Paris: the canal Saint-Martin (IV)

Hello archi lovers!

I have been writing in recent times about Paris, from different perspectives, more touristic and more everyday life. And there is so much to discover in this beautiful European city, so elegant and glamorous... even corners or spaces that contrast with this dreamlike but also interesting vision.

For that reason I share today with you a different architectural place, it almost stands out more as an engineering element within an urban space. It is the Canal Saint-Martin, possibly one of my favorite areas of the French capital, beyond the well-known and visited places.

I like it mainly for the atmosphere, for going a little out of the expected, from what was photographed and for having some structures that break not only with the general panorama and the other distinguished facades but also break with the rhythm of the city and with the routine of those who live in it.

A canal that joins its waters to the Seine River itself and maintains its passage through a noble area of ​​Paris, without feeling overwhelmed by being there, in the middle of Paris. It looks like a small river that, during the coldest months, is only decorated by a line of trees on each side, trees that now do not look splendid but in any case give a more bucolic image to this curious unexpected area.

What attracts the most attention and now we are going to build it is the drawbridge, over it we can go from one side to the other, the inhabitants and tourists walk through any of its side streets without problems, enjoy very chic places or something boho, where to have a drink in a relaxing and romantic movie atmosphere.

But at certain moments that serenity that unites the natural with the industrial is broken, by ships of different types which continue to circulate. We stop from our frantic pace to observe the "traffic" operation that is repeated during the day, it is known yes, but that always fascinates us. Here now passes a ship called "Normandie", a typical French area, and a typical picture to photograph.

The gates open and close regulating maritime traffic in an urban area where there are always people and movement. But here that rhythm is set by the channel itself, and everything fits without problems or fuss. Everything continues calmly, we just have to stop, slow down a bit while we watch others go by, and thus people enjoy that entertaining moment that you would not expect to find in one of the largest cities in Europe. People from the bridge look down, some say hello, others smile and the most curious watch, absorbed, the operation of all those gears that seem to belong more to an industrial port area and not to such a relaxed and pleasant Parisian neighborhood.

Architecture and in this case, engineering, fulfill a function beyond simple mechanical functionality, and that is to integrate all this movement in an urban and even natural space, where all: the bridge, the fences, the gates, the boats, motors, also nearby vehicles, lavish buildings and the red awnings of the cute restaurants, and with the trees, gardens and people converge organically and harmoniously, really unforgettable.

An unique and dynamic set that gives a different rhythm and vision to a city space, where everything always seems to go at great speed, with the same routines and here instead they stop, change and combine in different ways. Walking, driving, sailing or just looking around, having a café au lait next in a charming bar, watching it rain and through the window, there, at the Saint-Martin canal.

Thanks for reading! Have a harmonic and dynamic day.

The text is totally mine, by ©Duvinca and all the photos are mine too!

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