Opened in December 1825, the canal runs 4.5 km from the Port de l'Arsenal to Stalingrad, partly underground beneath Bastille. Its locks and cast-iron footbridges of 1860-1890 frame the Hôtel du Nord of Marcel Carné's 1938 film; on fine days the quays fill with Parisians picnicking.
- Address
- Quai de Valmy / Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
- Hours
- Open 24 hours (public quays)
- Best time to go
- Afternoon, Evening · About 1 h
- Price
- Free (public quays); boat trips extra
- Price level
- €
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- Join the picnic on the quays between the footbridges on a summer evening, and take your rubbish with you: the city runs a campaign against litter here.
- In summer the city opens a free swimming spot on the canal at 116 Quai de Jemmapes (diving from the quays is forbidden).
- Paris Canal and Canauxrama run boat trips through the locks and the 2 km vault under Bastille all year.