European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 1, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Paris by boat visitors who see Paris by boat avoid the City s onerous Auto traffic. The canal cruises a which also include a Section of the Seine a pass by notre Dame. Canal tour gives a different perspective fils by Marilyn August associated press the canals of Paris though less renowned than those of Amsterdam or Venice provide a picturesque alternative for visitors already familiar with the famous Riverside sights along the Seine. Daily three hour cruises on the Quot autobus Quot water bus takes visitors Down 165-year-old Waterways connecting the our canal in Northern Paris to the Seine via the peaceful St. Martin canal. With quaint old fashioned swing and draw Bridges and the locks the Chestnut tree lined canal is a quiet Haven off the beaten tourist path. The boats carrying up to 110 passengers Glide by fishermen casting for eels Pike and Carp and float past 19th Century buildings that once housed paper Mills foundries tanneries Glass works and other water related industries. Guides Point out interesting spots like the hotel do word a backdrop in Many French films or a Waterside Brick and Iron factory now a historic landmark which was designed by Gustav Eiffel better known for the Tower which bears his name. Quot i bet you know Eiffel built the Tower but did you know he also designed the first stocking garters Quot asked Robert Charbonneau 44, guide on a recent cruise. Visitors who say they know the City think the cruise is full of surprises. Quot i never dreamed Paris had canals that looked like this Quot said Carol Butler a resident of la Jolla calif., on her fourth visit Here. Quot it s incredibly the locks a in use since 1825 and hand operated until 1960 a allow some 4,000 barges a year to reach the Mouth of the Seine a drop of some 260 feet. Passing through the locks takes about 10 minutes for each set of two. The water level dips revealing thousands of mussels gripping the sides of the canal and spitting water a a refreshing Spray for hot tourists who get too close. The highlight of the cruise is an eerily lit Tunnel nearly 21/2 Miles Long which plunges passengers into near darkness just before the place de la rep oblique and which re emerges above ground beyond the place de la Bastille in the Arsenal Basin. Recent visitors held their breath As the boat passed under the place de la Bastille providing a unique three second glimpse of the base of the july column. The Bronze 171 foot High column topped by a recently re gilded figure of Liberty was erected in memory of the parisians killed in the july 1830 and 1848 revolutions. A better View of the column is offered once the boat glides into the Arsenal Basin. Following the line of the Moat skirting Charles v s ramparts the Basin today is a pleasure boat Harbor where boats Large and Small can Dock. The quasi once piled High with broken bathroom. Fixtures have been landscaped As Terrace gardens where sunbathers gather on warm Days. The tour ends with a ride Down the Seine past the notre Dame Cathedral the lie Saint Louis the Palace of Justice the concierge Rie a prison during the revolution and on to the Musee d orsay museum of 19th Century Art. There Are two departures daily 9 30 . From the orsay and 2 30 . From the Villette Park site of the ultramodern museum of science and Industry and the Geode a futuristic spherical Cinema and planetarium. Reservations Are a must. Get there Early if you want a seat in the Shade a otherwise Wear a hat and plenty of Sun screen. Adults pay 90 francs $18children 55 francs $11. A waterfront scene in the City of Light. Fils november 1, 1990 stripes Magazine 7
