Getaway 2 Paris!

Parisians love to visit the Canal Saint-Martin in the spring and summer for picnics and music.  Sweet little Cafés and offbeat shopping sites site around the water’s edge and the iron footbridges. The best day to spend at Canal Saint-Martin is Sunday, when the Quai de Valmy and Quai de Jemmapes are blocked from auto traffic and left for the pedestrians and bikers to traverse.  Touring the Saint-Martin can also be accomplished by getting on one of the many boats available and taking a leisurly ride down the Canal.  With everything available to do, it’s no wonder that Parisians love the area so much!

Getting to the Canal Saint-Martin is easy.  It is located between Gare du Nord and Republique in the Northeastern section of Paris.  The canal itself is between the Seine River and the Bassin de la Villete.

Main streets around the canal: Quai de Valmy, Quai de Jemmapes, Rue Beaurepaire, Rue Bichat.

Nearby: République, Belleville.

Getting There

• Metro:
  • Gare de L’Est (Lines 4 & 7)
  • République (Lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11)
  • Goncourt (Line 11)
  • Jacques-Bonsergent (Line 5).

Canal Saint-Martin History:  

• Napoléon ordered the construction of the Canal Saint-Martin in 1802. It was originally built to link to the Canal de l’Ourq, further north, to supply fresh water to the city.
• In the 19th century, the area was mostly occupied by working-class laborers. Only recently has it started to attract well-to-do professionals eager to snag apartments with views of the canal.
• The canal and its surroundings were entirely reconstructed on set for Marcel Carné’s 1938 film, Hôtel du Nord.

Boat Tours of the Canal Saint-Martin: Consider taking a boat tour of the Canal Saint-Martin and Paris’ underground waterways for a memorable experience.

Eats, Drinks, and Shopping around the Canal Saint-Martin:  

1. Hôtel du Nord
   102 Quai de Jemmapes
   Phone: +33(0)140 407 878
   The filmmaker Marcel Carné immortalized the Hôtel du Nord by reproducing its facade for his 1938 movie of the same name. Originally built in 1885 as a hotel serving mostly manual laborers, the Hôtel du Nord is now a bar and restaurant. 

   Ambience: A zinc bar, velvet curtains, low lamplight, and an extensive upstairs library give the former hotel a distinctly 1930’s charm.

   Highlights: You can nurse a drink on the garden patio, play chess, browse the library, or enjoy a simple meal prepared with fresh ingredients and conceived by celebrated chef Pascal Brébant. Guaranteed nostalgia.

   Lunch: around 15 Euros (approx. $19).
   Dinner: Between 15-30 Euros (approx. $19-$39).

2. Chez Prune
   71 Quai de Valmy
   Phone: +33(0)142 413 047
   Ambience: Chez Prune is where trendy young Parisians go to see and be seen. This cheerful plum-colored bar and restaurant is constantly abuzz with chatter and music. The oddball deco includes objects made from recycled junk. A large terrace outside offers top-notch views of the canal during the spring and summer. 

   To eat: Chez Prune’s bistro-style fare, if a bit expensive, is always tasty and includes artful salads, quiches, cheese plates, and plats du jour.

   Drinks: 4-9 Euros (approx. $5-$12)
   Lunch: around 15-20 Euros (approx. $19-$26) per person.

3. The Pink Flamingo
   67 rue Bichat
   Tel.: +33(0)142 023 170
   Indulge in a favorite neighborhood treat: get your pizza delivered canalside! A Franco-American couple co-owns the Pink Flamingo, a stylish joint where the pizza is reminiscent of some of the best New York-style slices. 

   The bonus: You can order your pie to go, take a pink balloon as proof of purchase, and relax on the banks of the canal. The deliveryperson will find you via the balloon.

   Prices: Around 8-15 Euros (approx. $10-$19) per person.

4. Antoine et Lili
   95 Quai de Valmy
   Tel.: +33(0)142 374 155
   This quirky fashion boutique’s bright yellow and pink facade is now an icon. Don’t miss Antoine et Lili for the latest in kitschy urban fashion and campy “ethnic” threads. The “village” also includes a restaurant, bakery, and tearoom.