The Canal Saint-Martin: A Photo Essay

The Canal Saint-Martin is one of my favourite areas in Paris. And while I’ve written about it in passing before, I thought I’d share some of the photos and coveted spots I’ve collected over the years. Keep scrolling to discover this gem!

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Made up of a body of water that ties the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Seine together, the 10ème’s Canal Saint-Martin is quickly becoming Paris’ new Marais. Its large diversity of inhabitants, which range from young professionals to families, have contributed in the area’s recent gentrification and boboïsation (hipsterfication).

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

If you’re an Amélie fan, you’ll recognize the canal from the scene where she skips her stones into the water.

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

And if you happen to be in the area on a sunny day, be sure to begin at the canal’s banks and nearby park, Jardin Villemin, which are both perfect for impromptu picnics and taking sun.

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Street art fans, there are also plenty of colourful murals and quirky stencils on the many small streets that line the canal.

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Next, visit the Marché Saint-Martin, one of the lesser known covered markets in Paris where the neighbourhood’s residents buy their produce. This one dates back to 1859!

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Then, satisfy your sweet tooth by heading to Liberté to buy a baguette or madeleines alongside the locals or to Du Pain et des Idées where tourists come to snap photos of their escargot pastries. While most tourist eateries in Paris aren’t worth the hype, I can confirm that this one is!

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

Holybelly is a must for brunch lovers (read all about it here), while Ten Belles serves up lunch and an excellent cup of coffee. Flesh, a Pigalle favourite that recently settled near the canal, delivers an American-style BBQ menu complete with beef short ribs, black Angus beef, and more. Finally, Miznon, an Israeli import by chef Eyal Shani, serves up his famous grilled cauliflower (served whole), along with his popular “Minute Steak” and falafel pita sandwiches at the foot of the water. End the evening at Le Comptoir Général, a quaint bar hidden in a discrete impasse just off of the canal.

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

This area is great for shopping too. Artazart bookshop is a gem worth uncovering while Make My Lemonade, a colourful clothing store by local designer Lisa Gachet, is home to ephemeral pieces that quickly disappear if you don’t act fast, along with an art gallery, a DIY workshop, and a pink and yellow-hued cafe. At Pop Market, Bazartherapy, LPMK Art – Design – Clothing, and Antoine & Lili, you’ll find everything from clothes, to paper goods, and kitchenware.

The Canal Saint-Martin, Paris

What do you love most about the Canal Saint-Martin? Let me know below!

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