It’s 4.5 kilometres long, holds 90,000 cubic metres of water and contains treasures ranging from gold coins to washing machines… The Canal
ADVERTISEMENTIt’s 4.5 kilometres long, holds 90,000 cubic metres of water and contains treasures ranging from gold coins to washing machines…
The Canal Saint-Martin in Paris is being dredged for the first time in 15 years.
Fish are evacuated ahead of the operation and all the water is transferred into the capital’s River Seine.
A favourite hangout for the French capital’s bobos — or bourgeois bohemians — the waterway will take three months and millions of euros to drain and clean.
As rolled up carpets, suitcases, street signs and bikes emerged, one local office worker described the Canal as “a giant dustbin.”
One woman said:
“When you see the bikes, the scooters, you think ‘OK, that was an accident.’ But the bottles, they’ve been thrown in on purpose. It’s shocking.”
Another child was slightly more hopeful about the operation. When asked what he thought might be found, he said:
“For example, coins, gold bars or rubies!”
Local authorities have warned people to resist the temptation to jump in and search for items they may have lost over the years.
In images
Hundreds of the capital’s Vélib hired bicycles have been found.
Une centaine de Vélib retrouvés au fond du Canal Saint-Martin https://t.co/2JMyYweosipic.twitter.com/bRWH1wzbi9
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) January 11, 2016
Près de 100 Vélib exhumés du canal Saint-Martin https://t.co/X66gHIwcbkpic.twitter.com/NH009lq5b4
— Libération (@libe) January 11, 2016
And bottles. Lots of bottles…
More than anything else there are BOTTLES in the bottom of Canal Saint Martin! Cleaning has commenced... pic.twitter.com/SGWdEDGChx
— Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) January 9, 2016
Catfish, filth and ‘little secrets’ were also found.
More than anything else there are BOTTLES in the bottom of Canal Saint Martin! Cleaning has commenced... pic.twitter.com/SGWdEDGChx
— Anne Ditmeyer (@pretavoyager) January 9, 2016
Le canal Saint-Martin se vide et dévoile ses trésors https://t.co/jOyW95shutpic.twitter.com/ug1qGW5htD
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) January 7, 2016