Canal Cycling: Reflections from La Villette to Pantin

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

A good friend from the 6th arrondissement was keen to get “back in the saddle” with a bike ride. I proposed a relaxing and safe trip along the canal, from La Villette to Pantin. It’s a journey where you can pedal at your own pace, stop easily for photos, and simply enjoy the scenery without the stress of Paris traffic.

We met at a café near the Jaurès metro station, then set out to find a couple of Vélibs. It’s not just about grabbing the first bike you see; the app lets you check recent ratings, which greatly improves your chances of finding a good one. Just before we found our bikes, a beautiful, very artistic storefront caught my eye.

Once on the canal path, the world was alive with reflections. A runner was a blur of motion in front of a multi-striped building, a boat named “Antipode” anchored nearby, and the buildings, people, and boats created natural filters on the water, turning the scene into a series of Impressionist paintings. This is a place I’ll need to return to, as the canal is also a remarkable gallery for street art.

As we continued our journey, we passed the wondrous Géode, a perfect sphere that reflects the sky and the city, before passing under the périphérique and arriving in Pantin. Along the way, torn and layered posters told mini-stories on the walls. The reflections continued to invade our surroundings, but one of the most remarkable was a symmetrical reflection of buildings across the canal, creating a line of mirrored art in the distance. On the outskirts of Pantin, a trompe-l’œil of a woman in a room captured our attention, a clever illusion that made us stop and look twice.

Finally, we headed back to La Villette, passing through its park with its vibrant greenery before dropping off our bikes. Mission accomplished — we found our way back to our respective neighborhoods, but not before capturing a few more beautiful reflections.