Swimming in Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin: what you need to know before you go

Swimming in the Saint-Martin Canal is permitted in Paris within a designated zone of the Récollets basin. Hours, access, free entry, safety rules: here are the practical details you need to know before you head there.

Swimming in the Saint-Martin Canal, right in the heart of Paris, has become one of the capital’s most unusual summer experiences. At the Récollets basin, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, a free, supervised swimming area lets you cool off in the canal, as long as you respect opening hours, safety guidelines and the designated zones.

Where can you swim in the Saint-Martin Canal in Paris?

This urban swimming spot isn’t like a regular pool: access is allowed only during specific time slots, in a monitored area, and subject to favorable water quality. The site is laid out at the passerelle Michèle-Morgan, opposite the espace Jemmapes and the jardin Villemin, with guided access to the water and facilities designed to welcome swimmers.

What are the swimming hours on the Canal Saint-Martin?

Note: an exceptional early opening is announced for this Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. due to the heatwave. For details of this announcement and the day's opening conditions, consult our article dedicated to the early opening of swimming at Canal Saint-Martin.

Beyond this extraordinary opening, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin falls under the city’s summer lineup, Paris Plages. The regular season runs from July 5 to September 6, 2026 inclusive, with hours set for each Sunday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, subject to last-minute cancellations.

On site, the swimming takes place in a marked and supervised zone of the Saint-Martin Canal. Access is free, but may be adjusted depending on crowding, the weather, the water quality or the safety guidelines.

Rules to know before you go swimming

The site does not offer lockers or baggage storage. Changing rooms and showers are available at the Jemmapes Sports Center. Visitors are therefore advised to come light, with only the essentials, and to avoid bringing valuables.

Bathing at the Saint-Martin Canal isn’t conceived as a sports pool or as a site for open-water training. It is above all a urban swimming space, free and supervised, intended to cool off during the summer in a safe setting. Children under 10 or shorter than 1.20 m must be accompanied by an adult.

Swimwear is mandatory, and swim shorts are allowed. As every year, it is strictly forbidden to bathe outside the supervised zones or outside opening hours. It is also prohibited to dive from the bridges and footbridges that span the canal, even during heatwaves.

Looking to extend your cool-down break? More free pools, swimming venues and bathing areas are available in Paris and the Île-de-France region this summer:

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As soon as the heat returns, we look for a pool (ideally with a beach area or sun loungers) or a waterside spot to swim! To feel like you’re on vacation without spending a dime, check out the best spots to bring your family and friends to Paris and Île-de-France, free of charge. [Read more]