Paris canal ride ?claustrophobic
 

We are going to Paris in 3 days and want to take a boat trip. One commentator said that the 3 hour trip from the musee d'orsay which goes up Canal St. Martin is underground for 1 mile. Can anyone who has done this tell me if a somewhat claustrophobic person will mind this? How high is the ceiling in the underground part? I love canal rides but am a bit concerned.
Thanks.

epi - I did a Canal St. Martin trip a year or so ago. I took it from the stop near the Bastille to the Parc des Villettes (sp?)which was not a three hour trip. I am somewhat claustrophobic but was not bothered at all. The underground area is quite wide - at least three boats wide and it is quite a bit more than high enough to stand - much larger than a subway tunnel which is basically a little bigger than the train if that helps you. There was a cool little light show which made it seem faster. There were also a few openings in the ceiling (?) through which you could see the sky above. Give it a try. Have fun,
Mara

If you are only going to be in Paris for 3 days there are just too many other things to do that are MUCH more interesting. It isn't about claustrophobia--it's about boredom. Go on a Seine cruise at sunset and enjoy the lights coming up.

We've also taken the ride from Bastille to La Villette and it is about the most boring ride on earth. Don't waste your time if you have never been to Paris before. We've been many times so it was not a total loss for us, but for someone who has not been there before I'd not recommend it.

It was OK for about 30 min. after that it got boring! It's a fairly wide canal and high enough as well. There were lights in the tunnels too if I remember correctly.

There are a lot of better ways to sightsee for sure.

I took the Canal St Martin/Seine trip during a month's stay in Paris and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our commentator was very funny and spoke fluent English and French so commentated in both. Frankly, I don't remember this very long tunnel - must not have made an impression. The thing I liked about it was seeing a different part of Paris. I took, years ago, one of the massive night boat trips (my first trip-short) and talk about boring! The trip was recorded in several languages and I couldn't hear any. You need to know the monuments/palaces, etc. ahead of time to appreciate what you're looking at. Depends on how much time you'll be in Paris.

Three hours? That can't be right. Is it really a "C" activity? What about walking the canal area?

Thank you for the information. We may do it. Just for your info, this is our 8th trip to Paris and we are going in 3 days, not for 3 days. I completely agree that I wouldn't do this on an early trip to Paris nor on a 3 day trip. We like to go and rent an apartment for a week and explore both the familiar and new areas. I feel reassured that I will not mind the underground part, and will factor in all the comments. We have really enjoyed canal trips in other cities, since it gives a different view from walking the streets, but I had never noticed that any canals exist in Paris. This forum is a great resource!

We took the canal ride on our third visit to Paris and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was scenic and totally relaxing (as opposed to boring...). Though, we started at La Villette (after a nice lunch on the way) and ended at Musee d'Orsay (on a Thursday, when it's open late).

I thought going underground at Bastille would be really spooky, but it wasn't at all. There are frequent openings where you can see the sky, too. I don't remember how high the ceiling is, but it's not low.

i did it on my last trip. it is fun. as someone who hates tunnels , there was no problem.
being your 8th visit i will recomend the promenade de planet near the Bastille, looking at part of the Viadoc de Arts. the parc Andre Citroen with the balloon.
and for sunday the rue Muffetard.
shula

The canal trip takes three hours because the boat has to go through a series of locks. I think the longest stretch without any locks is the tunnel. The tunnel itself is wide and airy; it wasn't cut through the ground, but the canal was in a cutting which was then roofed over. There are openings to let in some light and fresh air. The trip gives a different view of parts of Paris which are not thronged with tourists. It's not worth doing if you just want to see the sights which are pictured in every guide book and which most tourists queue up to see.

I get a bit panicky in tunnels usually, but the canal trip was fine - as Geoff says, the tunnel is wide and airy. I thought it was fun to be floating along underneath the Place de la Bastille. The ride is indeed quite long because of all the locks. If you enjoy watching the world go by, seeing new parts of Paris (especially the area round the canal which is not generally on the tourist path) then you'll enjoy it. You can also combine the boat ride with a trip to the Parc de la Villette and visit one of the exhibitions at the Cité de la Science, or the Imax cinema (la Géode), or simply stroll in the park.
Incidentally, Skaf's recommendation of the Promenade Planté along the viaduct is a great idea. You get some great eye-level views of Parisian architecture that you wouldn't get walking along at pavement level.

I am now convinced to do the canal ride. Were your trips with Paris Canal company or canauxrama? Skaf, thanks for the suggestions. We have walked around the viaduc des art, but it was a while ago and did not walk on the top. That's a good reminder. It is near (sort of) our favorite roving market Richard Lenoir. We have not been to Parc Andre Citroen and will if the weather allows. Right now, the forecast is pretty bad for next week.

Tunnel is not claustrophobic. Trip gets old, though.

Yeah, good to do something never did before. Yeah, Great to see Parc La Villete area. But I was the cheerleader insisting ma famille try this out, and even though I just smiled and enjoyed while they made remarks like, "There's a pastry shop we could be visiting instead of doing this slow boat to China, " and "I could tolerate this voyage with a bottle of wine--do you think we can ask anyone along the canal to get us one? They'll have time to come back and find us," and "Do you think they're taking us out to sea by hour three?", even I was weary of the nice tour guide by the end of hour two.

I mean, see one lock in any country, you've about seen them all.

I used the Paris Canal trip and called them a couple of days ahead to make a reservation. However, in May, the boat was not full. Since you've been to Paris so many times I think it's a great and different way to spend 1/2 a day. Personally, I enjoyed the locks and all of it - you certainly don't do this at home.

you are probably on your way already.
i took the canauxrama. made reservation but it was not necesary. but phone them because on the Monday i went there was only the 2.30 cruise.
have fun shula