Description: Begin your tour at the Pont d’Amelie and walk the promenade of Quai de Valmy for a series of Venetian bridges arching over the waterway. Watch out also for the passage of cruise boats at the Square des Recollets at the curb of this quay where you’ll find a lock of waterway where the passing boat is held temporarily. To traverse either side of the canal, the water level must be lowered by opening the gates on both ends of the lock one after the other. It is quite a spectacle to watch. Along this quay are trendy bars and cafés as well as mini-parks where locals spend the late afternoons and happy hours.

Description: La Rotonde Ledoux greets you at the entrance of the Bassin de la Vilette. The city tested the waters in this canal and found it to be safe for swimming, so they enclosed a portion to build an outdoor swimming pool. In summer, paddle boarding and leisure kayaking is also a thing making this Bassin quite a colorful family-friendly sight.

Description: For a quirky brunch experience, this trendy café is worth a detour. They preserved the homey feel of the house that once stood there and redesigned tables on bath tubs, bedrooms, and living rooms. It is definitely an exceptional experience. The façade exudes a dynamic feel with its graffiti coating being constantly updated. Their recycling theme is indeed catching up attracting young generations for that extra unique Instagram moment.

Description: This huge complex is a city in itself. Hosting the biggest science museum in Europe, three concert venues, and the Paris Conservatory of Music, no one can deny its immensity. Around the canal traversing the park are open spaces featuring deconstructive architectural design elements giving the area a post-modern feel. There’s just plenty of outdoor and indoor activities you can possibly do in this park, for all ages and creative interests. It’s a microcosm of its own, different from the romantic pleasantries of downtown Paris.