris. The waterway projects envisioned by Louis XIV were not carried out until the 19th century, to irrigate green spaces, supply fountains, and remove waste.
We will set off from the Gare de l’Est and make our way up along the Canal, passing footbridges, locks, and small cafés, until we reach the bassin de la Villette, one of the most important river ports of the past and the largest artificial body of water in Paris. Through two centuries of history, we will explore the curiosities of a neighborhood once populated by washerwomen and workers, and now a true place to live with undeniable charm. It also provides an idyllic backdrop for filmmakers: remember the stone-skipping scene in Le Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, or Hôtel du Nord with Louis Jouvet! A bucolic stroll in the heart of Parisian bustle.
Price: €18/person
Source: paris.fr — photo: SLP