Canal Saint-Martin Cruise: Length, Price, Departures and Which Option to Choose
A cruise on the Canal Saint-Martin links the Arsenal marina (Bastille) with the Bassin de la Villette in about 2h30, passing locks and swing bridges. Canauxrama advertises €23 for the canal cruise and €25 with the Seine (noted October 2026, to be confirmed on its site). There are three options: the canal only in 2h30, the canal plus the Seine, or a shorter cruise of about 1h15 (around $27 on GetYourGuide).
Highlights
The canal locks
The cruise passes through several double locks: the boat rises or drops several metres, a manoeuvre that is the highlight of the route. Reviews note that the locks take a fair amount of time.
Footbridges and swing bridges
The canal is lined with cast-iron footbridges and swing bridges, including the Bichat footbridge. The operator cites two swing bridges and four double locks on the stretch.
The vault under Bastille
The Canauxrama version with the Seine goes through the Bastille tunnel, a lit underground stretch linking the canal to the Seine. Reviews say the commentary can be hard to hear in the tunnel.
Practical info
Tips
- The Bastille to La Villette direction ends near the Parc de la Villette. The canal-only version costs about €23; the Seine version costs slightly more but also takes 2h30. For a shorter, cheaper cruise, look at the roughly 1h15 one-way option. From April to September there are daily departures; from October to March, booking is advised (information from a guide, to be confirmed). Choose a seat at the front or on deck to hear and photograph better.
How to get there
Departure from the Arsenal marina, opposite 50 boulevard de la Bastille (metro Bastille, lines 1, 5 and 8), or from the Bassin de la Villette, opposite 13 quai de la Loire (metro Jaurès, lines 2, 5 and 7bis). More in our Canal Saint-Martin page.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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