10 October 2025 Canal / Seine Cruise

Overview

The cruise begins at 14:30 near La Villette, at the intersection of Gal de l'Ourcq and Gal de la Villette, and it lasts between 2 -  2 1/2 hours. The journey takes us about 3 1/2 kilometers down the Canal Saint Martin to the entrance of the Canal Saint Martin tunnel, negotiating eight locks along the way. After gliding through the two-kilometer long tunnel, the boat enters the Bassin de l'Arsenal by Bastille, and then out into the Seine. Once in the Seine, we head west — passing Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité, and debark near the Musée d'Orsay.

Location and Time

Location

We will meet at the intersection of Gal de l'Ourcq and Gal de la Villette which is right on the canal. Please see the map on the right.

The most reliable way to get there is to take the #5 metro to Porte de Pantin.

Once out of the metro station, you should be able to see the large Grande Halle de la Villette towards the water. The walkway to the water — Gal de la Villette — runs to the left of it from your perspective. 

If you decide to try getting there using Google or Apple Maps, enter "Villette Makerz". That is the little market next to the boat embarkation point.

Time

Please be there by 14:00 (2:00 pm).

The boat leaves at 14:30, and we want to be at the head of the line to get the best seats. 

Seating on the Boat

While you are welcome to sit wherever you want on the boat, WICE recommends seating the entire group in the forward section of the lower level (behind the red box in the photo to the right). We can sit as a group and mingle, and you can walk out to the open forward deck if you so desire. And if you want to meander up topside, you can do that, too. 

Past experience has shown that sitting up top is not a good idea for a WICE group. First, topside seating is benches that face outward, meaning that talking to more than just your immediate neighbor is challenging. Second, you will be subject to the weather.

Furthermore, the toilets and the snack bar (wine and other beverages, light snacks) are also on the lower deck. 

So please get there early to join us at the front of the line so we can grab a block of seats. 

If you get lost or are going to be late, please notify the organizer, Rick Jones, at +33 07 65 73 67 57.