le canal saint-martin à Paris
If you locate the Canal Saint-Martin on a map of Paris, you will see that it cuts a slice about 4.5 km long through the northern part of the city. It s-curves from le Parc de la Villette and the Canal de l’Ourcqin in the 19th arrondissement to the Seine River (at the Quai de la Rapée) near the Place de Bastille.
I have walked much of it; it is easy to do. One year I started at the Place de la République and walked toward Villette. Another time I walked from the Oberkampf area to the Place de Bastille.
I remember not enjoying the walk toward Villette. It did not have anything of interest to offer. I remember the buildings lacked color and personality. It seemed vacant and unhospitable.
In the the other direction, however, one can immediately see la richesse of its residents. Apartments facing the Canal rent for several thousand euros per month.
What interests me most is the cover of the Canal Saint-Martin. From the Place de la République and Oberkampf areas, the canal goes under the street level. One can take a boat past some locks, and after descending ride through a tunnel and emerge eventually near the Seine River.
Along the top are vents that permit air to reach the canal tunnel underneath.
Over the Canal Saint-Martin are parks, where people come to relax and to read and where kids play in playgrounds. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)
There is a large outdoor shopping venue for fruits and vegetables and fish and cheese and bakery goods and charcuterie and . . . and . . . .
What might the canal have looked like during the 1920’s? One need only ask YouTube.
un Voyageur 
Hello Michael,
Interesting because, as I had mentioned in an email earlier, I went to France to cook for a group of mostly Brittish people taking a workshop where they were making themselves a diatonioc accodion.
It went well but was very demanding. I hope to return somewhere in Europe to do the same another time.
All this to say that when I finished my cooking tasks I spent two days in Nevers to reste then four days in Paris just walking here and the. I experienced the same as you at Notre-Dame. Too many tourists. I was not able te get a feeling of serenity and grandeur experienced in a former visit some years ago. I did like the little park behind the cathedral though, just like you did.
And… I walked a along the Canal Saint-Martin that I didn’t even know it existed before.
That was on the 27th and 18th of July. It would have been great to meet you there by chance!
Best regards,
Lorraine
Voyageur
Envoyé : 28 août 2016 06:07 À : lorraine_blais@hotmail.com Objet : [New post] canal st martin
Michael Groves posted: “If you locate the Canal Saint-Martin on a map of Paris, you will see that it cuts a slice about 4.5 km long through the northern part of the city. It s-curves from le Parc de la Villette and the Canal de l’Ourcqin in the 19th arrondissement to the Seine R”
Lorraine! Bonjour ! Hélas, I was still in Oregon when you were wandering around the Canal. I trust the workshop went well? By the way on my street (rue Daguerre) in Paris there is an accordion repair shop. It has an old fashioned store front, and next door is an extension that sells accordions and wine. Yes, wine & accordions. Best to you.
Ah, the Canal Saint-Martin was where Amelie Poulain skipped stones! I thought it looked really familiar but then again, I’ve seen that film at least 5 times.