Paris is a city built of magnificent structures and wandering waterways and paths. For those who are interested in a journey through the canals of Paris, there is much to behold.
The Seine River is the source of these canals. Its waterways navigate through different portions of the town. While it is possible to cruise down the Seine, exploring some of these extraordinary canals can offer sights that will make you happy you didn’t miss them.
- Strolling along canal St Martin, ParisJulie70 / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA
These canals were constructed under the order of Napoleon the First as a means of transportation through the city.
Seeing the canals
If you have traveled into Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport, you may have noticed one of these canals, known as the Canal St. Denis. While it is amongst the first most noticeable canals upon entry into Paris (aside from the Stade de France), it is not for those who adore scenery, and is primarily used for shipments and industry. This purpose was originally what many of the canals were designed for-transportation of people, goods, and services from one part of the city to another. But since then, these
canals have become a gateway into the city, allowing people from all over the world to enjoy the many spectacular sites Paris has to offer. As a result, many of today’s most intriguing sites can be viewed through a barge tour, taking you through some of the oldest parts of the city to indulge in some of the
finest sceneries the world has to offer.
Overall, the waterway system through Paris is divided into four portions: the three canals and the Seine River. Aside from the industrial Canal St. Denis, there are two other canals, far more scenic in nature.
Canal Saint Martin
Built in 1802, this canal was designed to bring fresh water to the residents of Paris. Over time, it has accumulated some of the most intriguing sites due to its refreshing atmosphere. As a result, the Canal St. Martin is amongst the most popular attractions for anyone touring France. Crossed by various steel-arch walkway bridges, this canal is also a grand attraction for film crews, so keep your eye out for the next big picture in theaters. You might just spot some familiar scenery.
Traveling through four pairs of double locks and a magnificent tunnel, this particular primary canal takes you on a serene trip through some of the most intimate portions of Paris’s urban canals. Surrounded by many hotels, boutiques, and new restaurants, it’s a definite tourist attraction that nobody should miss out on because there’s always plenty of activity to engage in and sights to see.
The Parc de la Villette is one of the most extraordinary sites to visit while on this canal. Surrounded by naturally enticing sites, this complex park is home to a concert hall, museum, and cultural center along with many more. The open-air cinema and the multi-themed gardens can provide an experience like no other location in the world.
Canal de l’Ourcq
Built in the early 1800’s, this canal was what brought water to most of the residents in the surrounding area who were on water rations until its construction. Due to costs, the funding for the canal was actually financed by wine taxes raised by the residents, so you can thank wine for this beautiful canal and its surrounding atmosphere.
This canal begins at the Bassin de la Villette and continues for 108 km into the woodlands northeast of Paris. Surrounded by mostly natural scenery, this is a peaceful site to tour and a relaxing way to spend some time on deck. If you enjoy fishing (don’t forget your license), this is the ideal peaceful experience you may be looking for.
Urban canals
While these three canals may be the primary travel ways of Paris, there is an assortment of urban canals, each navigating through various portions of the city. These urban canals branch off of these three canals and the Seine River, offering a different experience every time. When planning your waterway route, be sure that you schedule enough time to visit the particular areas of Paris available through them so that you can go ashore to experience the sights and sounds of various portions of Paris.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, be sure that you take the time to enjoy a barge cruise through some or even all of these scenic waterway routes. And if you’re looking to simply enjoy the beautiful sites in a relaxing atmosphere, there’s undoubtedly a barge cruise planned just for you.
Author Bio:
Crystal Groome is owner of Barge Connection – specializing in European Barge Vacations since 1988. Crystal has specialized in barging vacations specifically for over eleven years and visits Europe yearly to personally inspect individual barges and operators. Check our latest time sensitive specials on Facebook and Twitter (@bargeconnection).
