Canal Saint-Martin: Our most recommended tours and activities

Paris: City of Science and Industry Museum Entry Ticket

1. Paris: City of Science and Industry Museum Entry Ticket

Explore the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie with your family, friends, or on your own. Get access to all the exhibitions and shows with this "Exhibitions" entry ticket, see the Argonaute, and enjoy an immersive show at the Planetarium. Step into this fascinating science museum and visit the many permanent and temporary exhibitions. Take an audio-guided tour through the Argonaute, a submarine from the 1950s, before looking up to the stars in a show at the Planetarium. (upon availability the day of your visit). Finish your visit with the Solar Impulse aircraft, the first airplane to fly without fuel. Watch the plane land in the museum on the big screens and try landing it yourself in the flight simulators. This ticket gives access to the permanent and temporary exhibitions, outside the Cité des enfants. Reservations for the planetarium, the Argonaut submarine and the Metamorphoses children exhibition are made directly on-site, subject to availability on the day of your visit. "Précieux déchets" : temporary exhibition until 1st september Chaque année, plus de 2 milliards de tonnes de détritus sont générés dans le monde. Cette nouvelle exposition invite à prendre conscience de cette montagne de déchets engendrée par l’économie productiviste. Elle montre comment le monde du design transforme ces déchets en ressources précieuses pour envisager un avenir moins enclin au gaspillage. "Climate emergency" : permanent exhibition Faced with climate change, humanity must think hard about its relationship to the world and engage collectively in profound transformations at every level of society in order to avert disaster. "Crowds": until May 24, 2024 What is the crowd? What does it do to us? At the crossroads of many scientific disciplines – fluid mechanics, granular physics, mathematics, cognitive sciences and social psychology, is the study of the crowd. Explore how crowds, whether compact, dilated or at a distance, reveal the social character of our species. Metamorphoses until November 24, 2024 The exhibition offers children a chance to explore various metamorphoses – natural, amazing and also personal – by bringing together science and imagination. It also introduces the basis of a scientific approach by encouraging children of all ages to observe, be amazed and question – whilst stimulating their imagination. Whether they are the sources of fascination or apprehension, metamorphoses open up new possibilities. "Space mission": from October 23, 2023 Step into the shoes of a spaceman and experience a daydream for the duration of your visit. Structured in five sections, the exhibition invites you to explore, travel, transit, stay, and question. Dive deep into the research, technologies, and thought processes behind space missions. Through this enlightening journey, discover the reality and complexity of space exploration, gaining insights into the boundless opportunities it presents and the challenges it poses.

Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

2. Paris: Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and the Seine River

Explore the French capital on a sightseeing cruise along the River Seine and continue along Canal Saint-Martin. See Parisian landmarks, including Notre Dame and the Hotel du Nord before sailing into the underground vault. Start your day in Paris with one of its most enchanting attractions, and take a cruise along the Canal Saint-Martin and River Seine. Embark in the center of the Parc de la Villette, and cruise gently along the canal to Rue de Crimée’s elevated bridge, as it goes through the Bassin de la Villette, before entering the magnificent Rotonde by Ledoux. Your adventure begins with the first lock at the Récollets Center, where you will catch sight of the Hotel du Nord. Discover the Canal Saint-Martin, filled with the poetry of its romantic paths and pedestrian bridges, bordered by chestnut trees and populated by fishermen. Then, the boat will be plunged into darkness as you enter a tunnel of more than 1-mile, taking you through a mysterious underground vault that is perforated by light holes. Filled with magic and beauty, when you emerge into the light at Arsenal Port, you will see the July Column of Place de la Bastille ahead of you. This is when you enter the River Seine. From here, take a short cruise along the River Seine, past the Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, to end your tour just after midday at the Musée d’Orsay.

Paris: Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin Cruise

3. Paris: Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin Cruise

Embark on a romantic cruise close to the Musée d’Orsay on the River Seine. Marvel at the Tuileries Garden, Musée du Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and more. You will admire the scenic panoramic views before continuing to the entrance to the Canal Saint-Martin, where Bastille Square towers above you. Enter a 1.24-mile tunnel, lit by perforations that let in the light of day, and soak up the magic and beauty of a subterranean world. Once you emerge from the tunnel, you will discover the magical Canal Saint Martin, a surprising aquatic path surrounded by a romantic footbridge and bordered by chestnut trees and fishermen. Near the Temple, admire Frederic Lemaître’s bust, the Recollets Lock, and the Hotel du Nord. Keep your ears pricked for the murmuring ghost of François Villon as you approach the Dead Lock, where the Montfaucon gibbet used to stand. The boat passes Bassin de la Villette and the arcing footbridge of rue de Crimée before reaching the Parc de la Villette, where you can admire the Cité des Sciences and Music Museum along with the magnificent themed gardens.  

Paris 90-Minute Street Art Tour

4. Paris 90-Minute Street Art Tour

On this 90-minute tour in 2 different arrondissements, your guide will show you highlights of Paris's street art scene, which has been rapidly expanding in recent years. Discover pieces including ephemeral art, and learn about the different techniques employed by the artists, including stencils, graffiti and posters. During this guided walk you’ll explore parts of the 19th and 20th arrondissements and visit the main street art sites in the French capital. Passing through Belleville, you’ll cross the rue Denoyez and admire its impressive space with graffiti-covered walls. See another side of Paris on this fascinating glimpse into the city’s thriving urban art scene.

No Diet Club - Paris : Let's get thick - Canal Saint Martin

5. No Diet Club - Paris : Let's get thick - Canal Saint Martin

After having criss-crossed the Marais and Montmartre districts, we decided to launch a new food tour around the Canal St Martin, our favorite spot in Paris! It's not the most touristy area of the capital, but it's certainly the best place to eat in recent years. What's on the menu? Food porn for 4 hours along the canal! 30min walk for 10,000 calories. :) Of course, there'll be French specialities, but that's not all! Truffle pizzas, French-style grilled cheese, the best apple turnovers in Paris, an exceptional cheese platter and plenty of other surprises :)

Paris Canal Photo Walk

6. Paris Canal Photo Walk

Meeting Point: Place du Republique, in front of the Orange store (13 Pl. de la République, 75003 Paris) A guided photo walk of the Canal St. Martin neighborhood, with some photography tips, tricks and instruction, local history and pointers for where to eat, drink and explore further in this special part of town. Starting at Place de la Republique (Meeting Point: In front of the Orange store), we will walk the Canal St. Martin, stopping along the way for fantastic photo-taking opportunities, to answer any questions you might have about photography and your camera, see some of the local Paris life, and to practice small exercises you can do to help you take better pictures. We can always pause for a coffee or drink, to rest our feet and answer any other Paris-related questions you might have as well, before finishing along metro line 5. A chance to see some of details of an area only a local can relate, and away from the often crowded museums and monuments. Bring your own digital camera or phone, any brand or type, maybe some good walking shoes, charge your camera batteries and have plenty of space for pictures on your storage card, if possible. Hosted by Rick Alarcon. Photographer/videographer and Paris city tour guide, Rick has studied and worked in the visual arts for 20+ years, having captured commercial, editorial, portrait, news and fine art imagery. You can view some of his work at www.rickalarcon.com and on instagram @rick_in_paris.

Paris: Belleville and Le Marais Private Walking Tour

7. Paris: Belleville and Le Marais Private Walking Tour

Experience the best of Paris on foot with your own personal local guide during this private walking trip to the city’s must-see sights and neighborhoods. Visit Opera Garnier, the Louvre Museum, Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin, the Marais, and more. On this guided walk through the city, you’ll get to explore characteristic Parisian neighborhoods away from the tourist tide, accompanied by your own local guide. Visit the hipster quarter of Belleville and walk through its graffiti-filled streets. Then, explore the so-called old Paris, the Marais District, with its charming cobblestone streets, imposing gates, sumptuous hôtels particuliers (grand townhouse), and secret gardens. Get to know one of the trendiest quarters of the capital, the cradle of the Parisian avant-garde and also a refuge for contemporary art. Make your way along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, the perfect walking place for pedestrians, which has become an unmissable meeting point for Parisians, away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Relax and enjoy a coffee in a classic Parisian café. Later, enjoy one of the most memorable panoramic views of Paris from the rooftop of the famous Galeries Lafayette. Lose yourself in the Galerie Vivienne, one of the most emblematic-covered arcades in Paris. Before the end of your tour, stop to admire the Opéra Garnier and the Louvre Museum, one of the most prestigious in the world. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Canal Saint-Martin

Want to discover all there is to do in Canal Saint-Martin? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Canal Saint-Martin

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 2,314 reviews

A visit to this museum was well worth it. The individual topics were presented very clearly. The staff there were very friendly and helpful. With all the offers, you almost don't know where to start and where to go. It is worth defining a route before the tour. The planetarium in particular should be looked at more closely, as different programs are shown during the day. Depending on it can have long queues. There is also something for the little ones. The only downside is that not all exhibitions are explained in languages other than French. If someone does not speak French, enjoyment is limited. The app you can download doesn't really help either. Still, it was an interesting trip. Is recommended.

The meeting place was clearly stated and easily found. The boat was comfortable and the ride was excellent. I would suggest earphones and a system by which the guide can be better heard. We couldn't understand him as we were not able to hear him well. Other than that, it was wonderful.

It was very interesting to take the time to do this circuit that I did not know although the channels are known by themselves

Essential for all audiences and especially Families with children, trips to Paris at the end of the year.

This was the best place to spend the whole day with kids.