The Canal Saint-Martin area has been dubbed the “New Left Bank of Paris”. Once a working-class neighborhood of warehouses and factories, it is now the coolest quartier in Paris, hip and branchée (literally ‘plugged in’), drawing young people for its charm and relative affordability. Youthful entrepeneurs are creating new cafés, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Yet the primary attraction is the canal itself, lined with large shade trees, picnickers, dog walkers, chatting friends and musicians practicing their instruments. Look up at the quaint arched bridges over the canal to spy on lovers in embrace. The area around Square des Récollets (on Quai de Valmy) has been pedestrianized since 2020 during the pandemic, creating a tranquil atmosphere amidst lively street life. This quartier is diverse and full of families with children enjoying the amenities of Jardin Villemin, a large park at the bend of the canal. While Paris is a global, metropolitan city, it is often said that “Paris is a Village”, because of its neighborhood villages where daily life takes place. Paris has twenty arrondissements (zones) and each is formally divided into four administrative quarters or ‘quartiers‘. In addition to the official quartiers, there are unofficial ones. For instance, the Marais is a popular neighborhood, but it’s an unofficial quartier, as is the Latin Quarter, the Bastille, the Village Saint-Paul, Butte aux Cailles and more. They each have their own lure, vibe and distinct charm. Residents don’t trek across Paris to the top tourist choices for their baguettes,croissants or vegetables. They shop at their favorite boulangerie, patisserie and marché in their quartier. Canal Saint-Martin offers fascinating history, a delightful lifestyle, beauty, a creative pulse and top-notch eating and shopping. It’s a perfect place to sample how Parisians really live.