France » Canal de l'Ourcq | Canal in Paris

The small canal of the Parisians


Canal de l'Ourcq | Canal in Paris: Characteristics & Overview

Rating of waterway

Degree of difficulty:
Some experience is an advantage

Requirements:
No license asked for hired boats

Character of waterway:
back to nature, with urban surroundings

Profile of waterway:
Used by tourists only

Facilities groundside:
Sufficiant



Canal de l'Ourcq | Canal in Paris: Tips & Detailed information

Wharfs, Marinas, Harbors, Facilities, Houseboat hirers, Restaurants and Shops.

Facts to this waterway:

108 km
58.80 x 3.20 m
10
0.80 m
2.60 m


Canaux de Paris | Canal St. Martin | Canal St. Denis | Seine à Paris | French Canals, LaRiver Seine Amont, River Seine upstream, Marcilly to Paris | waterways in France , River Seine - from Paris to the Sea | France


Canal de l’Ourcq, a supply of drinking water? Or, much rather a canalized brook?
(It was built by Napoleon, first of in order to supply Paris with enough drinking water)
The brook has its spring just south of the woods of Retz in an agricultural area. After a few km already it becomes a canal and goes over Meaux to Paris, to the Basin de la Villette, it meets there its brothers, Canal St. Denis and Canal St. Martin.  
Because of its lock dimensions however, it’s only navigable for boats being less than 3.20 m wide. 


Information for a boat holiday:
Advantage: Starts in Paris
Disadvantage: Starts in Paris
Length: 108 km; locks: 10; boat hirers: one year yes, the other no!

Tourism
The area upstream is rather rural despite the closeness to the city, but Parisians do know this as well, it’s not always calm.  




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