Canal St Martin

[Jody]

Very evocative and informative article in today's London Time on the canal..it's on my list!!

travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2361483.ece

[steve]

Nice! It's on mine as well. Thanks.

[greyghost1]

Nice link, thanks.

[Jody]

Yes, I thought it was a very good article , but they certainly could have given some practical information. This is what I've come up with after searching.


www.canauxrama.com/e_saint-martin.htm

[GitteK]

I would not recommend the cruise - I have seen the boats many times going through the locks on the canal - and the point is that the locks are most exciting to see when you are standing up on the banks.

Also you can walk faster than the boats sail - and to me the tourists all had this kind of "trapped" look on their face.



The persons I know who have done the trip found it too be too long and therefor to become rather dull. But each has his/her own preferences. Mine require a bit more speed, I guess.

A walk along the Canal is a very delightful experience, though.

Start from Place de la République. Also remember to make a detour into Hôpital Saint Louis to see the marvellous Henri IV courtyard - highly interesting to compare to Place des Vosges, Place Dauphine and some of the houses around the chateau out in St.Germain-en-Laye.



Also see this photo (sorry, can't be copied)
www.davidphenry.com/Paris/paris061.htm

This link shows photos taken from the boat.
www2.rfc1149.net/gallery/Canal

[trechic]

I just met with a client the other day, who told me she had taken this boat trip down the Canal St. Martin, and strongly recommended NOT doing it.
Thank you, Gitte, for these wonderful photos!! It's on my list! Gosh...I do not have enough days to do all that I want! I am already planning my next trip!!!

[steve]

I've read elsewhere that the cruise is boring. I'll just mooch around the neighborhood.

[Jody]

2.5 hours off of my feet , I think I'll try it and report back

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I haven't done this, but my instinct would be not to try it (I did the barge trip up the Thames from London to Hampton Court once, and it was the same type of thing - very, very slow and the most interesting thing was the locks, and even that wasn't very interesting after the first two or three). But, I do want to do this walk along the canal - the photos, especially the ones at night, are beautiful.

[les]

Oh LORD that cruise is an exercise in patience. The first couple of locks are neat, but then it gets a bit hum-drum. You enjoy it for about 1/2 hour then you look at your watch and think "HOLY CRAP, two hours to go??"
Plus, I mistakenly went in the blistering sun, with a friend of mine. It does remain something we laugh hysterically about to this day, we were so miserable...

[geordy]

Les I think you hit it on the head! I didn't take that cruise but on one cruise with several locks once I remember the first one was interesting..maybe even the second a bit..after that it was all right already hurry up!(then again I am a New Yorker!)

Did walk along the Canal St Martin though and found that to be quite nice....except S/O found watching the locks a bit too interesting!!
Unlike you we had a day that was a bit cool and overcast which fortunately lent itself to exploring the cafes and shops along the route!
And this was a few years ago..I understand there is even more to do and see along the route now!

[aude]

Early one cold December evening we took a long walk along the Canal St. Martin. It was that beautiful time of day when it's almost dusk and the air looks soft and blue. The lights were just coming on, and it was one of those magical times when all my circumstances, including my surroundings and my company all combined to make a few moments that I'll always remember.

[Happygoin]

That's it. I've heard enough. A walk along Canal St. Martin is DEFINITELY on the to-do list for Dec trip. I always meant to go after Gitte first described it many moons ago. The walk will be a pre-dinner way to build the appetite this time.

[aude]

Good decision, Happygoin! I know my post sounds sappy, but it's true. I think it's a marvelous walk, especially at dusk.

[Happygoin]

Does anyone else remember when Gitte first described her Canal St. Martin walk on the other forum? She made it sound like she was approaching the Heavenly kingdom! Now, admittedly, Gitte has a way with words, but she really did sell it well and I've always meant to do it. I've been two or three times since then and I haven't done it yet. I WILL this time.

[luckyluc]

Two months ago I took a visite-conférence about the Canal St-Martin, including the Hôpital Saint Louis; it was very interesting to learn about the importance of the canal in the maritime commerce of Paris and how it save precious time by allowing boats to bypass large section of the Seine.

Of course I did stop by the famous Hotel du Nord, more by curiosity since I did knew that the movie was not filmed there but in a studio, It is now a restaurant but they keep the facade. I did had a very good foie gras mi-cuit with a ginger chutney, so it would be a pleaseant place to stop for a little rest. The personel was very accueillant.

Here is their website: www.hoteldunord.org/

[annettecinca]

Yes Happy, I remember it well! That's when the canal went on my to-do list as well!

[felschurch]

demarais: It is on my list too--I think you can take a picnic

[anneparis]

Hi everyone !
For your information, I have just written a post on Canal Saint Martin on my blog.
It can be read here : afoodiefroggy.canalblog.com/archives/2007/10/03/6400916.html

Bonne lecture !

[geordy]

Enjoyed your tour Anne! I think a repeat visit to the area is on my list!