If you’re looking to stay in a hip local area in Paris, then you’ll love the Canal Saint-Martin. A favorite place of Parisians (myself included), the pretty canal flows through the 10th arrondissement in the center-east of the city and is one of the coolest areas in today’s Paris. Very few tourists make their way here, so it’s the perfect district for experiencing Paris as a local. If that sounds like your vibe, then hopefully you’ll find your perfect base in the district on my list of the best hotels around Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Pros and cons of staying around the Canal Saint-Martin
Before I launch into why you might want (or not) to stay near the Canal Saint-Martin, let me tell you a little bit more about the area. Originally built by Napoleon I in the early 1800s, the Canal Saint-Martin starts near Place de la République and goes up to the Place Stalingrad, where it changes names and becomes the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal de l’Ourcq.
The northern part of it is a short walk to Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, which can make it convenient if you’re traveling in and out of either of those train stations (like taking the Eurostar to London). There are also pretty good metro links nearby, so you can get pretty much anywhere in the city in 20 to 30 minutes by public transportation.
Over the last few decades, the Canal Saint-Martin has become one of the coolest districts in Paris and one that’s super appealing to stay in for living life as a Parisian.
Here are some pros and cons of staying around the Canal Saint-Martin that you might want to consider before choosing to stay in the district.
Pros of booking a hotel near Canal Saint-Martin
- It’s a great local area with few tourists
- Hotels in the district are more affordable than many other areas
- The neighborhood has tons of great boutiques, modern coffee shops, inventive restaurants and fun bars
Cons of booking a hotel near Canal Saint-Martin
- It’s a bit further away from some top attractions like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower (but easily reachable by metro)
- It can get a bit noisy on weekends, especially in summer (but some of the hotels below are on quieter side streets)
- The architecture is less “beautiful” than places like Saint-Germain, the Marais, and Montmartre (but the canal itself is really pretty!)
Image Courtesy of Bloom House via Booking.com
Bloom House, 10th arrondissement
I really like this bright and welcoming boutique hotel that’s tucked away on a small side street between the Gare de l’Est and the Canal Saint-Martin. Walking inside, you’re hit with a blast of warmth thanks to light yellow and beige-toned walls and furniture, funky neon lighting, and plenty of plants. This sunny spirit and color palette are carried over into the rooms, some of which have amazing balconies with views of Montmartre.
Bloom House is one of the few hotels in the area with a pool and spa, so these are definitely a plus. I also love its FANTASTIC bar/restaurant found within an indoor garden where you can get some tasty cocktails and food made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
Image Courtesy of Le Citizen Hotel via Booking.com
Le Citizen Hotel, 10th arrondissement
If you want to be at the heart of all the action of the Canal Saint-Martin, stay at Le Citizen. The ONLY hotel located right on the canal, it only has 12 rooms, all of which have a view of the canal. Rooms have a minimalistic look with some artsy touches, and their sizes range from “le cosy” (= pretty small) to the spacious two-bedroom family suite.
FYI– if you book in advance, you can actually get some great deals, so it can be among the most affordable hotels around the Canal Saint-Martin. Stepping out the door, you’re right in the buzzing ambiance of the canal’s bars, restaurants, and Parisians strolling and picnicking along the water. (WA)
Image Courtesy of Le Robinet d’Or via Booking.com
Le Robinet d’Or, 10th arrondissement
Called “The Golden Tap” in French, this quirky boutique hotel is within a former tap factory. It’s located on the northern part of the canal, so it’s super close to Gare de l’Est and Gare de Nord, making it a good option if you’re traveling through either of those and or to easily hop on the métro. The common areas have more of an industrial feel connected to the building’s past (yep, there are lots of exposed taps and pipes), but the rooms are cozier with sections of floral wallpaper and some vintage furniture.
If it’s in your budget, I recommend booking the junior suite, which has cool wood paneling on the wall and a comfy sitting area. (WA)
Image Courtesy of OKKO – Gare de l’Est via Expedia
OKKO – Gare de l’Est, 10th arrondissement
This is my top pick for budget travelers on this list of the best hotels around Paris’s Canal Saint Martin. It’s part of a small group of hotels that have a fantastic eco-friendly approach and a fun, young atmosphere. Its location right along a platform of Gare de l’Est train station is pretty unique, and it makes it incredibly convenient for zipping around the city by métro. Rooms are small, but this doesn’t really matter because you’ll be spending most of your time in its wonderful lounge, its rooftop garden, or on the Canal’s café terraces that are only a few blocks away.
Image Courtesy of Le General Hotel via Booking.com
Le General Hotel, 11th arrondissement
Found super close to Place de la République, this 4-star hotel is a perfect fit for anyone hesitating between staying in the Marais, the 11th, or along the Canal. A short walk to all of these areas, you’ll be able to get around more easily on foot from this hotel than some of the others, plus République has some of the best métro links in the city. Rooms are mainly in white with large artsy photos on the walls. It’s got single rooms, which could be a good match for solo travelers on a budget.
At Le General, there’s also a gym for keeping up with your workout routine and a sauna for soothing those muscles after a long day of sightseeing. (WA)
Image Courtesy of Hotel les Deux Girafes via Booking.com
Hotel les Deux Girafes, 11th arrondissement
Also located in the 11th and near Place de la République, this is definitely one of the best hotels around the Canal Saint-Martin. Despite being in a pretty central and buzzing area, the hotel is on a quiet road, which makes it a nice, peaceful haven. Its industrial chic decor combines thin metal lighting and seating with relaxing slate blue walls and large murals of trees or abstract designs. They’ve got a few triple rooms which could work well for families or a trio of friends.
Image Courtesy of La Planque via Booking.com
La Planque, 10th arrondissement
This good-value boutique hotel is situated on a side street east of the Canal. Our founder Jess has actually stayed here before, and she says that while the rooms are a tad on the small end (typical in Paris), the hotel is great for a short stay and is stylish and cosy. The rooms are decorated in lovely velour chairs and headboards, art prints, and quirky decor items like vintage phones. There’s also a chic little common area lined with books where you can have afternoon tea and snacks.
Image Courtesy of Le Milie Rose via Booking.com
Le Milie Rose, 10th arrondissement
Like its name suggests, this boutique hotel has a LOT of pink (rose in French). Okay, not everything is pink, but you’ll find pale pink tones in the furniture, textiles, and soothing mountainscape designs behind the beds. I totally get that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it could be a really good fit for a girls’ weekend or romantic trip. The charming hotel is found a few small blocks away from the Canal, in the even more local Faubourg St-Denis area, which has some excellent restaurants and lively bars. (WA)
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