We did this trip 4 years ago, also after 10+ trips to Paris, and enjoyed it very much! You'll find some pictures near the end of our phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=f363d0s.chrnsuwo&x=0&y=-24d4pe. We would also recommend the longer day cruise down the Marne, which we did last year; photos at http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=435124542408%3A1480983205&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharer

Yes! We also did this trip several years ago. I think our guide was a great influence on our enjoyment of the whole experience; not sure if he would still be around.

We took the metro out to Porte de la Villette, then travelled back into Paris along the canal. It's a great way to hear the history of that area, and experience the tunnel that runs under the Bastille.

On a more recent trip we walked along the canal from the city centre end, and picnicked in a little community garden / park en route. Di

I enjoy the trip, but I think that some people with something specific scheduled later in the day get impatient or bored, because we now live in a world where people want to "fast forward" everything instead of letting time go by at a normal speed.

I liked it, found it interesting and scenic. If you go in the direction from the Bastille toward La Villette, you are rising into the view in each lock. If you are going in the other direction, you are descending in each lock. I have read some accounts here where people preferred the rising direction. That is the direction in which I took it, and I took lots of pictures.

We enjoyed it, too, but would have enjoyed it more with fewer people on the boat. We happened to be near the Bastille on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, so we took the trip, which was on our list anyway...oh, well. So, do it during the week, if you can.

We've done this cruise twice, in each direction. We plan do to it again next spring with our grandson. If you leave from d'Orsay in the morning, you can then walk back along the canal and stop for a drink a/o lunch in one of the many little cafes, bars or restaurants along the way.

Or you can metro to Villette and enjoy the Science Center for a little while before taking the trip back to the center of Paris. This is what we plan to do with Seb next year.

It is a little slow, but sometimes it's nice to be forced to slow down and just enjoy for a few hours.

Jo

Kerouac modestly did not mention his own photo tour of the canal and its neighbourhoods, which can be seen here: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=paris&action=display&thread=3491&page=1
I enjoyed the process of navigating the locks and the views of a dynamic area. But be aware that a significant stretch of the canal flows inside a tunnel, which is interesting but not in a scenic way.

I'd be interesting in doing this on our next trip, planned for next March.

where do you pick it up? the bastille - or the quay d'orsay?

how long does it last?

can you/should you book in advance?

SemiMike---your photos are getting me in the "Paris mood". I especially enjoyed the photos of the Passages.

Southam---thanks for including kerouac's photo tour it really gave a good idea of the trip.

Since we enjoy just wandering and not having an agenda, this looks like a good fit for us on a nice day.

This is a nice, relaxing diversion for those who have been to Paris before. I took the little cruise from the Bastille end of the canal up to Parc de la Villette. It was interesting and fun. Lots of different things to see on a short trip (locks to change elevation, tunnel underground, the park, etc.). The neighborhoods on the way up to the park look interesting and worth a separate exploration too.

thanks, leburta.

I'll have to do some research.

TPAYT: Thanks for asking the question!!! Looks like a wonderful way to spend a relaxed day in Paris! We're planning an extended stay in Sept 2012!

I took the cruise from the Bastille with 4 children ages 11-14 this May. We spent the afternoon at the Science museum which they loved, had lunch in the area ,walked a bit and took the metro back to our apartment.
A good day for all of us.

Here's the link to the company that runs the boats.

http://www.canauxrama.com/e_saint-martin.htm

you get a €2.50 discount per person if you book in line. [€13.50 pp instead of €16.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's been a long time since I went to Paris thinking I had to GET somewhere and DO something. I think if you're not new to the city or on a schedule, it's a great activity.

Yes! We throughly enjoyed the trip up. We took pictures of the people watching us and they took pictures of us, the people on the boat.

We took this trip last week. I loved it. You go through some beautiful neighborhoods. Yes, it's slow, and you are the entertainment for the people on the shore or waiting on bridges that are closed when the barge goes through. They don't let you bring a bottle of wine on board, but bring a picnic lunch and buy a bottle of their wine, and you are in heaven...

We also took this trip on a warm summer's afternoon. It was relaxing and interesting. I knew how long it would take (only a couple of jhours afterall) and we were in no rush to go anywhere. The commentary was good and I saw parts of Paris that I had never seen before. We left from Bastille and headed up inot the locks which make for some exciting photos. We enjoyed finishing at Parc de Villette but unfortunately for us we did this on a Monday and the Science Museum was closed. If that is something you want to see then check the opening times. The park itself was still enjoyable though. It was then an easy metro ride back.

ok, not something to do on a monday then.

I may have to force myself to go shopping!

We did this in May on our first real trip to Paris [together and for an extended period of time]. It was a beautiful spring day and we departed from The Bastile. It was a lovely trip and we enjoyed the easy pace and the filling of the locks. I think it is more dramatic to rise in the locks than to lower, the rush of the incoming water was really awesome.

https://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/CanalTripSacreCoeur

annhig----ooooh, shopping on Monday. I may be wrong, but we found many shops to be closed on Monday.