Canal de l’Ourcq

Canal de l’Ourcq is popular with visitors and locals alike. This Paris waterway has a rich  history in a varied environmental setting.

History:
"The first efforts towards engineering the waterway were inspired by the need for firewood for heating in Paris. The Valois and Orléans families owned a large tract of forest, and in 1560 a plan was devised to carry wood via a system of simple locks. In 1661, Louis XIV allowed tolls to be collected along the Ourcq River, payable to Philippe d'Orléans." Source: Wikipedia

Related articles

• The Canal System of Paris
• Paris Water Walk: Footloose on the Canals Saint Martin and Ourcq