7.6.12

A marina



This is not Saint Tropez, but there are some days, when you almost have the feeling.

We are in the Port de l’Arsenal (Bassin de l’Arsenal), which got its name from an arsenal which was located here between the 16th and 19th centuries. The port was constructed during the 19th century where previously was just a ditch to draw water to the moats of the Bastille fortress. The Bastille was of course destroyed July 14th 1789 – and the following days. Some of the stones of the Bastille and its defensive structures can be found in the present walls of the basin.

Initially a commercial port, connected to the Seine via a lock, it was converted into a leisure port, a marina, in the 1980’s. It’s also the entrance to (or the exit from) the Canal Saint Martin, via a tunnel… I already posted about the Canal Saint Martin (here), about the Bassin de la Villette (here) … and of course about the Bastille (here and here), so I will stop the “history” part here. :-)



You find a mixture of yachts, transformed barges…



… and also a park-like environment, with roses…



… lawns…


… and some space for refreshments. 


18 comments:

Starman said...

This was a nice trip down memory lane for me. Thanks

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Peter. I love that neighborhood and have often walked along the Seine river, feeling envious of the people who live on some of these boats... Imagine that: "I live in downtown Paris, near la Bastille, but you will have to go down a few steps to find my house..." I did take the fun canal cruise on a hot summer day a few years ago and loved it. Going through the locks (some manually operated,) was a hit with my son and other children on board. A very peaceful ride in downtown Paris... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

martinealison said...

Un endroit parfait pour se promener... J'aime beaucoup, tout me semble serein.
Merci pour ce merveilleux reportage.
Gros bisous.

Mystica said...

Lovely photos. Like the last the best!

Ola said...

nice to have such a place in a middle of a city!


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Cergie said...

C'est un très joli coin, pas vraiment un raccourci mais on peut passer par là pour aller de la gare d'Austerlitz à la gare de Lyon. Je suis allée demander le nom de la passerelle à la capitainerie, tu aurais pu me le demander ou le noter :

http://cergipontin.blogspot.fr/2011/07/paris-port-de-larsenal-et-passerelle.html

C'est quoi cette picture en bas de post ?
:)))))))))))

delphinium said...

C'est vraiment le farniente dans la capitale française. Il y a des moments où les gens travaillent? ;-)

Synne said...

How lovely! The green grass, roses and boats give me a proper summer feeling!

James said...

I never make to this marina when I'm in Paris but next time I'll make more of an effort. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Studio at the Farm said...

Fabulous photos, Peter! And what a wonderful oasis in the middle of the city - love it.

Shionge said...

Just a beautiful day to be at the Marina :D

Anonymous said...

Su articulo y sus fotos son tan hermosos como su ciudad...

Muchas gracias,
Maria

trump said...

Very nice pictures, and greetings from the Amish community of Lebanon,pa. Richard

Catherine said...

I stayed right near here when I was in Paris...great shots of the Bassin...

Mo said...

What a lovely journey

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

I am totally taken with the arbor of roses and the adjacent park. What could be more enticing that boats and more boats with a nearby area of lawns, parks, and refreshments... particularly the refreshments!

Bises,
Genie

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour dear Peter,
These boats are beautiful but I'm really enchanted by the flowers images! :)
Wonderful article, well done my friend!
hugs
Léia

arabesque said...

haha! you had me there!
again, another view you don't see often.
but that particular colorful boat in one of your fotos is eye catching.
and in this season, the sight of flowers are just refreshing to look at.