An Enjoyable Paris Stroll

Are you planning a trip to “The City of Light”? Perhaps you have dreamed of strolls along famous Paris streets or through quaint Paris neighborhoods. In this remarkable city, each turn brings a new café, historical site or a fascinating store to explore. And what about those ornate bridges over the River Seine? Many of these bridges offer stellar views.

Fortunately, there seems to be an abundant supply of Paris walks for you to enjoy, from historical to food related, you can’t go wrong if you get off the metro and onto your own two feet. A quick internet search will help you find specific routes that interest you.

Saint Martin Canal, (Viatar)

When I visited Paris in 1980, I especially enjoyed a solo stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin. Here is an excerpt from my second memoir, French Illusions, From Tours to Paris, where I describe this stroll.  

Canal Saint Martin (Paris Tourist Office)

“London plane and horse chestnut trees awash with spring buds swayed in the breeze as I passed tourists toting cameras and young lovers entwined on benches. Ornate iron bridges spanning the gray-green waters came into view, and I stopped, fascinated by the interplay of a series of locks allowing boats to navigate through the narrow canal.

Curious about the melodious sounds coming from a group up ahead, I veered off course and peeked around a couple of bystanders. The enthusiastic musicians—a jaunty male accordionist and a tall, gangly female violinist—almost danced as they played one polka song after another while the crowd kept time. When they paused to rest, I deposited a few coins in their instrument case.

Continuing along the canal, I admired a woman sitting in front of an easel painting. She paused, smiled at me and then refocused on her palette, her paintbrush dipping into blues and greens before returning to her landscape. Mesmerized, I watched as a nearby tree came to life on the canvas.

“Bien fait,” I said, my voice filled with awe.

The artist’s chubby round cheeks turned pink as she shifted in her seat. “Merci, Mademoiselle. You are very kind.”

After this, I ventured over and took one last look at the canal before returning to the apartment. According to Michel, Napoleon ordered the canal’s construction in the early 1800s to ease barge congestion on the Seine and bring fresh water into Paris. During the 1960s, when boat traffic declined, officials considered filling it in and making it into a highway, but reason prevailed. I was so thankful they left it alone. It was such a wonderful place to lose yourself.”

If you would like to read more about my early experiences in France in 1979 and 1980, you can purchase my eBook or paperback at Amazon by clicking on this link, French Illusions, My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley  The audiobook version is also available at Audible.co.