Canal Saint-Martin
| Canal Saint-Martin | |
|---|---|
 Plan of the Canal Saint-Martin | |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) |
| Maximumboat length | 40.70 m (133.5 ft) |
| Maximumboat beam | 7.70 m (25.3 ft) |
| Locks | 9 |
| History | |
| Current owner | Ville de Paris |
| Date approved | 1802 |
| Date completed | 1825 |
| Geography | |
| Start point | ParisPlace de Stalingrad (Bassin de la Villette, Canal de l'Ourcq) |
| End point | ParisQuai de la Râpée (entrance lock from Seine) |
| Beginningcoordinates | 48°53′32″N2°23′10″E/ 48.8923°N 2.3862°E |
| Endingcoordinates | 48°50′48″N2°21′57″E/ 48.8468°N 2.3657°E |
| Connects to | Canal de l'OurcqandRiver Seine |
TheCanal Saint-Martin(French pronunciation:[kanalsɛ̃maʁtɛ̃]) is a 4.6 km (2.86 mi) longcanalinParis,connecting theCanal de l'Ourcqto the riverSeine.Nearly half its length (2,069 metres (2,263 yd)), between the Rue du Faubourg du Temple and thePlace de la Bastille,was covered in the mid-19th century to create wide boulevards and public spaces on the surface.[1]The canal is drained and cleaned every 10–15 years, and it is always a source of fascination for Parisians to discover curiosities and even some treasures among the hundreds of tons of discarded objects.
History
[edit]
Gaspard de Chabrol,prefect of Paris, proposed building a canal from the river Ourcq, 100 km northeast of Paris, to supply the city with fresh water to support a growing population and help avoid diseases such asdysenteryandcholera,while also supplying fountains (including the monumentalElephant of the Bastille) and allowing the streets to be cleaned. Construction of the canal was ordered byNapoleon Iin 1802 and construction took place until 1825, funded by a new tax on wine.
The canal was also used to supply Paris with grain, building materials and other goods, carried on canal boats. Two ports were created on the canal in Paris to unload the boats:Port de l'Arsenaland theBassin de la Villette.
By the 1960s, traffic had dwindled to a trickle and the canal narrowly escaped being filled in and paved over for a highway.
Route
[edit]The entrance to the canal from the vast terminal basin (Bassin de la Villette) of theCanal de l'Ourcqis at a doublelocknear thePlace de Stalingrad.Continuing towards the riverSeine,the canal is bordered by the Quai de Valmy on the right bank and the Quai de Jemmapes on the left, passing through three more double staircase locks before disappearing under the three successivevoûtes(tunnels) – du Temple, Richard-Lenoir and Bastille – to emerge in thePort de l'Arsenal,the principal port for boats visiting and residing in Paris.
Tourism
[edit]Today, the canal is a popular destination for Parisians and tourists. Some take cruises on the canal in passenger boats. Others watch the barges and other boats navigate the series of locks and pass under the attractive cast-iron footbridges. There are many popular restaurants and bars along the open part of the canal, which is also popular with students.
Métro stations
[edit]The canal can be accessed from the followingParis Métrostations:Stalingrad,République,Goncourt,(Paris Métro) Jacques Bonsergent,Jaurès.
In popular culture
[edit]Art
The canal inspired painters such asAlfred Sisley(1839-1899). In the present day, many intricate works of graffiti are visible along the canal, and there is a large multimedia art space on its banks at the former municipal undertakers building at 104 rue d'Aubervilliers ('104').
Film and television
- The canal was the setting in part forJean Vigo's filmL'Atalantein 1934.
- The canal is shown in the 1938 filmHôtel du Nord,directed byMarcel Carné.[2]
- InLes Malheurs d'Alfred(1972),Pierre RichardandAnny Dupereymeet each other at the beginning of the film, thinking of committing suicide in the canal.
- The French police seriesPJuses an external shot of a building at 52rue Bichat,located next to the canal, as the frontage of the police station. Cars were often shown exiting the building and the canal and adjacent neighbourhood were used as backdrops for scenes.
- The canal appears inJean-Pierre Jeunet's famous 2001 film known in English asAmélie,in which the title character is shown enjoying one of her favourite activities:skipping stonesat the locks of the canal.[3]
- The canal was used as an escape route for Ethan Hunt and his team in the 2018 filmMission: Impossible – Fallout.
- The Canal was used byJohn Wickas a route to get closer toSaint-Eustachein the 2023 filmJohn Wick: Chapter 4.
- The canal was used in the 2024 filmUnder Paris.
Music
- Édith Piafsings about the canal in the song "Les mômes de la cloche",written byVincent Scottoand Decaye, music by Médinger, in 1936.
- Courteenerssong "The Dilettante" mentions the canal and talks of the pleasant atmosphere surrounding it.
Literature
- Georges Simenon's novelMaigret and the Headless Corpse (Maigret et le corps sans tête)is set in and around the canal.
Gallery
[edit]-
Canal St. Martin atSquare Frédérick-Lemaître -
The Boulevard Jules-Ferry, which covers the lower end of the canal -
A typical iron bridge over the canal -
The locks of the Récollets
References
[edit]- ^Edwards-May, David (2010).Inland Waterways of France.St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. pp. 90–94.ISBN978-1-846230-14-1.
- ^However, the film was shot in the studios of Boulogne-Billancourt where the scenery of the canal was rebuilt byAlexandre Trauner.
- ^The Guardianreview, 15 August 2001
External links
[edit]
- Paris - Canal de l'Ourcq, Canal Saint-Denis and Canal Saint-Martinmaps and information on places, ports and moorings on the canals, by the author ofInland Waterways of France,Imray
- Navigation details for 80 French rivers and canals(French waterways website section)
- Blog of the Canal Saint-Martin quarterArchived2014-03-12 at theWayback Machine(in French)
- Canal Saint-Martin mapArchived2015-06-10 at theWayback Machine(in French)
- The sunken treasures of a Paris canal
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