This
is a short walk of only about an hour through a little visited part
of Paris, just on the north-eastern edge of the city centre.
The walk is simplicity itself following the St Martin Canal through
a variety of landscapes to La Villette, home of the Cite des Sciences,
a sprawling modernistic science and industry museum with lots to see
and do.
We start the walk at Republique Metro station. a major junction of
4 lines, (5,8,9 and 11). Consult the excellent local maps that are
posted at all metro stations. |
St Martin Canal |
Our road is the Rue de Faubourg du Temple, which runs north-east from
Republique, a major road junction. Walk on the left hand side of the
road. After crossing two roads you see the canal on your left, there
is a small park here. Walk over to the right hand bank of the canal.
There is a lock here, the first of many you will walk past.
The canal was opened in 1825. Going south it feeds into the River
Seine, covered for much of the way. Our route is north.
We go on autopilot, just follow the path on the right hand side of
the canal.
In a couple of places you will need to make small diversions, but
its all very obvious really. The environment changes from shops and
bars, through residential and finally industrial landscape.
There is still a high volume of river traffic, much of it pleasure
cruisers. You will probably encounter queues of boats waiting to pass
through some of the locks and swing bridges. During the summer there
is a stopping boat you can board. Its surprising how many major Paris
arteries still come to a grinding halt as a swing bridge across the
canal is opened for a pleasure cruiser. |
Its
about a 45 minute walk along the canal if you don't make to many stops.
The Parc de La Villette comes at a point where a major branch of the
canal goes off to the left. There is a futuristic footbridge across
to the other side of the canal and into the grounds of the park. The
park is very large (about 140 acres), its original use was as a cattle
market.
There are signposts everywhere and end less things to see. The major
item is the science museum itself in a modern block, but there are
lots of diversions on the way. |
Parc
de La Villette |
You
can get a guidebook in English from the main reception area. The displays
within the science museum do seem to change a lot and nearly all displays
are highly interactive. Sometimes the interactive elements get in
the way of the message and there is perhaps to many kids treating
the exhibits as a Star Wars game.
In the basement is quite a good aquarium and cafe.
Its the kind of place you'll either love or hate. Once you've finished,
follow the signs to the Metro station at the northern edge of the
park. |
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