Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise: Explore Paris Differently!

Already done the Seine cruise and looking for a fresh adventure? Or just not in the mood for big tourist boats? Then a Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise is the perfect alternative. It’s especially great if you’re into quirky stories, unusual anecdotes, and discovering hidden corners of Paris you never knew existed.

I took this cruise with my family, and it was a hit—fascinating for the kids thanks to the many locks, and relaxing for us adults.

Plus, there was tons of insider information that was entirely new, even to me, a Paris blogger and long-term Paris resident.

And in this article, I tell you everything you need to know to decide whether the Conduto St. Martin Cruise is the right fit for you and your family.

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This image shows a tranquil scene along a canal in Paris, with clear blue water reflecting the bright sky. The canal is lined with trees and classic Parisian buildings on the left, while a green iron pedestrian bridge arches over the water in the distance. The perspective is from a boat, as part of the vessel is visible on the right side of the image. The calm setting, combined with the vibrant greenery and architecture, creates a peaceful atmosphere. The words "Salut from Paris" with a heart icon appear in the bottom left, adding a postcard-like touch to the scene. — View from the boat on Conduto St.Martin

The Conduto Saint-Martin

Quick access: Book your Conduto Saint-Martin Tour right here (that’s where I booked)

Everyone knows that there is the Seine in Paris, but most visitors don’t know much about the Conduto Saint Martin.

The 4.5 km long channel dates back to the 19th century and was an essential connection between the River Seine and northern canals. Not only to transport freights, but also to provide the ever-growing capital with fresh water.

The most interesting part of the Conduto Saint-Martin are the 9 locks and two swinging bridges. They are necessary as there’s a whooping 25m elevation change between the Seine and the Bassin la Villtte.

Since the 60s, the waterway has shifted away from commercial transportation, now dominated by tourist boats and private vessels. However, the Conduto Saint-Martin is more than just a scenic cruise route.

It’s also a popular hangout for Parisians, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and lively spots along its shores, making it a perfect sítio alternative to the crowded Seine.

This image captures a view from a boat as it approaches a lock on a Parisian canal. The scene is framed by the shadow of an arch overhead, with the bright sunlight illuminating the trees and the lock's green gates ahead. The leafy trees on both sides of the canal create a serene, natural atmosphere, while the lock mechanism adds an element of industrial charm. In the distance, a pedestrian bridge can be seen, with people standing and admiring the view. — One of the locks you sail through

Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise A-Z

Quick access: Book your Conduto Saint-Martin Tour right here (that’s where I booked)

To help you decide if the Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise is a good fit for your family, I’ll share our personal experience—what we loved, what we didn’t, and whether we’d recommend it.

What to Expect on Board

The boats are typical tourist vessels but much smaller than the bateaux mouches that cruise the Seine. With only 2-3 cruises a day, it’s essential to book your ticket in advance—it’s not first-come, first-served, but once you have your ticket, you’re guaranteed a spot.

When we arrived at the boarding location, we were able to walk right on. There was no queue, and the whole experience felt much more personal than the mass handling you often find on Seine cruises.

Further readings for families:

The boats themselves are simple. There’s an open seating area on the top deck and an indoor section below with chairs. There’s also a small shop offering drinks and snacks—nothing fancy, but charming in its low-key vibe.

This image shows the interior of a sightseeing boat, with rows of chairs arranged along both sides, allowing passengers to enjoy views of the river through large windows. People are seated, looking out at the water as the boat passes under a bridge, visible through the windows. The natural light from the windows creates a bright and airy atmosphere inside. — Inside the boat

This image shows a joyful family selfie with three people smiling brightly at the camera. The adult on the right is wearing sunglasses, while the person in the center has a wide grin, and the child on the left is peeking in with a hood over their head. The background shows a clear blue sky and some trees, suggesting they are outdoors enjoying a sunny day. T — We had a good time 🙂

One thing I loved was the freedom to move around. I spent time at the front of the boat watching the locks in action, relaxed on deck for a while, and then headed inside. Even though we sailed during the high season and the boat was full, there was plenty of space to move about and change spots whenever I felt like it.

The live commentary in English was engaging, full of fascinating stories and unexpected facts. Even as someone familiar with Paris, I learned new things—whether it was about the area’s industrial past or the quirky legends surrounding the conduto.

As for my kids, they were completely captivated. They spent most of the time at the front of the boat, mesmerized by the locks and how the mechanisms worked.

Step-by-Step Cruise Itinerary

Quick access: Book your Conduto Saint-Martin Tour right here (that’s where I booked)

Whether you start in the north at La Villette or in the center at the Musée d’Orsay, the Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise itinerary remains the same—the only difference is the direction.

Since my family and I began at Musée d’Orsay, I’ll walk you through that itinerary. If you start at La Villette, just imagine it in reverse.

This image shows a group of people seated on an open-air boat cruising along the Seine River in Paris. The boat is passing by the grand facade of the Musée d'Orsay, a historic building with large, arched windows and a prominent clock. The sky is a vibrant blue, and the crowd on the boat is enjoying the sunny weather while admiring the iconic Parisian architecture. — The upper deck and the Musée d’Orsay

The first part of the cruise shares a familiar route with the usual Seine cruises. You’ll sail along the Seine, passing the Louvre, Pont Neuf, Île de la Cité, and Île Saint-Louis, with views of Notre-Dame. While most bateaux mouches turn around here, the Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise keeps going.

At Bastille, you’ll reach the first entrance to the conduto and encounter your first lock. From there, the boat glides through the Bassin de l’Arsenal, Paris’ main pleasure port filled with beautiful boats.

Then comes one of the most thrilling parts of the tour: the 2-kilometer underground vault beneath Place de la Bastille. If it looks familiar, you might recognize it from Lupin or the recent Netflix series Under Paris. Either way, it’s an absolutely fascinating passage.

This image shows the inside of a brick-lined tunnel with a waterway running through it, likely part of a canal system in Paris. A beam of sunlight enters through an opening in the ceiling, casting a dramatic light onto the water below. The tunnel extends into the distance, with small lights illuminating the path along the walls. The combination of natural light and the brickwork creates a mysterious and atmospheric scene. — 2km long vault beneath the Bastille

Once the conduto emerges again, you’ll be greeted by tree-lined streets, quirky cafes, and the everyday charm of Parisian life along the water. As you continue, you’ll pass through seven to nine locks (depending on the day), each one providing a fun, interactive moment on the water for the kids.

For me, the novelty of the locks wore off after a while—after all, a lock is a lock, and there are quite a few. So, I was glad I brought a book along. But even without a book, you won’t get bored. The boats are an excellent “people watching” occasion, as the live along the conduto is very lively and busy.

Tip: You might want to bring a small towel or at least tissues. Water splashes occasionally, and if your kids are close to the locks, they might catch a few drops.

Picking your Cruise: Where to board?

Quick access: Book your Conduto Saint-Martin Tour right here (that’s where I booked)

When thinking of adding a tour on the Conduto Saint Martin to your itinerary, it is important to now that there are only two cruises on most days and they are not leaving at the same location:

A morning cruise leaves La Villette in the North to Musée d’Orsay in the South
the afternoon cruise leaves at Musée d’Osay and sails back up North to La Villette

The tour isn’t a loop, so you’ll finish in a different spot from where you boarded the boat. Keep that in mind when planning your day.

This image captures a view of a canal in Paris, with a black iron pedestrian bridge crossing over the water. The sky is a vivid blue, and the buildings on either side of the canal are modern, contrasting with the industrial design of the bridge. People can be seen walking along the canal’s edge, and a few boats are visible in the distance. The image reflects a sunny, tranquil day in the city, highlighting the mix of modern and traditional elements along the waterway. — The city changes the more you’re heading north. The bridge is part of the Petite Ceinture

The tour company also occasionally adds extra timeslots, meaning you might find an additional afternoon cruise on a route that’s typically only available in the morning. It’s always worth checking the schedule for updates.

My family and I opted for the morning cruise from the Musée d’Orsay to La Villette. It was convenient since the starting point was close to home, and we don’t often visit La Villette. SO it was a nice opportunity to explore a different part of Paris.

It was lunchtime on arrival, and when we saw that the Paname Brewing Company had a smoker outside, we couldn’t resist. It’s not a permanent thing, but their other dishes are good as well. And they have tons of beers on tap, in case you want to try some sítio beers.

This image shows a plate of food featuring a pulled pork sandwich topped with barbecue sauce and served on a dark, almost black bun. It was taken at the Paname Brewing House. The sandwich is accompanied by golden French fries, with small cups of ketchup and mayonnaise on the side. A few pickle slices are placed on top of the sandwich, and coleslaw can be seen underneath the pork. — Sailing definitely works up an appetite

Book Your Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise

Quick access: Book your Conduto Saint-Martin Tour right here (that’s where I booked)

The cruises run daily and take about 2.5 hours. They are quite popular, especially during peak season. During off season, they are only scheduled on the weekends and these slots fill up equally quickly.

I booked our tickets through Get Your Guide, as I like their transparent cancellation policies: up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, clearly shown on the booking page. This gave me peace of mind since I definitely didn’t want to be stuck on a boat if it was raining or too cold.

The booking process was straight forward and I had the QR code tickets on my mobile phone.

You can also book directly through the tour company, but I couldn’t figure out their cancellation policy. I wasn’t willing to take the risk, especially after seeing something about needing a medical certificate to reschedule. It’s the same price in any case on GetYourGuide.

However, regardless of where you book, make sure to check the schedule for morning or afternoon departures based on your plans.

This image shows a boat filled with people preparing to embark on a canal tour in Paris. The boat, labeled "Le Canotier," is docked alongside a canal on a bright and sunny day with a clear blue sky. People are standing on the boat's deck, taking in the surroundings, while others are still boarding from the cobblestone path next to the water. Trees and a pedestrian bridge can be seen in the background, creating a lively and scenic atmosphere. — Leaving the boat the La Villette

Conlcusion

In summary, the Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise offers you a unique and relaxed way to explore a different side of Paris. It’s a great alternative to the Seine cruises, with plenty of interesting stories and sights along the way.

The locks provide some fun interaction, and the peaceful setting is perfect for families. If you finish your cruise at La Villette, it’s the perfect starting point to explore Parc de la Villette or visit the Cité des Sciences.

Just remember to book in advance and check the schedule to suit your plans!

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Conduto Saint-Martin Cruise: Explore Paris Differently!

The Conduto Saint-Martin