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Paris Sightseeing BoatsPage 7
ABOVE: Canauxrama offers 2½-hour cruises on the Canal Saint-Martin. CanauxramaThe Canal Saint-Martin, a.k.a. the St-Martin Canal, runs 4.5 km or 2¾ miles between the Ourcq Canal and the Seine. The canal opened in 1825, during the reign of Napoleon III, to reduce barge congestion on the Seine while diverting potable water into the city from the Ourcq Canal. In its heyday as a navigable waterway, the St-Martin Canal was used by more than 4,000 barges each year. Nowadays the canal is a popular recreation spot for Parisians. Canauxrama operates St-Martin Canal cruises with two boats: the Arletty and the Michel-Carné, which run between the Place de la Bastille and the Parc de Villette at the northern edge of the 10th arrondissement. The leisurely one-way cruise takes 2 to 2½ hours. Most cruises are during the daytime, but evening cruises are available on Fridays and Saturdays in July and August. Canauxrama also offers cruises on the Seine, the Saint-Denis Canal, and the River Marne (with the latter being all-day excursions). Location: Canauxrama's St-Martin Canal cruises leave from either the Arsenal Marina or the Bassin de la Villette. For directions and a map, and for information on other Canauxrama cruises, see the link below. Departure times and prices: Next page: Paris Canal
Photo copyright © Paris Tourist Office. Photographer: Catherine Balet.> | ||||||||||||||||||||||