Visitors can stroll along the picturesque waterway, where quaint storefronts and tiny homes nod to another era. Relax at one of the numerous café tables and sip a glass of fine wine, or float along the canal on one of the city’s famous riverboats. Some of the best shopping in Paris is along Canal Saint-Martin, making it an ideal place to spend a late afternoon in the open air.
Tour options for visiting the canal area include dinner cruises and food tours. Themed off-the-beaten-track tours also often visit the area.
Canal Saint-Martin is one of Paris’ trending neighborhoods and has a bohemian vibe.
The streets spreading east and west of the canal are your best bet for a wide choice of cafés and restaurants.
There are numerous entertainment options in the area, from dance halls to cultural centers, and large venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Bataclan, and Cabaret Sauvage.
Canal Saint-Martin is in northeastern Paris’ 10th arrondissement, between the neighborhoods of Republique and Gare du Nord. The closest subway stations are Gare de l'Est (served by lines 4 and 7), Republique (lines 3, 5, 8, 9, and 11), Goncourt (line 11), and Jacques-Bonsergent (line 5).
Canal Saint-Martin is an attractive spot any day of the week, but especially appealing on sunny weekend afternoons and long summer evenings, when picnicking families and strolling flâneurs linger around the streets, soaking up the sun and atmosphere.
Established in 1859, Marché Couvert Saint-Martin is one of only five covered markets remaining in Paris. Open from morning until evening Tuesday to Saturday and on Sunday mornings, it’s a great place to stock up on everything you need for a picnic along the canal, such as cheese, ham, sausage, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
