Living in Canal Saint-Martin

Understanding life in Canal Saint-Martin

Why people choose to live here

Canal Saint-Martin covers the southern part of the 10th arrondissement, between the Boulevard de Strasbourg, the Boulevard Saint-Martin, Place de la République and the Rue des Récollets, with the canal's tree lined quays running through its eastern half. It is one of the most sought after areas of eastern Paris: residential streets, independent shops and cafés sit side by side, and the quays fill with locals on sunny evenings. Young professionals, creatives and international newcomers choose it for its relaxed village feel, its excellent transport links and its easy walking distance to the Marais.

History and architectural character of Canal Saint-Martin

The canal grew out of Napoleon's 1802 plan to bring fresh water and goods from the Ourcq river into Paris, and it opened in 1825. Nine double locks carry boats down about 25 metres to the Seine, and iron footbridges built between 1860 and 1890 still cross the water. The Hôtel du Nord, at 102 quai de Jemmapes, gave its name to Marcel Carné's 1938 film. To the south, the Porte Saint-Martin, a triumphal arch built in 1674 for Louis XIV, marks the old city limit, and the Mairie of the 10th stands on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin.

Daily life in Canal Saint-Martin

Shopping and local services

Daily shopping is easy on foot. The Marché couvert Saint-Martin, at 31-33 rue du Château-d'Eau, is a covered market open Tuesday to Sunday with greengrocers, cheese, fish and ready meals. Du Pain et des Idées, at 34 rue Yves-Toudic, is one of the city's most celebrated bakeries and opens on weekdays only. The Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin and the Rue de Lancry have butchers, organic grocers, pharmacies and supermarkets, while the Rue Beaurepaire is known for concept stores and fashion boutiques. Banks and post offices are close to Place de la République.

Education and family life

Families have a good choice of public schools. The École élémentaire Récollets, on the Passage des Récollets, and the École Marcel Marceau, at 15 rue de Lancry, cover the primary years, and the École maternelle Legouvé takes the youngest children. The Collège Louise-Michel, on the Rue Jean-Poulmarch, serves secondary pupils, and places in public schools are allocated by home address. The private Lycée Bossuet Notre-Dame is on the Rue Yves-Toudic. The canal quays and the Jardin Villemin give children space to play, cycle and run off energy after school.

Health and medical services

Healthcare is close at hand. The Hôpital Saint-Louis, a major AP-HP teaching hospital founded in 1607 by Henri IV, stands just north on the Avenue Claude-Vellefaux and has an adult emergency department. The Hôpital Lariboisière, near Gare du Nord, is a short metro ride away. General practitioners, dentists and specialists practise throughout the area, and many accept the carte Vitale under the French public health system. Pharmacies line the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin and the Boulevard de Magenta. Newcomers should register with a médecin traitant to lower the cost of most consultations.

Transportation and connectivity

Connections are excellent. République, on the southern edge, is one of the city's main hubs, served by metro lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11. Jacques Bonsergent, in the heart of the area, is on line 5, Château d'Eau on line 4, and Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, on the western edge, serves lines 4, 8 and 9. Gare de l'Est is a short walk north, with metro lines 4, 5 and 7, suburban trains and TGVs to eastern France and Germany. Protected cycle lanes run along the Boulevard de Magenta, and the quays are popular with cyclists.

Leisure, culture, and social life

Parks and green spaces

The canal itself is the neighbourhood's main green space. Its quays are lined with plane trees and benches, and on warm evenings residents gather along the water's edge for picnics. The Jardin Villemin, on the northern edge along the Rue des Récollets, is one of the largest gardens in the 10th, with lawns, shaded paths and playgrounds. Place de la République, redesigned in 2013 as a largely pedestrian square, offers open space for skating, markets and events. For a full day outdoors, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is about a 20 minute walk north east.

Restaurants, cafés, and nightlife

The quays are lined with cafés and restaurants. Chez Prune, at 36 rue Beaurepaire, is a classic canal side café with a busy terrace from breakfast until late. The Hôtel du Nord, on the Quai de Jemmapes, now serves brasserie dishes in its historic dining room, open every day from morning. Le Comptoir Général, at 84 quai de Jemmapes, is a sprawling bar and restaurant with a Sunday brunch, closed on Mondays. The Rue de Lancry and the Rue Beaurepaire add bistros, wine bars and cafés, so quiet courtyard flats are worth considering for light sleepers.

Culture and local events

Culture has deep roots here. The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, on the Boulevard Saint-Martin, is one of the city's grand historic playhouses, and the Théâtre de la Renaissance stands right next door. The Porte Saint-Martin arch, with its carved reliefs celebrating Louis XIV's victories, is a striking landmark. The Mairie of the 10th hosts exhibitions and local events. Watching tour boats pass through the locks, as the swing bridges at the Rue Dieu and the Rue de la Grange-aux-Belles turn aside, is a favourite local pastime.