Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin
Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin
Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin
Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin
Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin
Hidden Paris: discover canal Saint-Martin

What you'll do

Explore Canal St Martin, one of Paris’s arty neighborhoods where the beautiful boutiques look more like galleries, and picnicking along the banks of the 19th-century waterways is a pastime. Your host knows which nonchalant-looking bars serve the best nibbles with their vin rouge, which cafes roast their coffee in-house and which stores are committed to ethical fashion. Along Rue de Marseille and Rue Beaurepaire, flit from fromageries to concept stores to contemporary galleries, or discover the old-world magic of the canal itself. At sunset, as romance makes way for revelry, gaze at buildings reflected in the still waters before ducking into hipster haunt, Gravity Bar, where your bartender will craft a personalized cocktail.

Where you’ll go

The Canal Saint-Martin is a three-mile-long waterway in northeastern Paris’s 10th arrondissement – and the only thing more picturesque than the canal itself is the neighborhood that surrounds it. Cross the 19th-century iron footbridges as you stroll two lazy miles along the canal from Boulevard Richard-Lenoir in the south to the Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad square in the north – an amble that promises views of a storybook Paris, from picnickers to pétanque players. But you’ll also follow your host down the hidden backstreets lined with provocative street art and offbeat boutiques. And when lunch rolls around? Pick from several trendy canalside bistros, or grab a pastry at a sidewalk cafe with other effortlessly chic locals.

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 3 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Marathi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Explore one of Paris’s prettiest neighborhoods with a local host to show you the very best bits
  • Throw together a picnic to enjoy on the banks of the canal, in true Parisian style
  • Peruse quirky boutiques and cool concept stores, or soak up nature on the lawns of Jardin Villemin
  • Have a helpful host to share the rich history of these 19th-century waterways as you stroll across the iconic iron footbridges
  • Enjoy an espresso at a Parisian sidewalk cafe, or simply move between fromageries, boulangeries, and pâtisseries for snacks

Things to know

What’s included

  • 100% private and personalized experience
  • 3 hours with a host
  • Walking experience
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 7 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    Top guide who gave lots of very enriching historical explanations. We visited places we would never have been on our own, like St Louis Hospital. Great experience and beautiful scenery.

    November 2021

    Catherine S

    Anukool was approachable and friendly. He was knowledgeable about the canal and its history. We were lucky that the sun came out on the day. It was very pleasant to walk the length of the canal and back. Unlike many places in Paris, it is not crowded and one can enjoy the feeling of space and light. Anukool was good company; he was flexible and happy to incorporate anything that was of interest to me. I knew of the Canal but never got to visit the area before. Having walked it with a guide, I would love to return and to investigate the area further.

    November 2021

    Catherine S

    It was a pleasure to spend time with Salah and Katherine. They were very kind and curious guests, easy to talk to, and enthusiastic! We discussed about our cultures and our activities and it was so interesting. We spent time discovering the Parisian Canal area and I enjoyed very much showing them « my » Paris as a local. I hope to see them again in the future!

    July 2020

    Marie V

    Hristo était vraiment spécial !!!! amical, compétent, sympa, il connaît beaucoup d'histoires et est super flexible, il module le chemin en suivant les passions de la personne qui marche à côté de lui. je le recommande vivement!

    January 2020

    Elisa S

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Paris. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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