Allée de l’Ourcq

Gazing at Allée de l’Ourcq, did you ever imagine it as a bustling industrial hub? Allée de l’Ourcq traces its origins back to the 19th century. Napoleon Bonaparte, seeking to address Paris’s water shortage and improve navigation, commissioned its construction. Work commenced in 1802. The canal’s purpose was threefold: to supply drinking water to Paris, to create a navigable waterway for transporting goods, and to feed the Saint-Martin and Saint-Denis canals. Allée de l’Ourcq, part of the Canal de l’Ourcq, became a vital artery. The canal officially opened in 1813, marking a new era for Parisian infrastructure. The Canal de l’Ourcq, with Allée de l’Ourcq as a key component, stands as the longest of the Parisian canals. Stretching 97 kilometers from Paris to Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, it extends a further 11 kilometers along the canalised Ourcq River to Port aux Perches. The canal comprises three distinct sections. The first, from Bassin de la Villette to Pavillons-sous-Bois, is a large-gauge canal without locks, now a hub for leisure activities. The second, from Aulnay-sous-Bois to Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, is a small-gauge canal with six locks, dedicated to pleasure boating. The third section follows the picturesque canalised Ourcq River, dotted with four locks. Allée de l’Ourcq, connected to this intricate network, played a role in Paris’s transformation. The industrial activity along the canal flourished, particularly at the Port de la Villette. This became a major industrial center in the early 20th century. Today, the Allée de l’Ourcq offers a tranquil escape. It serves as a reminder of the canal’s rich history and its ongoing contribution to Parisian life.