Bassin de la Villette
Bassin de la Villette
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: La Villette
This futuristic landscape has come to define the northeast of Paris. The Saint-Denis canal is framed with luscious lawns and metallic buildings over a wide-open space. Home to Europe's largest science museum, this area rewards daytime and nighttime explorations; there are three concert spaces, plus cinemas and bars, and even open-air cinema in the summer. The surrounding homes are a sharp contrast to the futuristic space. Though on the outskirts of Paris, La Villette is worth the short Metro ride from the centre.
How to get there
- Riquet • 4 min walk
- Laumière • 5 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
4,721 within 6 miles
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4.5
108 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
49
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Lotte
Utrecht, The Netherlands22 contributions
Jul 2022
I went here during a heatwave and could not have chosen a better place. In summer, a small outside pool opens which allows a certain amount of people in for free in timeslots (opening times on Google, check beforehand). It is clean and cool water, both excellent for adult swimmers as well as for those with small children, and the escape from the heat is so welcome. It helps that it's easy and quick to reach by underground from any part of the inner city, and that the sort of gentrified surrounding area offers great restaurants and cafes. Unlike other swimming places, you do not have to book in advance. Much enjoyed this.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory K
Gloucester, UK210 contributions
Aug 2019
Wow! What an amazing facility laid on for the people of Paris. Two banks of the canal basin turned over to a wide assortment of recreational activities. Security at both ends but not particularly intrusive. We spent a very pleasant hour and a half at the swimming pools and it was lovely to see not only the range of ages represented but also the racial and cultural mix. Access to the pools wasn't a problem and we found free deck chairs even though it was sunny and the middle of August.
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Poemberry
Paris, France21 contributions
I have been living in this area for quite some time. My husband and I used to stroll along the canal (parallel to ave. Flandre) until the MK2 cinema which is in the end (or better say the beginig) of the canal. The cafes surrounding 'basin de la villette' have very nice parisien romantic atmosphere, as well as very beautiful and calming views. We enjoyed this area spring through winter.
Tip: There's a free boat between the 2 MK2 cinemas which are located on opposite sides of the canal. I recommend you to ride this boat which goes from one side to the other every 15 minutes.
Tip: There's a free boat between the 2 MK2 cinemas which are located on opposite sides of the canal. I recommend you to ride this boat which goes from one side to the other every 15 minutes.
Written 1 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
revassons
beijing4 contributions
Aug 2019
I have visited this swimming pool today with my two young children for the first time. my 5 year old son was treated with physical violence there by a man who called himself “pool manager” . My daughter and I just finished swimming and was picking up my son who was sun-bathing by the pool because he was too cold. The “manager” asked his age and asked him to stand up. My son was reluctant to carry his gaggles and threw them at me and hit my face, suddenly the “manager” became furious seeing this and grabbed his arm and started to pull him out of the pool sidewalk, while saying something to the child which I couldn’t hear, and my son suddenly bursted out crying, looking frightened. I was two meters away and running on the other side of the fence, in French “mr. Please leave him to me, I will pick him up, you scared him!”, I repeatedly yelled these words and he refused to look at me, until he “threw my son” out. Then I told him “you can’t do this to a child, I don’t need you to teach him how to behave!”. But he gave me his reasoning that “ this is my pool and it is not for a 5 year old”. Firstly, nobody told us this while we registered at the gate , then he could have simply told us and we would leave ( we already finished swimming, and during the entire time, there were many staff at the pool yet nobody questioned my son swimming there). French government staff do know how to speak politely, right ? I was utterly shocked this time. I never experienced that for the past twenty years of visiting France regularly. Then this manager mobilized his colleague and security to throw us out when I began to asked for a facility manager - he saw me taking photos of him and probably started to feel threatened when I was talking to his colleague ( he came all the way and forged some fake excuses like “ I told you ten times your son is too young for the pool”). we already finished swimming and about to to leave when he acted violently to my son and never spoke to me about age limit before he dragged my son out ! What a lier!
I think he has seen us as tourists because the security staff there refused to tell me the police phone number when I asked for it. But how Paris treat tourists is problematic, as tourism is a pillar industry for Paris. Of course I plan to leave this story here to warn all foreign visitors to protect their kids better. I attached the photos of the violent staff.
I think he has seen us as tourists because the security staff there refused to tell me the police phone number when I asked for it. But how Paris treat tourists is problematic, as tourism is a pillar industry for Paris. Of course I plan to leave this story here to warn all foreign visitors to protect their kids better. I attached the photos of the violent staff.
Written 10 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrsmacwirral
wirral109 contributions
Mar 2019
Stayed at the holiday inn express hotel on this canal
It felt safe
Lovely to hire a boat to take you up the canal
Lovely to walk along with great parks either end fairly flat
Lots of restaurants but please book especially at weekend for evening meals
Not to expensive
Close to metro
Can get very busy when weather good but still plenty of walking space
It felt safe
Lovely to hire a boat to take you up the canal
Lovely to walk along with great parks either end fairly flat
Lots of restaurants but please book especially at weekend for evening meals
Not to expensive
Close to metro
Can get very busy when weather good but still plenty of walking space
Written 17 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BlueDolphin9
Mauritius186 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We stayed for 6 nights at the nearby Holiday Inn Express Canal de La Villette and had a room overlooking the beautiful Canal de La Villette . The Canal is well lit and even in the early morning or late afternoon we could see locals jogging or biking .
Written 21 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
Toulouse, France1,425 contributions
Apr 2016
Where to begin: What a great locale. It wasn't always so and there's plenty of negative comments about this area.....but don't believe them...that was then, this is now.
Re-energised, developed and gentrified this former dodgy area is really delightful and the more time we spend here the more we appreciate it. We're on a boat and moored here for 2 weeks - a great harbour but sadly no services for boats over 15 metres....Paris is missing out as the demand to be here is huge and the main Port at the Arsenal is always full with a huge waiting list.....La Villette is a perfect alternative.
Surrounded by apartments plenty of shops, cinemas and cafes the place is buzzing every day especially at weekends - quaysides filled with promenading couples, families and so on give it a great relaxed vibe.....the port just needs extending and would fill in a heartbeat.
Great metro access close by.....and a wonderful place....check it out.
Re-energised, developed and gentrified this former dodgy area is really delightful and the more time we spend here the more we appreciate it. We're on a boat and moored here for 2 weeks - a great harbour but sadly no services for boats over 15 metres....Paris is missing out as the demand to be here is huge and the main Port at the Arsenal is always full with a huge waiting list.....La Villette is a perfect alternative.
Surrounded by apartments plenty of shops, cinemas and cafes the place is buzzing every day especially at weekends - quaysides filled with promenading couples, families and so on give it a great relaxed vibe.....the port just needs extending and would fill in a heartbeat.
Great metro access close by.....and a wonderful place....check it out.
Written 21 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davidandmel
Birmingham, UK1,574 contributions
Apr 2022
This waterside location is pretty and tranquil and easy to get to if you are staying in Belleville in the 20th A. A good locals spot with plenty of eating and drinking options - a pretty place for a picnic on a fine day
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BarbieMegaTraveller
Sydney, Australia6,915 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
In the summer this is like a beach with river swimming mixed with a kids' outdoor camp that includes adults. With activities like boat hire, water bikes, water zorbing, flying fox across the wide canal, table games and sand - it was like a nature's disneyland, check out the photos.
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Benjamin P
Whangarei, New Zealand781 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
Friends of mine live on both sides of this place, near where the Bassin opens out, which has become a focal point for thousands during the summer months. Towards the Stalingrad end, they create part of Paris Plages, which serves as the beach for those unable to leave Paris. There are cinemas also. There is also a attended swimming pool suspended in the Bassin. Then, as the entire space, especially in the northern reaches at Quai de l'Oise, becomes more gentrified, there are new bars, cafés and restaurants and new shops with a particular focus on organics. For others it is a place to bring a picnic lunch or dinner and some wine and enjoy the various scenic attractions for free.
Written 13 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to get from the Bassin de la Villette to Place de la Bastille? Read it was possible. Can't seem to find any info on it. Want to do it on Sunday, May 15th.
Written 23 April 2016
Hi, the trip is pretty easy whether going on foot or by boat as we will next week.
If travelling on foot use the Metro it's 1.80 euros each way, there's a Metro station at the end of Bassin de la Villette called Stalingrad which is on a direct line ( 5 or 7 I think) to Bastille Metro station a few stops away. Come out of the metro at Bastille and the Round about and monument commemorating the storming is in front of you.
If going by boat......you just take the Canal St Martin from La Villette descending the 4 locks and canal for 4 kms through the tunnel that pops you into the Arsenal port ( make sure to have a reserved place before going). The trip takes approx. 2 hrs. The Monument is at the end of the port, you can't miss it.
Written 24 April 2016
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