Canal Saint-Martin Redevelopment Reshapes Daily Life in Three Arrondissements Through 2026

The Canal Saint-Martin redevelopment project, scheduled to finish by early 2026 ahead of the canal’s bicentennial, will remove most motorised vehicles while expanding space for pedestrians and cyclists in the 10th, 11th and 19th arrondissements.

Daily Movement for Residents

Local residents will face new limits on car access, with only delivery, emergency and service vehicles permitted. The plan adds 3.4 km of cycling infrastructure, including two vélo-rues, and 147 new bike parking spots. Pedestrian areas grow by 10,400 m² through 18 new crossings, two pedestrian bridges and eight stepping sidewalks. These changes target safer, slower travel along the canal for people who live nearby rather than through-traffic.

Community Spaces and Greenery

Fifty new benches will give residents places to sit along the waterway. Landscaping adds 52 trees and 10 biodiversity refuges to support local wildlife. The work increases overall vegetation, creating more shaded and varied spots for daily use in a neighbourhood where the canal already serves as a central outdoor area.

Project Timeline and Local Effects

Mobility phase one ran from February to June 2024. Mobility phase two continues from October 2024 until February 2026 after the Paris Olympics, while landscaping runs from October 2024 to December 2025. The overall effort carries a 15 million euro cost. Residents in the 10th, 11th and 19th arrondissements will see progressive restrictions on vehicles and gradual opening of new paths and plantings as each stage completes.

Once finished, the updated layout will remain in place for everyday use, with the focus on walking, cycling and seating rather than vehicle passage. People living near the canal can check the Sortiraparis and Actu.fr updates for any short-term access changes during the remaining phases.