I’ve been to Paris quite a few times, but it was only my last trip this past June that I ran into Canal St-Martin , near the Gare de l’Est station. I liked it because it was a
spot where you see locals and travelers enjoying a Friday night.
The Canal banks are crowded with people having picnics,wine or just sitting. Outdoor concerts were everywhere on the Friday night I was there. I saw mainly young people , but I never felt out of place as there were people of all ages.
I started out the evening hearing a concert from Kemawan, a Venezuelan band that I really enjoyed. Then I heard cover bands, marching bands and of course techno. I’d suggest one go early in the evening.
As the night turns into early morning, there are a lot of broken bottles and the main thing that was playing was techno. I then saw people crowd the streets to watch blocking traffic.
It’s interesting to see but then traffic gets snarled, and the mood changed as honking of cars get underway. I think it captures why Paris is special and shows that Parisians enjoy their picnics like few others.
The Canal St.-Martin area is also good for food. One of the best-regarded new bakeries, Des Idees et du Pain is on its edge, and there’s a great twice-a-week open-air market between the point where it goes underground and Bastille.
One thing that’s very interesting about the open air markets there is after the markets close. The Roma gather up all that’s left behind and divide it up amongst the community. Quite a sight, and I was really amazed at just how much is left