Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, Episode 119

Categories: First Time in Paris, Paris

The Canal Saint-Martin in Paris is a favorite of bloggers and gets high praise for atmosphere, scenic views, and as a place where "you just have to go"! But there are rumors and news reports that maybe all is not well in paradise, and the rumors are true. We explain what's happening at the Canal Saint-Martin in this episode.

I Had to See For Myself

I had to go see for myself, and talk to other people about it too. My friend Brenda from California who took a Canal Saint-Martin Cruise in July 2015, which gave her a different perspective on the area. We discuss what we saw and whether or not we were enchanted as promised.

My discussion with Brenda starts at [5'30"]

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man walking along the canal saint-martin

Let's Review

In a way, it is good that France has liberal policies concerning these populations of homeless and migrant people who have a hard time fitting in. It’s good to be compassionate, but when they take over an area that is right along a major tourist attraction, it’s difficult to recommend that tourist attraction until things are better.

Most visitors can tolerate some amount of trash and unsightliness, but around the Canal Saint-Martin it has gotten out of control.

Learn More: Paris as a Destination

All Is Not Well In Paradise

And if you’d like to refer back to episode 111, David Palachek told us that the Canal Saint-Martin is the only place in Paris where he felt uncomfortable and his visit was quite recent as well. That is one of the reasons why Annie absolutely wanted to go see it, because she has never felt uncomfortable and unsafe anywhere in Paris so far.

And she would go as far as saying that she felt unsafe walking along the Canal Saint-Martin (neither would Brenda), but these facts make it up “meh” kind of place or as the French put it “bof, bof, bof”.


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Show Notes 

Categories: First Time in Paris, Paris

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