A bohemian getaway to the Canal Saint Martin

Just ten minutes from the hotel you can enjoy an iconic Parisian stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, a picturesque waterway that attracts a bohemian crowd drawn to its ethical chic ambiance. Pretty and colourful shops and charming places to eat await you! Many Parisians make their way to the tree-shaded quays to picnic and enjoy the air of conviviality. The Hotel Marais Bastille tells you more...

A shopping trip taken at a sedate pace

The Canal Saint-Martin is a place where you can enjoy getting away from the crowds that flock to many other Parisian neighbourhoods. The canal area is particularly popular with fashion designers and art galleries where young talent is exhibited. Stroll past the attractively colourful shops that are so perfectly in keeping with the bohemian ambiance of this village-like district. On the Quai de Valmy, you can find the Antoine et Lili boutique, a concept store bazaar that offers a unique and essential place to shop in Paris. Fashion stores including Des Petits Hauts, Agnès B, and Colélac will certainly tempt you into renewing your wardrobe, while the low prices found on the Rue Bichat and Rue de la Grange Aux Belles attract a young and trendy clientele. Also, stop at Babel, a small concept-store on the Quai de Valmy that has a host of fascinatingly funky items for you to buy. Or check out the Artazart bookstore, created by former associates of Bensimon, and browse the in-depth stock of design, graphics and photography books.

Relaxation and a gourmet break

In the adjacent streets you’ll find plenty of delightful bars and restaurants for a drink, lunch or dinner. The Hotel Marais Bastille recommends the Prune café at the corner of the Rue Beaurepaire, facing the canal. It’s an excellent place to have lunch or spend an evening with friends. To experience the bistro atmosphere of yesteryear, try the Cantine de Quentin, at 52 Rue Bichat. Café A, located in the former Récollet convent, or the Comptoir Général and its colonial-era atmosphere, are good places to enjoy gourmet moments while relaxing in cheerful and friendly surroundings. For live performances of pop, rock or hip-hop, head for the Alhambra on the Rue Yves Toudic, a new concert hall set in a magnificent art deco building.

The perfect picnic spot on sunny days

The warmer weather is approaching and with it the desire to spend the sunny days eating in the open air, away from the bustle of the capital’s centre. What could be better than a relaxing picnic on the banks of the canal amidst tranquil surroundings that are unique in Paris? The peace is disturbed only by the occasional boat gliding by and the unhurried activity around the locks as canal traffic heads for the Bassin de la Villette or in the direction of the Bassin de l’Arsenal.