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The 2012 Ourcq canal festival until 26th August

In Paris, if you follow the Canal Saint Martin towards the Bassin de la Villette, it becomes the Canal de l’Ourcq, and if you follow the Canal de l’Ourcq through the Parc de La Villette and out into the suburbs, you’ll discover some amazing things this summer : concerts, traditional balls, arts, guided visits, canoes, beaches… Here’s all the details!

photo de Nicolas Mirguet utilisée sous licence cc

It’s the fifth year for this great festival, known as l’été du Canal, l’Ourcq en fêtes, and we thinks it’s  a great way to explore the countryside near Paris.

First of all, boat shuttles costing 1€ (Saturdays) or 2€ (Sundays) will take you from the Bassin de la Villette to the suburb of Bobigny, and from Bobigny even further to Pavillons-sous-Bois (each journey takes around 1 hour). There’s even a special boat on Sundays (journey time: 90 minutes) that will take you to the Chat qui pêche boat where you can have lunch and a dance afterwards! The times are below, and the map of the stops is here.

There are seven different themed cruises that leave from the Bassin de la Villette at 11h on Saturdays and Sundays. 11€ per person (two-way trip). More info here.

Walks – on the theme of street art, walks on scooters, a cinema-themed walk, one based on crime novels… More info here.

Free concerts in Bobigny, Pantin and Aulnay-sous-Bois, events at la Villette, the Glazart concert beach… More info here.

Le bals barges! Ever danced on a boat? Now’s your chance. More info here.

Four beaches with water-based activities startting early July. More info here.

Culture boats, with dance and music workshops. More info here.

Street art, including a graffiti project to cover an entire derelict building! More info here.And of course, nothing’s stopping you from just strolling up the canal and taking it all in at your own speed!

Official site (in French): www.tourisme93.com/ete-du-canal