Historical
14th century
The basin of the Arsenal is located on an old inlet of the Seine. It is a natural border, requested by Charles V in 1366, to protect Paris from enemy assaults.
15th century
This basin of the Arsenal looks more like a swamp than a river. The basin was rented by Paris to practice fishing, it was common to hook frogs.
16-18th century
Consolidation and construction works continue over the centuries, the basin changed many times according to is used for commercial or military needs during the Seine floods.
19th century
Beginning of the modern period of the history of the canal Saint-Martin and the Paris Arsenal harbour.
1802
Napoleon Ist entrusts the building of a canal to bring fresh water from the river Ourcq and the marl to Pierre Simon Girard.
1806
The emperor built a marina in the arsenal.
1813
The river Ourcq leads to the basin of La Villette after long expensive works.
1815-1818
Fall of the Empire. The project of Napoleon I is continued by a private company: The “Compagnie des canaux de Paris”.
1825
The Canal Saint Martin and the basin of Arsenal were completed after 23 years of work. It provided 60% of the fresh water for the capital and improved the traffic.
1859
Under the reign of Napoleon III, Haussmann entrusts the covering of the Canal Saint Martin (current boulevard Richard Lenoir) to the engineer Belgrand.
1876
The Paris City Hall buys the entire river network formed by the Ourcq, Saint Martin and Saint Denis canals.
20th century
1880-1900
Reconstruction work and deepening of the basin of the La Villette, the extension of the Canal Saint Martin.
1906
Canal Saint Martin covering works, until the lock of the Temple.
1920-1973
The H.P.L.M: important shipping line in internal waters, established their warehouses in the basin of the Arsenal.
1973-1983
The buildings of the H.P.L.M were sold to the company “Sani-Central” which stored its sanitary earthenware resulting the arsenal nickname of “port-bidet”.
1983
Decision to create the marina of the Arsenal in Paris.
21th century
2008
The management of the marina of the Arsenal is given to the “Fayolle Marine” office which opened a new port: “La Halte Nautique de la Vilette” as of January, 1st 2008.
There are now 194 mooring berths for boats between 6 and 25 meters of length with facilities and services.
2009
Fayolle marine started to make some renovations of the port: water and electricity terminals and floating pontoon were replaced. Pump station for the treatment of liquid waste were set in place, selective sorting and relaxation room for the clients…
2010
Fayolle Marine has the triple certification by the VERITAS office :
- ISO 9001 (quality)
- OHSAS 18001 (security)
- ISO 14001 (environment).