The famous Canal Saint Martin cruise

Both the majesty of river Seine monuments and the charm of Canal St Martin in one unique cruise.

Everyday, two 2h30 cruises departing from Musée d’Orsay or Parc de la Villette

Discover Paris in a very lovely and unusual way, streaming-up the canal Saint-Martin through a series of locks and swing bridges.

Travel through the Bastille underground vault, with natural lighting (2km), give kisses under the romantic bridges, cross the 9 different locks that will lead you to the “Bassin de la Villette”, to the Arsenal Marina, or along the Notre Dame Cathedral and the fabulous Orsay Museum.
Live an experience like no other !

Rates :

Adult 23€

Child up to 3 years : free
Child (4-14 years) : 15 euros
Young(15-25 years) : 20 euros
Sénior (+60 years) : 20 euros

Family offer : 2 adults/seniors + 2 children/young = 18 euros off on the total price

Groups from 15 people : Special rates – Contact us.

Paris Canal loves families. We give them a special offer up to 18 € off for all booking of 4 people including 2 (adults or seniors) + 2 (children or young).

Practical Information

Duration of the cruise : 2 h 30
Languages : Live guided cruise in French & English

Drinks : Bar on board

Parc de la Villette

Entrance of the Parc at 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès Metro Porte de Pantin along the Grande Halle de la Villette until the wooden rides then left on the canal – Arrival: Musée d’Orsay. See plan

Port de Solférino

(200 meters from the Musée d’Orsay) 12, Port de Solférino in front of 23 Quai Anatole 75007 Paris Metro Solférino – Arrival Parc de la Villette

The canal Saint Martin’s cruise is available everyday by reservation

10 am : Departure from Orsay Museum – Arrival at Parc de la Villette
2.30pm : Departure from Parc de la Villette – Arrival at Orsay Museum

3 pm : Departure from Orsay Museum – Arrival at Parc de la Villette

From Paris Seine…… To Saint Martin canal !

The cruise starts on the river Seine. Board in the Solférino marina, near the Orsay Museum, then discover the most beautiful monuments of Paris cruising by the Tuileries gardens, the Louvre Museum,” l’île de la Cité”, Notre-Dame cathedral and private mansions on “l’île Saint Louis” . Then, you head for the Arsenal Marina at the foot of “le génie de la Bastille”. You may know the monument, but you probably never went under it…

The boat rushes through the famous underground vault of Bastille(2km), with astonishing natural lighting. Then you encounter the locks of canal Saint-Martin : Temple’s lock, Récollets’ lock, Morts’ lock… The boat goes through the last lock, the Jaurès one, and you enter the Bassin de la Villette. Right after, you pass under the lift bridge of “la rue de Crimée”, and arrive in the Parc de la Villette, where you can access to numerous cultural activities.

You have a passion for cinema, science, or music ? Discover La Géode, la Cité des Sciences or la Philharmonie de Paris So you will have had a real cultural journey.

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From Saint-Martin canal… to Paris on the Seine !

Boarding takes place in the centre of the Parc de la Villette.
The cruise starts by passing under the Crimée lift bridge and then along the Bassin de la Villette. You will live unbelievable moments crossing swing bridges and locks (écluse de Jaurès, écluse des Récollets…), driven with caution by our boat’s captain, all the way through the Arsenal Marina lock, cruising under the Bastille square.

At some point, the boat rushes through a mysterious underground vault, with natural lighting before entering the river Seine. Then, the most gorgeous monuments of Paris parade under your eyes : les mansions of l’île Saint-Louis, Notre-Dame cathedral, Louvre Museum, Tuileries garden… It is a ferric trip, magic and enchanted … You then arrive at the feet of Orsay museum, a few steps away from Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

You can go on and pursue your journey in one of the mythical places : Le Café de Flore, le Café des Deux Magots or la Brasserie Lipp, places, where you can almost feel the presence of renown artists and intellectuals such as Rimbaud, Sartre, Verlaine, Simone de Beauvoir.

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A fabulous cruise for every public !

The cruise is well suited to all ages, it is an ideal activity for a family, and will please both children and grand parents; so romantic for a lovers’ week end ; it is an ideal way of to get a global overview of the city of lights under its different aspects ; you can Offer it as a gift for a birthday or a wedding…

The famous “canal Saint Martin”

The canal Saint-Martin is 4,55 km long, and goes from Bassin de la Villette to the Paris Arsenal Marina, with an opening to the river Seine. It is rich of 9 different locks, 1 lift bridge and two swing bridges with a slope of 25 meters. On the canal St Martin, you will feel a warm and friendly ambiance, passers-by along the banks, anglers and numerous terraces, cafes and restaurants in particular in spring and summer. It used to be very popular and grass-rooted, but is now very trendy, hip and cool, with an authentic and romantic twist to it.

For more than 40 years, Paris Canal offers the most amazing cruises on the Parisian canals and on the river Seine such as the Guinguette Dinner Cruise.