L'Été du Canal
Summer festival on the canals of Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis
About L'Été du Canal
L'Été du Canal: Transforming Canals into a Popular Party Ground
Born in 2007, L'Été du Canal has become in less than twenty years one of the most popular summer events in the Paris region. Every summer, from early July to mid-August, it transforms the banks of the Canal de l'Ourcq, the Canal Saint-Denis, and the Bassin de la Villette into a huge living space, full of culture and celebration for the residents of Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis.
The event is driven by a partnership between Paris-Canal, the town halls of the riverside municipalities, the Department of Seine-Saint-Denis, the City of Paris, and numerous cultural and associative partners. This collective organization reflects the transversal dimension of the event, which physically and symbolically crosses the border between Paris and its suburbs, transforming the canal into a link rather than a boundary.
Cruises, Shows, and Open-Air Dances
At the heart of the program, about fifty themed cruises offer musical journeys on the canal every summer: jazz cruises, reggae cruises, Latin cruises, street art cruises, gastronomic cruises, and family cruises for children. These dancing boats are one of the festival's most popular formats, allowing participants to experience unique music while sailing on the canal waters.
On the banks, open-air shows, popular dances, and free concerts liven up the riverbanks throughout the month. Tents, floating stages, and spaces set up on the quays host artistic performances, DJ sets, and entertainment for all audiences, creating a permanent and inclusive festive atmosphere.
Canal en Pagaies: Festive Descent on the Ourcq
One of the festival's highlights is Canal en Pagaies, a large collective descent by canoe, kayak, and paddle along the Canal de l'Ourcq, from Sevran to Pantin. Over ten kilometers of route dotted with artistic and musical entertainment, hundreds of participants paddle together in a festive and shared atmosphere. Upon arrival, a festive area with DJ sets and food welcomes the paddlers, transforming the finish line into a community event.
A Popular and Accessible Event
L'Été du Canal champions total accessibility: most events on the banks are free, allowing all residents to enjoy the festival without financial constraints. Water activities and themed cruises, offered at moderate prices, complement the offerings for those who wish for a more elaborate experience.
The event plays an important social role in the territory: it allows residents from popular neighborhoods in Seine-Saint-Denis and the peripheral arrondissements of Paris to embrace a space often perceived as the limit of their territory, and to experience it as a shared space of pleasure and culture.
Olympic Heritage and International Reach
The 2025 edition integrated a commemorative dimension linked to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, for which the Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis on the canal's edge, was one of the main venues. A 15 km urban walk, punctuated by visits and discovery cruises around the Stadium, paid tribute to this sporting and festive heritage. This heritage dimension enriches the identity of an event that aims to be both rooted in the present and attentive to the history of its territories.
L'Été du Canal — edition 2026
L'Été du Canal returns for its 19th edition, from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, August 9, 2026, along the Canal de l'Ourcq, Canal Saint-Denis, and the Northern loop of the Seine. Organized by Tourisme Seine-Saint-Denis with seventeen partner cities, the 2026 edition is structured around seven thematic weekends combining cruises, river shuttles at €1 and €2, shows, open-air dances, and free workshops.
2026 Edition — seven thematic weekends from June 27 to August 9
For its 19th edition, L'Été du Canal goes big: from June 27 to August 9, 2026, the festival enlivens the banks of the Canal de l'Ourcq, Canal Saint-Denis, and the Northern loop of the Seine through seven thematic weekends, each designed as an immersion into a different universe. The event is organized by Tourisme Seine-Saint-Denis and seventeen partner cities, from Paris to Aulnay-sous-Bois.
Cruises, river shuttles, and water activities
More than fifty thematic cruises (street art, musical, gourmet, cinema, heritage, Olympic legacy) allow rediscovering the canals from the water. River shuttles resume from the weekend of July 4-5 until August 8-9, at €1 on Saturdays and €2 on Sundays, with two loops: the large loop (Parc de la Villette, Pantin, Bobigny) and the small loop (Bobigny–Aulnay, in July). A new "shuttle + swimming in Pantin" formula completes the offer.
A popular and accessible celebration
The majority of activities on the banks remain free: dances, open-air cafes, live shows, creative workshops, and open-air cinema. Thematic cruises and water activities are offered at moderate prices. The program and reservations are available on the official Tourisme Seine-Saint-Denis website and on the exploreparis.com ticketing platform.
Programme L'Été du Canal 2026
Weekend 1 — June 27-28: water sports and opening
- Pantin-sur-Mer — ephemeral seaside resort on the banks of Pantin (music, DJ, free activities)
- Canal en Pagaies — collective canoe, kayak, and paddle descent over 10 km of the Canal de l'Ourcq, from Sevran to Pantin, punctuated by artistic interventions
Weekend 2 — July 4-5: live performance
- Resumption of river shuttles on the Canal de l'Ourcq
- Urban circus, street football, and onboard performances ("La Grosse Croisière"); "Voyage Voyage" at the Bassin de la Maltournée
Weekend 3 — July 11-12: street art
- Graffiti workshops, beatbox sessions
- Auber Graffiti Show — live fresco (Street-Art Avenue), about twenty artists
Weekend 4 — July 18-19: celebration
- Guinguettes, open-airs, barge "Le Barboteur" with DJ sets
Weekend 5 — July 25-26: cinema
- Open-air screenings, cinema cruises towards the Villette cinema, visits to film archives
Weekend 6 — August 1-2: Olympic legacy
- Great Olympic Heritage walk (guided tour around the Paris 2024 Olympic sites)
- Discovery cruises around the Stade de France and the Canal Saint-Denis
Weekend 7 — August 8-9: know-how and craftsmanship
- Free participatory workshops (graffiti, photography, metal)
- Hip Hop Cruise & performance (DJ, graffeur, beatboxer, dancers) — Canal Saint-Denis and Seine loop departing from 6b, on August 9
River shuttles every weekend from July 4 to August 9. Full program and reservations on tourisme93.com/ete-du-canal and exploreparis.com.
Highlights L'Été du Canal 2026
- 19th edition, from June 27 to August 9, 2026, over seven thematic weekends
- More than 50 thematic cruises (street art, music, cinema, gastronomy, Olympic legacy)
- River shuttles at €1 on Saturdays and €2 on Sundays on the Canal de l'Ourcq
- Canal en Pagaies: collective 10 km descent from Sevran to Pantin (June 27-28)
- Majority of activities on the banks are free
Prices L'Été du Canal 2026
Practical information — L'Été du Canal
Practical Information
Geographic Area
L'Été du Canal takes place along the Canal de l'Ourcq (from Sevran to Pantin), the Canal Saint-Denis, and the Bassin de la Villette. Events are spread across the municipalities of Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers, Pantin, and La Villette (Paris).
Access
Canal de l'Ourcq in Pantin: Metro line 5, Hoche or Eglise de Pantin station.
Bassin de la Villette: Metro line 5, Laumière or Jaurès station.
Canal Saint-Denis: Accessible from Saint-Denis (RER D or tramway T1).
Prices
Most events on the banks are free. Themed cruises are offered at moderate prices (from 15 to 30 EUR depending on the package). Water activities (kayak, paddle) are available at reduced rates.
River Shuttles
Low-cost river shuttles operate on the Canal de l'Ourcq on festival weekends.
Ticketing and Program
Program and cruise reservations at tourisme93.com/ete-du-canal and on partner platforms.
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Where does it take place — L'Été du Canal
Canal de l'Ourcq, canal Saint-Denis et Bassin de la Villette
Canal de l'Ourcq, 93200 Saint-Denis