Go by metro to the Republique station (Lines 3, 5, 9, 11) and walk over to the canal. You will be in the 10th arrondissement, in the northeast part of Paris and quite far removed from the attractions of the city center. There are two pedestrian streets running along each side of the canal, the Quai de Valmy and the Quai de Jemmapes, perfect for a stroll or a bike ride and people and dog watching. There are lots of cafes, restaurants and boutiques as the area has been gentrified in recent years. However, what I like about the Canal Saint-Martin is the mix of the authentic and the new: the iron footbridges that cross the canal, and the older industrial buildings that still house real commercial businesses. You can book a boat tour of the canal. Walk past the Hotel du Nord, featured in the 1938 Marcel Carne movie, that has become a must dining and drinking spot for Parisian bobos.
There are great little restaurants in all Paris neighborhoods, and you might want to try a bar a vins called Le Verre \ble, 67, rue Lancry, Paris 10 (Tel: +33 (0)1 48 03 17 34) Metro Jacques Bonsergent (Line 5), that started out as a wine merchant and epicerie (a delicatessen/grocery) and which owner Cyril Bordarier expanded into a no-frills restaurant serving delicious, traditional French cuisine. The place has a wonderful ambiance and it is a favorite of Parisians from all over the city. Better to call to reserve if you plan to dine there over the weekend.
If you continue north, you will come to the Bassin de la Villette, (n° 4) and the Parc de la Villette (n° 34 ).
Canal Saint-Martin Paris Photo Gallery
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