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Is this a good place for a nice walk in May? Is there a certain "stretch" of the canal that is nicer/more picturesque than others? Any activities to do in that area? (boat ride on the canal) Good cafe's, lunch spots or shopping? Is this worth a trip?
Any help is appreciated!

Well..sorta'....The upper (open) portion of the Canal Saint Martin is a pleasant stroll. Take the #2, #5 or #7 Metro lignes to either the STALINGRAD or JAURES station and then begin to walk south (back down toward the Seine) along the canal. The caral is picturesque, tree-lined and bridged along this route with two or three operating locks (you'll probably get to see a couple of the canal tour boats transit locks as you go). The surrounding neighborhoods aren't exactly picturesque (a mix of old, new and simply utilitarian)---but the stroll is pleasant nonetheless. I don't recall any especially interesting cafes along the route (I'm not sure if the Hotel du Nord operate as a cafe during the day--it's a live comedy club in the evenings). Once you get to the rue du Faubourg de Temple, where the canal enters the tunnels, head west toward Place de Republique and down into the 3rd--Marais, where you'll find plenty of good cafes, restaurants, interesting shops and other things to see and do (Place des Vosges, Musees Picasso, Carnavalet, Conacq-Jay, etc.

If you get off the métro at Jaurés - as rightly suggested, and walk along the Quai de Valmy (rather than the Quai des Jemappes) towards place de la Bastille, it is a pleasant walk, with old buildings and one or two interesting cafés. Antoine et Lili have a café, interesting and brightly coloured, although a mainly bobo population during the daytime. Otherwise there's a trendy (if somewhat smoky) little café-bar called Chez Prune. There're some interesting small designer and craft shops in the area tha are worth a look.

Tip: if you go on Sunday the Quai is closed to traffic, which means it's safer for family walks, although there do tend to be alot more people...

Bunny, what is bobo population?