Is it worth a visit to the canal area?<BR><BR>Also is their anything worthwhile to see in the 11th,and 12th district as I am planning a <BR>Paris trip and have been there many times but not in these areas? Also how is Chinatown<BR>in the 13th district? Thanks in advance. El

My wife always complains that I want to see the locks of the canal as it goes underground near the Place de la R&eacute;publique. There is a little park at the locks which is very nice on a hot day. From the Place de la R&eacute;publique go toward rue de la Fontaine au Roi, and you can't miss the canal. It is 5 to 10 minutes from the Place.

I really enjoyed taking a walk along the canal on a sunny afternoon. I would recommend it as one of those &quot;off the beaten path&quot; things to do if you've already hit most of the more touristy things in Paris.

St. Martin Canal is fun. Starts near the Bastille and is a great walk there. Ends up in the Parc de la Villette, a very interesting area. At some place along the way it even goes underground and you can take boats to traverse the entire canal including the underground part. <BR><BR>12th is a great place. Has the Gare de Lyon with the wonderful Le Train Bleu restaurant and bar (go for a drink and take in the fantastic Belle Epoque ambiance) and the Promenade de Plante urban park with the Viaduc des Arts shopping street below it--on the Avenue Daumesnil. <BR><BR>The Place de Italie is interesting but we were disappointed in Paris' Chinatown in the 13th.

There is a lovely street market in the area of the canal and the Bastille. We were there on a Sunday I am not sure if it is there on weekdays.