Guided Cruise The Old Paris on Canal Saint Martin
Description
This unusual 2.5-hour cruise invites you to discover the hidden side of Paris as you glide along the peaceful waters of the Canal Saint-Martin, lined with century-old trees and elegant footbridges. Along the way, hear the history of these authentic Parisian neighborhoods. You will pass the mysterious and spectacular Bastille vault, where the changing light creates a unique atmosphere. The cruise also takes you through four double locks with swirling waters and two swing bridges, offering a fascinating glimpse into the canal’s engineering and charm. You will enjoy views of the lively canal banks, with their pretty boutiques and retro-style cafés. The route also passes through the Bassin de la Villette and near the Parc de la Villette, home to the Cité des Sciences, La Géode, the Philharmonie de Paris, and themed gardens. Arsenal departure: Canauxrama, 50 Bd de la Bastille, 75012 Paris, France Villette departure: Canauxrama, Bassin de la Villette, 13 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris, France
Tour Options
Itinerary
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Enter the long underground tunnel of the Canal Saint-Martin, a vaulted passage beneath the city. As daylight fades and reappears through openings above, the atmosphere becomes uniquely calm and immersive. Emerge from the tunnel near Place de la Bastille, where the contrast between the underground canal and the lively historic square creates one of the most striking moments of the cruise.
Navigate through the Écluse du Temple, another key lock on the Canal Saint-Martin, where the slow rhythm of the water reinforces the peaceful nature of the cruise.
Enter the heart of the Canal Saint-Martin, famous for its tree-lined banks, elegant iron footbridges and timeless Parisian charm. This is one of the city’s most picturesque waterways, loved by locals and filmmakers alike.
Pass by the Écluses des Morts, a series of locks whose name recalls the canal’s long and sometimes dramatic past, adding a touch of mystery to the journey.
Glide through the peaceful Bassin Louis Blanc, where the canal blends seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere away from the city’s bustle.
Experience your first lock as the boat passes through the Écluse de la Villette. Watch the water level gently rise or fall as the lock gates open and close, offering a captivating glimpse into the canal’s engineering.
Cruise along the Canal de l’Ourcq, originally built to supply Paris with fresh water. Lined with former warehouses and modern residential buildings, this stretch reveals a quieter, more authentic side of the capital.
Sail beneath the iconic lift bridge of rue de Crimée, one of the last operational lifting bridges in Paris. Watching the bridge rise above the boat is a rare and fascinating moment that highlights the city’s living industrial heritage.
The boat reaches the Bassin de la Villette, one of the largest open water basins in Paris. This lively yet relaxed area marks the gateway to the city’s historic canal network, where urban life slowly gives way to calm waterways and a more local Parisian atmosphere.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- (Option 2) Arsenal departure: Canauxrama, 50 Bd de la Bastille, 75012 Paris, France
- (Option 1) Villette departure: Canauxrama, Bassin de la Villette, 13 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris, France
Reviews(79)
Fascinating and surprising! A must see hidden Paris treasure Who knew Paris had these waterways through the centre of Paris!
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you found the experience fascinating and surprising. The waterways of Paris are indeed a hidden treasure, and we love sharing this unique side of the city with our travelers. We hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable moment in Paris! Alice de France Tourisme
Totally bad. Worst ever! The taxi was late and therefore missed the boat! Okay -our responsibility. No refund and no alternative and no exceptions. This is despite our own responsibility theft - what a bad treatment- bah
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your disappointment regarding this situation. As explained in our booking conditions, transportation to the departure point remains the responsibility of each participant, and unfortunately we are unable to provide refunds or alternative departures in the case of a missed cruise due to late arrival. These conditions apply equally to all customers. We nevertheless regret that this experience left you with such a negative impression and we sincerely hope you were still able to enjoy your stay in Paris. Warm regards, Alice de France Tourisme
Very interesting when going through the tunnel and the first few locks. After the 3rd lock(there were 9) it got a little boring. The commentary was helpful but the sound was often garbled. Maybe if we had sat inside it would have been better. We sat outside in the front and we got showered with water as we went through each lock and couldn’t hear the commentary at all at those times. We were glad we experienced this because it is a little hidden gem. We saw lots of families watching the lock process or crossing the bridges, waving and explaining to their children about the canal and the boat. We don’t need to do it again, but we were glad we did it this one time.
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you found the beginning of the canal trip interesting, especially going through the tunnel and the first locks, and that you enjoyed seeing local families along the way — it really is a unique “hidden gem” of Paris. We’re sorry to hear that the later part of the journey felt repetitive, and that the sound quality and outdoor seating affected your comfort and ability to follow the commentary. We also understand that getting splashed during the locks made the experience less enjoyable than expected. Your comments are very helpful and will be shared with our team to improve both the audio system and passenger comfort. If you return to Paris, we would be happy to offer you a more comfortable experience, such as a Seine River cruise with indoor seating and Eiffel Tower views, or a guided visit of the Louvre Museum for a more engaging cultural experience. Alice de France Tourisme
At first, we sat outside and could not hear the english commentary. Sound system was not very loud and not very good. Outside seating cramped and uncomfortable. We moved inside later and could hear her but commentary not interesting and she started everything in English with the phrase “just so you know”. A lot of locks but not much else to see. Overall unimpressed.
Hello Martin, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re sorry to hear that your canal trip did not meet your expectations. The issues you mention — difficulty hearing the English commentary outside, limited sound quality, and uncomfortable outdoor seating — are certainly not the experience we aim to provide. We also understand your disappointment regarding the commentary content and overall interest of the visit. Your feedback is very helpful and will be shared with our team, particularly regarding sound clarity, seating comfort, and the guiding style, so we can work on improving these aspects. Despite this experience, we hope you might consider giving us another opportunity in the future. You could enjoy a more immersive Seine River cruise with better visibility and audio guidance, or a guided visit of the Louvre Museum, which offers a richer cultural commentary and a more structured experience. If you would like to discuss your experience further, you can also contact us at info@francetourisme.fr . We hope to regain your trust on a future visit to Paris. Alice de France Tourisme
The trip was very good apart from they had no knowledge that we had booked a breakfast with coffee and a crossiant. When we booked this trip we actually wanted to go later in the day but the only trip was the breakfast trip with breakfast mandatory. We sacrificed an inclusive breakfast at our hotel so that we could have breakfast on the boat. So I would like some sort of compensation. This was on top of the cancellation of our tour of Notre Darm with only 20 minutes notice all though you have refunded the money it was pretty poor service. We will be sharing this on tripadvisor as Viator do not seem to be the company they were!!!
Great tour, very interesting, the tour guide was very nice, but it was hard to understand what she was saying
Thank you very much for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that you found the tour interesting and that you appreciated the kindness of your guide. We’re sorry to hear that understanding the commentary was a bit challenging—your comfort and enjoyment are very important to us. At France Tourisme, we strive to provide clear and engaging experiences for all our guests, and your comment helps us improve. We hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable adventure! For your next trip, you might enjoy a private 3-hour city tour by minivan where guides tailor the experience to your pace, or a relaxing 1-hour discovery cruise on the Seine with lovely views of Paris. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, Alice de France Tourisme
This was a very disappointing tour.The commentary was inarticulate and whilst I acknowledge the guides first language is not English at least get someone who can articulate clearly. Because of alleged engine problems the cruise was terminated with 1/2 an hour to go. We were abruptly dumped in an inconvenient area of Paris and left to our own devices instead of the more convenient intended docking station. On. Today’s performance I suggest avoiding this cruise company.
Hello, I am truly sorry to read how disappointing your experience was. I completely understand your frustration regarding the commentary that was difficult to follow and the premature end of the cruise due to technical issues. Being dropped off unexpectedly in an inconvenient location is understandably upsetting, and I sincerely regret that this situation affected your visit. All the information about the commentary and itinerary is normally provided beforehand, and our guides always do their best to offer clear and engaging explanations. If the commentary was not up to your expectations, I genuinely apologize. As for the technical problem, it remained an exceptional incident, but I understand that this does not lessen your disappointment. Please feel free to contact us at info@francetourisme.fr , so we can review your file and offer you appropriate assistance. Alice de France Tourisme
Do not miss this little known adventure in Paris. It is worth the ride and you spend two hours on the Seine...
Dear Patsy Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed this beautiful and lesser-known Canal Saint-Martin–Seine cruise — it’s truly a hidden gem that lets you see another side of Paris, peaceful and full of charm. We’d be delighted to welcome you again soon! Perhaps you could enjoy a sunset champagne cruise for a sparkling view of the city, or a guided tour of Giverny to follow in Monet’s footsteps. Each experience reveals yet another facet of Paris and its surroundings. Warm regards, Alice de France Tourisme
Very friendly walk on the "Arletty", from Bastille to La Villette. Léa's comments were very informative: we learned a lot about the canal, the locks, Paris, its history and culture! I highly recommend this outing, made with my son (6 years) who loved discovering the opening of the locks to the front rows. Thanks again to Marc, the captain, and to Lea, the guide (who juggled with incredible ease between commentaries in French and English and the preparation of hot drinks despite a non-operational kettle), for their warm Welcoming on board! PS for Canauxrama: if Santa Claus could offer the Arletty a functional kettle, it would be nice for passengers and crew alike.
Un immense merci pour votre magnifique message ! Nous sommes ravis que cette balade sur le canal Saint-Martin vous ait autant plu, et que Léa et Marc aient su rendre ce moment à la fois instructif, convivial et plein de charme. Quelle joie aussi de savoir que votre fils a adoré découvrir les écluses depuis les premières loges ! Votre retour nous touche beaucoup — il reflète parfaitement l’esprit que nous aimons partager avec nos voyageurs : authenticité, découverte et bonne humeur. Lors de votre prochaine visite, pourquoi ne pas prolonger la magie avec un dîner-croisière sur la Seine ou une excursion d’une journée aux Châteaux de la Loire ? Deux expériences tout aussi inoubliables ! Avec tous nos remerciements, Alice de France Tourisme
If you are English speaking, the guide is difficult to understand. The tour was interesting if you were able to get what she was saying. It was a rainy, overcast day unfortunately
Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the guide’s commentary was difficult to follow and that the rainy weather affected your experience — unfortunately, that’s one element we can’t control. We appreciate your comments and will make sure our English explanations are clearer in the future. We hope to welcome you again under sunnier skies — perhaps for a Seine River dinner cruise or a half-day trip to Giverny, both perfect for enjoying the beauty of France in comfort. Warm regards, Alice de France Tourisme
