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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 15:04:53 GMT
Since I have walked the length of the Canal Saint Denis twice already (report HERE), I know that a lot of my photos will be repetitive, but there is an additional charm to doing the same route on a boat. It is definitely more relaxing and you do get to see slightly different angles of the things along the way. Street Art Avenue is a cultural project by the urban association of Plaine Commune, basically to bring some beautiful (remunerated) street art to the Canal Saint Denis and other zones, but not at all to replace the spontaneous graffiti of the area. Plaine Commune combines the suburban cities of Aubervilliers, Epinay-sur-Seine, L'Ile Saint Denis, La Courneuve, Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Saint Denis, Saint Ouen and Stains. They pay artists every year to create new works, or at least reimburse their paint and sometimes rental of scaffolding and things like that. The mention of any of these towns will curl the lips of most Parisians, so it is the perfect location for someone like me to explore. In any case, the trip started from the Parc de la Villette in Paris, at the intersection of the Canal de l'Ourcq and the Canal Saint Denis.
And so here I am on the boat. I'm the king of the world.
Waterside cafés and restaurants are now in full swing again.
time to go through the first lock
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 15:09:25 GMT
Will we be going through the wall? No, we'll be going under the wall. Deep! Escape! massive door And it's time to visit the suburbs.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 15:17:24 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Jul 5, 2021 16:02:50 GMT
Its sensational Kerouac! How did you find out about the boat trip and do you think any of us poor tourists would ever stumble across something so nice?! There may be adverts in local news but all in French so that puts paid to my plans. I have for the past few trips to Paris gone for the untouristy places. I find them so interesting.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 16:08:39 GMT
I receive most of my proposals from Explore Paris ( exploreparis.com/en/ ). While the vast majority of tours are in French, when sufficient numbers of foreign tourists get back to Paris, I'm sure there will be many more tours in English.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 16:23:32 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 16:33:32 GMT
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Post by bjd on Jul 5, 2021 16:52:47 GMT
Fascinating. I'm glad street art has been acknowledged as an art form and no longer as vandalism.
In Bayonne too, every October, a few street artists are invited to come and paint. The latest city maps even show the new sites.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 17:45:49 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 17:52:03 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 18:00:11 GMT
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Post by mossie on Jul 5, 2021 18:29:27 GMT
That is an excellent selection, I particularly admire the cement works.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 18:38:54 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 18:47:45 GMT
end of the line! This is "6b" -- an alternative art centre in a disused building. I didn't feel like visiting today, but just about everybody else went in. I walked back towards the train station about 400 metres away. The ramp on the right goes to the train station. Unfortunately there were no trains because off a technical incident, so I took the T1 tram to the Basilique and got the metro there. And here is my traditional short video showing a bit of movement.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 5, 2021 19:50:55 GMT
Great report. Some amazing street art.
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Post by htmb on Jul 5, 2021 21:01:31 GMT
I suffer from a lack of appreciation of street art, though I’m trying to improve. However, this tour sounds really great and I would have enjoyed participating. I think I’ve done two of these Explore Paris tours and they were unique and interesting. I like the colors and some of the designs and I especially like the Jaguar and accompanying art by the Colombian woman. I’m also reminded that I’ve never visited Saint Denis. Maybe one day.
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Post by lugg on Jul 5, 2021 21:01:54 GMT
Can only echo what Mick said some / most of the street art is amazing. The decoration of the cement works has stood the test of time. [ quote author=" kerouac2" source="/post/369995/thread" timestamp="1625497765"]Will we be going through the wall? No, we'll be going under the wall. Deep![/quote] At first I thought it was a lock but now I am not so sure ??
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 5, 2021 21:22:09 GMT
Well, it's a lock with a wall above it.
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Post by fumobici on Jul 6, 2021 2:41:09 GMT
Delicious, thank you! Whatever the art might at times lack in technical sophistication is amply offset by its colorful exuberance.
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Post by htmb on Jul 6, 2021 2:47:56 GMT
Super video, too. It really helps to complete the full experience.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 6, 2021 8:54:23 GMT
I’m also reminded that I’ve never visited Saint Denis. Maybe one day. Then make it a morning when the large open air market is in full swing. After a sniff around and for me, buying a few tea-towels for my kitchen, we spend enough time unhurriedly to admire the basilica inside before finding that it is nigh on lunchtime. A short wander over to one of the restaurants facing the church and little childrens merri-go-round, we enjoy a nice relaxed lunch without expecting haute-cuisine. I think a Saturday is a good time. After strolling back to the metro we passed through the market again - but it was all gone. Only the cleaning crew was in action.
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