This looks like it would be fun to do.

http://www.pariscanal.com/actus.php3?id_rubrique=13

It does indeed, and great minds must think alike as I was just thinking that I needed to look this up, as I'd heard something vague about it but didn't know the web site. I've just decided to go to Paris for a week at the end of April, so if I do it I'll report back.

very nice

We loved it but I don't remember if it was this particular company or another boat as we only went as far as Port de L'Arsenal from Basin de la Villette.
Some say going the other way is better.
We really enjoyed the ride back by boat after walking up to Villette.
Something that was fascinating was watching the 'barnicles' on the walls squirt water out as the level of the canal dropped!

This is a fabulous way to enjoy the scenery on a nice day! We did the trip from La Villette (after a nice lunch) to d'Orsay on a Thursday (when the Musee d'Orsay is open late).

Going under the Bastille - awesome!

There are two firms doing trips on the canal:
www.pariscanal.com
www.canauxrama.com
It's a relaxing trip as the boat moves very slowly through parts of the city that most tourists don't see.

If one starts at the D'orsay, what are the return options from Parc de la Villette? Why might the ride be better in one direction than the other?

The mooring at Parc de la Villette is near the metro station Porte de Pantin on line 5.
www.pariscanal.com
www.ratp.fr

I had just returned from Paris. We had tried to find the boarding point at the Metro Villette stop. Unfortunately, we never made it to the boat!

We got out and found the Science (Technology) museum. We walked around and passed by the Quick burger joint. We continued and followed the river out of the park and evetually (15-20 miniutes later?) came to a point where we had to cross at a moving bridge. (It would move up and down to allow for boats to cross.) Exactly where does the afternoon cruise board? Was it in the park itself or way down past the bridge? Thanks!

Eight years ago Ms. Bear and I took the canal cruise from the Bastille area to Parc de la Vilette and walked back after trolling through le parc. The boat trip was very interesting (and very slow--you could walk it much faster). We probably won't do it again, but we are glad we did it once.

bookmarking...

Took the canal cruise two weeks ago. Started at the Arsenal Marina near the Bastille (across from the Opera house). Fare was 15E. It was a slow, relaxing trip -- partly underground in a tunnel under the Bastille, and mostly above ground. Made our way through a number of locks (4, I believe) with narration along the way. Ended at the Parc de la Villette. I thought the trip was a nice interlude and quite scenic. From the disembarkation point, we walk a little ways to the Republic metro station that took us back to our starting point.

• If I had gone earlier in the day, I would have liked to spend some time exploring the park.
• On a short or first trip to Paris, I don't think I would spend the time for this trip, but on a longer or on subsequent trips, this takes one to an area that is somewhat off the beaten track
• I have heard that the "other" cruise company, which embarks near the Orsay, is more scenic with the addition of part of the Seine, but I did not look into that line

A bit off-topic:

This May we got off the Metro at Republique and walked along the St. Martin canal to the Juarez Metro...it was fun...I think the part of the canal north of Juarez probably would have been prettier (there were a bunch of homeless tenters along the canal where we walked), but it was a very interesting stroll and we got to see the locks in action.

SS

We did the trip from Parc de la Villette a couple of weeks ago, had seen Cigalechanta's post and kept it for reference. Called on the day we had decided to go,(pariscanal.com) they take calls after 10am, and took the Metro to the Villette station. We were instructed on which Metro exit to take, walked up some steps, along under a blue covered way, over a bridge, and there were 2 signs for boarding the boats, one for each company.
Ride was very enjoyable, I think there were 9 locks altogether, and finished at d'Orsay -narration in French and English.

bookmarking

Have done the Canal St Martin tour and really enjoyed it as a relaxing afternoon. To go past the sights of the Seine as well would be lovely.

From our trip I think it would be better going from central Paris to La Villete because that way you get to see the water pouring (almost thundering) into the locks. If you travel the other way, you would only have the water draining away each time so nothing much to see. From La Villette it was only half an hour by train back to where we were staying in the 7th.