Check out Napoleon’s Paris Canals!

Well, Paris is a city that just keeps giving….and on our most recent trip for the Summer Olympic Opening ceremony, we discovered another thing we didn’t know!

My wife Alex and I wandered the streets above Place de Republique and came across a Paris Canal!

This is us at Canal Saint-Martin, where people lined the canal and enjoyed an early evening – many with six packs of French beer – such a chill environment:

This neighborhood is just minutes from the bustling center of Paris, but we hadn’t taken the time to explore it until now – and we are so glad we did!

There are a number of walkways across the canal – take a look:

I took a short video to give you an idea of how the canal cuts right through the center of this neighborhood – and is clearly loved by all who gather along it:

Thanks Napoleon!

Now, here’s the story of how they came to be – and who was behind them!

There are three canals that interconnect: Canal de l’Ourcq, which brings in water from the rivers Ourcq and Marne to feed the Canals Saint Martin and Saint Denis.

The construction of the Paris canal network was ordered by Napoleon I in 1802 as a way of providing fresh water to Paris, which was out-growing its sources.

Yep, instead of going to the water, Napoleon brought the water to the people of Paris, and it still flows today!

This canal really gives the city a different flavor here, and it was so peaceful and relaxed, just minutes from the bustle of the rest of Paris…

Oh and it’s not the only thing I learned this trip – did you ever wonder how Parisians gas up their cars? Since we spend our time in the classic tourist areas, I’ve never seen a gas station in the central part of the city…well, until now:

Yes, on a boulevard near the Eiffel Tower, I found this miniscule two put “gas station” on the side of the street! No business, just two pumps!

Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, we were there for the opening ceremony, and the tower put on a bit of a show!

The light show from the Eiffel Tower was incredible – and my wife was directly across the Seine, getting this up close video!

Wow!

By the way, don’t just stare at the Tower, go up It and have a meal!

Here’s a look at the incredible food and views you get from eating inside!

All of this Paris color started a year earlier, when I saw this in the sky over the Louvre Museum:

They continued to fly over us for the next hour…click here to find out why:

Of course, for me Paris is really all about the food – and I made sure it was for me as I wandered the Paris streets:

Here’s what I ate while my wife did all the work!

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