A walk along Canal St. Martin

[luvparee]

This is on my list for next trip (have decided perhaps not to do the boat ride) and, frankly, just not sure where to start and end a walk with a great view of the Canal, bridges, people, etc. I know part of the trip on the Canal is under ground. Looking for suggestions to stroll, stop for a cafe or vin, and just people watch.

Merci!!

[Truffaut]

That makes for a very nice stroll. You could start at Metro Jaures (not very picturesque, but it's at the top of the canal just before the bassin) and then walk south to the other end before it disappears into the tunnel aroudn Republique. There are number of boutiques, cafes, etc., now.

[Truffaut]

I'd say it's a leisurely 1-1/2 stroll, maybe longer if you stop to shop.

[annettecinca]

Thanks Truffaut, I've been wondering the same thing

[aude]

This is a beautiful walk, especially around dusk. Hope you get to make it!

[luvparee]

Merci, Truffaut! Now I'm going to have to find where Metro Jaures is located. I'll see if Pages Jaunes can help me! From pictures it looks like a charming stroll.

[Truffaut]

There's absolutely nothing charming about Jaurès! In fact, you'll say "Why in God's name did Truffaut say to get off at Jaurès?" The only reason I'd suggest it is because that's the easiest way to find the northern end of the canal!

[Shoesy]

Truffaut - Is there anything unsafe about that Jaurus Metro area or is it just plain uglyish?

[Anne]

No metro station is unsafe IMO as long as you don't go there at night .

[paris54]

I went to the Canal in April, I started my stroll where the canal goes underground. I was horrified by the squalor of the "Homeless of Paris" although this would be a great location to be homeless - they have really made the area ugly. They had stoves, coat racks, couches etc. I could see where this could be a most beautiful area, it was hard to feel safe with all the men hanging around.

[Anne]

The homeless people have left the area now .

[luvparee]

So, any other suggestions as to where to start and end? My priority is to see what I've seen in pictures --- people hangin' out on the little bridges over the canal and residents just strolling along the canal ..............

It looks like Quai Valmy or Jemmappes (sp?) is what I would be walking per Truffaut's suggestion.

Thanks!

[Happygoin]

paris54, I can see how you might have felt that way, especially after dark. The homeless are an urban problem that is very difficult to solve. Sometimes, as a tourist, it's hard to remember that, as beautiful as it is, Paris has the same problems as any large city.

[geordy]

I made the mistake of strolling there on a Nov trip. A bit too chilly to really enjoy. And too early for lunch so no charming stops! Have to do it again in warmer weather@

Did find it interesting though! S/O liked the locks!

[aude]

Last December there was an organized camp of homeless people along the Canal St. Martin. There were hundreds of tents pitched beside the canal. That's gone now.

We've strolled from the Jaures Metro stop all the way down to Place de la Bastille. If you go at a time of day when the light is nice, it's a great walk for taking beautiful photographs. Early morning or late afternoon is magical.

[andi]

Thats a shame that they have gone now, I loved the story of how the tents were donated to them, any ideas of where they have all gone to? We have not done Canal St Martin yet and I would have liked to have seen them there.

[aude]

Gosh, Andi, hope I didn't give out bad information. When we were there most recently, I didn't see them, but maybe I wasn't in the right section. We didn't walk the whole length.

[Truffaut]

You're more likely to see the tent cities in colder weather. In the summer, "sans domiciles fixes" (homeless) tend to scatter around the city more.

[anneparis]

I am surprised, because I was there last wek and the tents were still there !!
If you stroll along the Canal, don't miss the "Hotel Du Nord", a very famous hotel featured in an old french movie called ...Hotel du Nord. The main actress, Arletty and her "atmosphères, atmosphères, est-ce que j'ai une guleule d'atmosphères" have played an important role in that fame.