Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals – Just exit the metro

This post is also available in:

Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals are also part of the Parisian cruises that are not limited to cruises on the Seine. We present here less known, more intimate and so romantic cruises … And yet, these cruises start in the City of Paris: you will take one of these boats by taking the metro first, as simple as that and the port of embarkment is at the exit of the metro.

These are cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals (they have existed since Napoleon 1st), on the Marne (tributary of the Seine) but also on the whole downstream part of Paris, whose port of embarkation is in Paris, within reach of the metro.

The photo above is of the Port de l’Arsenal, with the entrance to the Canal Saint Martin under the Place de la Bastille and the Colonne de Juillet in the background

The Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

This network was built by the City of Paris, pursuant to a decree of 29 Floréal Year X (19 May 1802) of the First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte, in order to supply Paris with drinking water and to facilitate the transport of goods and people.

The network is owned, managed and maintained by the City of Paris. It is not entirely located within the boundaries of the city of Paris, but extends over several departments (in addition to Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Oise and Aisne) and two regions (Île-de-France and Hauts-de-France).

The following routes are part of the network of the Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

• the Saint-Martin canal (4.5 km), located entirely in Paris (10th and 11th arrondissements), which connects the Villette basin to the Arsenal basin, and then to the Seine;
• the Saint-Denis canal (6.6 km), which connects the Villette basin to Saint-Denis, in Seine-Saint-Denis;
• the Ourcq Canal (97 km), which links the Villette Basin to Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, in the Oise department; only the first 11 km, between the Villette Basin and Aulnay-sous-Bois, are accessible to commercial barges;
• the Ourcq River, for 10 km entirely canalized upstream of Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, and several small rivers that partly feed the Ourcq Canal are also part of the network.

Shipping companies that organize Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

To our knowledge, there are only two of them:

• Shipping company Canauxrama
• Shipping company Paris Canal

Canauxrama Shipping Company and its Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

13 Quai de la Loire
75019 Paris
or
50 Boulevard de la Bastille
75012 Paris

In 2013, the Canauxrama company joined the Compagnie des Vedettes du Pont Neuf and together, in 2016, the France Tourisme group.

Canauxrama cruises on the Canal Saint Martin and the Marne

The company uses boats of human size, between 50 and 300 people, for its 2 regular cruises on the Canal Saint Martin, a regular cruise between the Seine and the Canal Saint Martin and 2 irregular cruises on the Marne from Paris (Port du Canal Saint Martin).

• an original and romantic cruise on the Canal Saint Martin: “Old Paris Cruise on the Canal Saint Martin”. Attention the cruise is taken for ONE way OR for a return. See below.
• a “Best of Both Worlds” cruise from the Canal Saint Martin to the Seine, which starts on the Canal Saint Martin, ends on the Seine, takes part of the itinerary of the usual cruises on the Seine of the competitors, to end at the Pont-Neuf, at the Square du Vert-Galant, in the center of Paris, on the Ile de la Cité. The arrival port is the one of the Vedettes du Pont-Neuf. No return to the starting point
• a cruise at the end of the day and another one in the evening : “LA GUINGUETTE PARISIENNE” ON THE SEINE, starting from the port of l’Arsenal on the canal saint Martin. Atmosphere of the popular balls with lanterns, garlands and vichy decoration! Bar and plancha to share.
• a romantic cruise “Guinguettes sur les bords de Marne” – at irregular date – Departure from the port of Paris to navigate on the Marne tributary – duration 8 hours – See availability
• a cruise “La Seine d’île en île, sur la trace des Impressionnistes” – 7 hours – See availability

Ports of embarkation for cruises on the Canal Saint Martin and access

• Departure Port de l’Arsenal (at the foot of the Opera Bastille) – Subway: lines 1,5 and 8 – station Bastille
• Departure Bassin de la Villette (rue Promenade Jean Vigo) – Subway: lines 2,5 and 7 – station Jaurès
• Special for “Le Meilleur des Deux Mondes” cruise from the Canal Saint Martin to the Seine: the boarding is at the crossroads of the rue Jean POULMARCH and 71 quai de Valmy 75010 Paris (metro : République)

Cruise of “Old Paris” (“Croisière du “Vieux Paris”) on the romantic Canal Saint-Martin” – duration 2h30

• Departure : 2:30 pm at the departure port Arsenal OR Villette – up to 3 departures per day – See availability)
• Arrival : 5:00 pm at the port of arrival Villette OR Arsenal
• Bar available on board

• Ticket price: Adult: 18 € – 4 to 12 years old: 10 € – Free for children under 4
• The cruise leaves from the Arsenal port to the Bassin de la Villette OR from the Bassin de la Villette to the Arsenal port depending on your boarding point. Book and see the arrangements
  • Romantic and unusual itinerary of 2h30 between Port de l’Arsenal/arrival Bassin de la Villette or vice versa – Commented in French and English.
  • You will discover the Saint Martin canal with its calm waters, lined with hundred-year-old trees, spanned by elegant footbridges. It is the history of the districts of the “Paris of the Parisians” which will parade under your eyes.
  • You will slide under the mysterious canal-vault under the Bastille, where the light is magical
  • You will pass 4 bubbling double locks, 2 revolving bridges,
  • Relive the “atmosphere” of the Hôtel du Nord in Marcel Carné’s famous film with Arletty and Louis Jouvet,
  • and share the pleasure of the walkers along the banks animated by stores and bistros at the cutting edge of new trends.
  • Before reaching the Parc de la Villette (Cité des Sciences, Géode, Cité de la musique, themed gardens), you will cross the Bassin de la Villette, a former commercial port now redeveloped to showcase the Rotonde de la Villette
  • and finally slide under the amazing Crimée lift bridge.

Cruise “The best of two worlds” (Le Meilleur des Deux Mondes) from the Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine – duration 2 h

• Departure : 10:00 am or 3:00 pm at the crossroads of the rue Jean POULMARCH and the quai de Valmy 75010 Paris (metro : République) – up to 3 departures per day (See availability)
• Arrival : 12:00 or 17:00 at the Ile de la Cité (metro : Pont Neuf)
• Bar available on board

Important note: the boarding is done at the crossing of the street Jean POULMARCH and 71 quai de Valmy 75010 Paris (subway: République) – and not at the Port de la Villette

• This cruise starts on the romantic Canal Saint Martin and ends on the Seine.
• Adults: 20 € – 4 to 12 years old: 10 € – Free for children under 4 years old – Book and see arrangements.
• Embark near the famous Hôtel du Nord, a stone’s throw from the Place de la République, for a two-hour guided tour.
  • Along the water, discover this tree-lined canal, once the heart of the working-class neighborhoods inhabited by the Parisian titis and today a trendy district where boutiques and trendy bistros flourish.
  • Pass under a swing bridge, two locks, footbridges and under the mysterious arch of the Bastille.
  • After crossing the charming marina of Paris (Port de l’Arsenal), you will then enter the Seine and enjoy a superb view of the Notre-Dame cathedral.
  • You will be able to admire the heart of the capital and its famous monuments from the Seine: the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, the National Assembly and of course the Eiffel Tower.
  • Quietly, your cruise will take you to the Ile de la Cité, at the foot of the Conciergerie and the Sainte Chapelle, where you can continue your discovery of the City of Light.

Cruise “LA GUINGUETTE PARISIENNE” on the Seine and to the Port de l’Arsenal (Canal SAINT martin) – 1h30 and 2h00

See dates and calendar by clicking on Availability calendar

This cruise will make you relive the guinguette atmosphere of the popular balls with lanterns, garlands and gingham decor! Let yourself be transported by the joyful and relaxed atmosphere on board, dance to the rhythm of the lively music and enjoy our bar and plancha to share. You will enjoy an exceptional view of the bridges and monuments of Paris, up to the emblematic Eiffel Tower, glittering with a thousand lights as soon as night falls. A magical setting for a friendly, joyful and festive cruise.

• Departure : Pont-Neuf (metro Pont-Neuf) at 6:30 pm, duration of the cruise 1h30 – 20 € adult – 15 € (4-12 years old) – Arrival : Port de Paris-Arsenal (metro Bastille)
• Departure from Port de Paris-Arsenal (Bastille metro station) at 9 pm, duration of the cruise 2 hours – 22 € adult – 15 € (4-12 years old) – Arrival : Port de Paris-Arsenal (Bastille metro station)
• Free for children under 4 years old (option not free)

To be selected at the time of your reservation if you wish to eat

• A plancha of 400g of cold cuts and cheeses to share for 2 persons, made by our partner OPLATO from refined and finely selected products: Serrano Reserva ham, old-fashioned Auvergne sausage, Tomme de Savoie, Abondance, Fourme d’Ambert, Gouda with cumin… 18€ (instead of 20 €)
• Glass of wine : +4.50€ instead of 6€ on board
• Glass of Champagne : +8€ instead of 10€ on board

Cruise ” Guinguettes on the Marne river banks ” – 8 hours

• Price: 45 € (Adult and 4 to 12 years old)
• Dates: consult dates and availability

The day begins in the port of the Arsenal. After passing the Bastille lock, a superb viewpoint on Notre-Dame-de-Paris, discovery of the eastern districts of Paris, Bercy, the Grande Bibliothèque de France. At the confluence of the Marne, Chinagora, the Chinese center marks the limit of the urban landscape.

Quietly the boat goes up the river… passing the Saint Maurice lock, childhood place of Delacroix, the Moulin Brûlé island, the île aux Corbeaux. Leaving Fanac Island, you will enter the “land of the guinguettes” and the painters of the end of the 19th century: Gégène, le p’tit Robinson, the old Convert ball and the Verger à Nogent.

After sailing along the islands of Wolves and Love, the boat turns around at Bry-sur-Marne and docks for lunch at the mythical “Chez Gégène” guinguette in Joinville le pont, where you can enjoy a picnic or restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will go back down to Paris in a “musette” atmosphere animated by our accordionist, discovering superb residences and protected landscapes. During the cruise, comments, anecdotes and dance…

Cruise “The Seine from island to island, in the footsteps of the Impressionists” – 7 hours

Included in your cruise, a delicious buffet meal is served to please young and old – 85 € (Adult) – 45 € (4-12 years old) – See dates and availability.

Embark in the charming port of l’Arsenal, then cross the heart of the City of Light going west. Our guide will tell you the history of the most famous monuments and prestigious bridges of the ancient Lutetia. The boat continues its descent of the Seine towards the West of Paris. After having greeted the Statue of Liberty, passed the André Citroën Park, it leaves Paris to arrive in the Hauts de Seine.

The “Grand Paris” of tomorrow is then taking shape with the Saint Germain island, where the impressive Dubuffet’s Tower of Figures is erected, then the Seguin island, famous for its industrial past and future island of two cultures. You will go along the Parc de Saint Cloud, the Bois de Boulogne, cross the lock of Suresnes, see the island of Puteaux and the island of La Jatte, famous in the XIXth century for its numerous “guinguettes” and for having inspired many painters: Monet, Van Gogh, Sisley…

You will then discover the department of Yvelines, with the Ile St-Martin or the Ile Fleurie, a protected site and the upstream part of the Ile de Chatou also nicknamed the Island of the Impressionists, where you will find the restaurant “La Fournaise”, once popular with 19th century artists such as Manet, Maupassant and of course Renoir who immortalized this place with his famous painting: “Déjeuner des canotiers”.

In the afternoon, you will go back to Paris with a musician on board, who will make you dance and sing as if you were in a guinguette.

Other services by Canauxrama on the canals of PARIS starting from a Parisian port

• Cruise “Half a day on the Marne river banks”.
• Cruise on the Seine Upstream : Architectures on the water’s edge
• Cruises in Paris on the Canal St Martin, the Seine, the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Marne
• Cruise from the Parc de la Villette to the Stade de France, on the Olympic canal
• When the Olympic Games transform the city, on the Saint-Denis canal and the Seine
• Street Art and urban cultures cruise on the Saint-Denis canal to the Parc de la Villette

Paris Canal Shipping Company and Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

The Paris Canal company was created in 1977. For more than 40 years, it has been organizing walking cruises, dinner cruises and lunch cruises on the Seine, the Marne and, of course, on the Saint Martin Canal and the Ourcq Canal, all of them are cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals. In addition to the scheduled cruises, it organizes on demand and à la carte “privatized” cruises and receptions for weddings, birthdays, work meetings, conferences, seminars.

Port of embarkation of the Musée d’Orsay (Above picture):
12 Port de Solférino Quai Anatole France (at the foot of the Musée d’Orsay)
PARIS 70012

Access

• Metro: line 12 – Solférino station
• RER C: Musée d’Orsay station
• Bus: 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, 94
• Paying parking lots: Parking Indigo 9 rue Montalembert 75007 Paris – Parking Indigo 1 Avenue du Général Lemonnier 75001 Paris.

Port of embarkation of the PARC de la Villette – Paris

In the Parc de la Villette, on the Canal de l’Ourcq, behind the restaurant “My Boat”, Paris 19th – Entrance to the Parc de la Villette 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès 75019 Paris. Good to know : A bus stop type post indicates our landing stage

Access

• Metro: Line 5 – Station Porte de Pantin or line 7 – Station Porte de la Villette
• Bus: 75, 151 – Stop : Porte de Pantin.
• Streetcar: T3b – Stop : Porte de Pantin
• Velib: Nearest Velib stations: Place de la Porte de Pantin 75019 Paris and opposite 9 Quai de Metz 75019 Paris
• Paying parking lots: Parking Cité de la Musique 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès 75019 Paris – Parking Q Park Philarmonie 185 Boulevard Serurier 75019 Paris – Parking Indigo Cité des Sciences 61 Boulevard Macdonald 75019 Paris

BASSIN de la Villette boarding port

19/21 Quai de la Loire, Paris 19e. Located at the beginning of the Canal Saint Martin, near the Rotonde Ledoux next to the MK2 cinemas

• Metro: lines 2, 5 and 7 – Jaurès or Stalingrad stations
• Bus: 26, 48 Jaurès stop.
• Velib: Nearest Velib stations: 4, Quai de la Loire 75019 Paris – 18-20, Rue Euryale Dehaynin 75019 Paris – 9, Quai de Seine 75019 Paris

Service: The Canal Saint-Martin Cruise and the Seine

• The cruise can be done on the outward journey: Musée d’Orsay (Paris) -> Parc de la Villette (Canal Saint Martin)
• or on the “return boat” : Parc de la Villette (Canal Sint Martin) -> Musée d’Orsay (Paris)

Duration: 2h30 – cruise with commentary in French and English

Price: Adult: 22 euros – Children up to 3 years old: free – Children (4-14 years old): 14 euros – Youth (15-25 years old): 19 euros – Seniors (+60 years old): 19 euros – Family offer: 2 adults/seniors + 2 children/youth = 18 euros discount on the total

Schedule: The Canal Saint Martin Cruise is usually (Check availability)

• 10am : Departure from Musée d’Orsay to Parc de la Villette
• 3pm : Departure from Musée d’Orsay arrival at Parc de la Villette
• 2:30 pm : Departure from Parc de la Villette arrival at Musée d’Orsay

Service “La Guinguette du Canal – Musical and romantic dinner on the Canal Saint-Martin and the Seine”

Duration: 3 hours

Price: Adult : 77 euros – Child (4-14 years old) : 67 euros

Schedule – (Check dates and availability)

• 7:30 pm : Bassin de la Villette – 19 Quai de la Loire
• 10:30 pm : Arrival at the Port de Solférino (Musée d’Orsay)
• from April to mid-October. every Friday (Check dates and availability)

Embarkation at the Bassin de la Villette, in front of Ledoux’s magnificent rotunda, in the majestic calm of one of the largest bodies of water in Paris.

You will immediately enter the first locks, where you will be able to admire the play of the water under romantic footbridges. You will experience exciting moments while discovering the swing bridges up to the lock of the Arsenal harbor, passing under the Bastille.

Halfway through the tour, the boat goes under the famous underground vault with natural light shafts that passes under the Bastille square.

You will arrive on the Seine, where the main monuments of the capital will dazzle you: the private mansions of the Saint-Louis island, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries garden… Exceptional and rare moments that will lead you to the foot of the Orsay Museum, close to the Place de la Concorde and the Boulevard Saint Germain.

Note: the cruise on the Seine part includes the passage in front of Notre-Dame, the Ile Saint-Louis, the Tuileries…does not go beyond the Musée d’Orsay (the passage in front of the Eiffel Tower is not on the route).

Menu served during the cruise :

• Croustillant of Saint Marcelin and its mesclun
• Pike steak with white butter sauce and parmesan risotto
• Pana Cotta and its coulis

Service “Aperitif on a boat on the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin in the late afternoon”. Cruises on the romantic Parisian-canals

2 routes to choose from:

• Orsay Museum to Parc de la Villette
• or Parc de la Villette to Musée d’Orsay

Duration : 2h30

Ticket price: Price: Adult : 22 euros – Child (4-14 years old) : 14 euros – up to 3 years old : free – Youth (15-25 years old) : 19 euros – Senior (+60 years old) : 19 euros – Family offer : 2 adults/seniors + 2 children/youth = 18 euros discount on the total

Optional and in addition: Plate of cold cuts, cheese or raw vegetables: 15€ (Note: Remember to reserve your plates in advance, at check-in)

Schedule – (Check dates and availability)

• 6:30 pm : Departure from the Musée d’Orsay to the Parc de la Villette
• 6:30 pm : Departure from Parc de la Villette arrival at Musée d’Orsay
• from April to mid-October. (Check scheduled dates and availability)

A unique and original cruise on the Canal Saint Martin and the Seine in the late afternoon, which will make you discover Paris under its most beautiful light. A river and musical break, during which you will be able to contemplate the capital’s inescapable but also unknown monuments while having a drink on the boat’s terrace.

You will cross the mysterious vault of the Bastille and pass under romantic bridges. You will cross the different locks of the canal which will lead you to the Bassin de la Villette, to the port of the Arsenal or on the Seine at the foot of Notre-Dame and up to the Musée d’Orsay… (The Eiffel Tower is not included in the tour).

Experience a moment of relaxation out of the ordinary!

The Afterwork Cruise – Musical Aperitif Cruise on the Bassin de la Villette

What you can see :

• The Bassin de la Villette and its majestic water level
• The rotunda of Ledoux
• The lifting bridge of Crimée
• The banks of the Canal de l’Ourcq
• The Parc de la Villette

• 18h00 : Departure from the Bassin de la Villette
• 20h00 : Departure from the Bassin de la Villette
• Duration of the cruise : 1 hour 15 minutes
• Departure : Bassin de la Villette – 19 Quai de la Loire – Paris
• Arrival : Bassin de la Villette – 19 Quai de la Loire – Paris

• Adult : 10 euros – Drinks in addition
• Bar on board : Beer/Wine 6€ – Soft drinks 4€ – Charcuterie board 15

Enjoy an exceptional moment. The Ourcq canal leads you to the mills of Pantin and offers you authentic and open banks, dotted with cultural places and small unsuspected bars. You will arrive in the Parc de la Villette where the boat will turn around…

Come to vibrate on the basin of the Villette to the rhythm of DJ selected by our care

What you can do on board :

• Vibrate to the rhythm of the Afterwork playlist or a Live DJ
• Have a glass of wine, a cold beer or a soda
• Enjoy tapas or platters of cold cuts/cheese
• Discover a still unknown part of Paris

Other services by Paris Canal on the canals of PARIS from a Parisian port

• Cruise on the Saint-Denis canal from Paris Parc de la Villette to the Stade de France
• Street Art and urban culture cruise on the Saint-Denis canal to the Parc de la Villette
• Cruise on the Ourcq Canal – The discovery of the longest canal in Paris

Other services by Paris Canal on the Seine-Aval from a Parisian port

• Cruise to Rueil Malmaison – A trip on the Seine to discover the west of Paris!
• Cruise on the Saint-Denis canal and the Seine with a tour of the Saint-Denis island
• Cruise from Paris to Issy les Moulineaux and Sèvres – A walk on the Seine to discover the west of Paris
• Night cruise on the Seine – Illuminations of the west of Paris

Other services by Paris Canal on the Seine-Amont river from a Parisian port

• Lunch cruise on the Boucle de la Marne – 2nd Sunday of the month in summer (Check dates and availability with the navigation company)

• Duration : 5h45 – 5h45
• Schedules : (Check dates and availability with the shipping company)
  • 10:15 am : Departure from Paris – Port de Solférino (Musée d’Orsay)
  • 4:00 pm : Arrival in Paris – Port de Solférino (Musée d’Orsay)

• Fare: Adult : 82 euros – Child (4-11 years old) : 72 euros – Drinks not included – Bar on board

What you can see :

• Departure on the Seine: the Orsay Museum, the Louvre, the Saint-Louis Island
• The operation of the Saint Maurice lock
• The banks of Maison Alfort and the island of Moulin Brûlé
• The famous loop of the Marne
• Bonneuil and its port, the island of the Moulin Bateau
• Back to the Seine : Notre-Dame, the Tuileries…