A Canal in Paris Was Drained for the First Time in Decades and What Was Found Was Really Bizarre

The Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, France, is one of the most historic sites in this beautiful city. But, Parisian authorities had no idea that there were hidden secrets buried under the water’s surface.

And when they drained the canal after 15 years, they unraveled some unbelievable secrets from the past.

The Canal is Drained Every 15 Years

Every fifteen years or so, the city of Paris, France, drains the approximately 5-kilometer-long Canal Saint-Martin.

But they hadn’t done this since 2001 and it soon became clear that it was time to do it again for the sake of the local businesses in the area.

It’s Become a Hot Spot

In recent years, the area has turned into a hot spot for tourists and Bobos, a group of people with a bourgeois-bohemian way of life that are reminiscent of hipsters. New cafes, trendy bars, and quirky restaurants have also popped up in this region.

But, attracting tourists wasn’t what Napoleon originally intended for the canal.

The Canal Was Paris’ Only Hope

In 1825, the canal, which was commissioned by the future French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte, was finally completed and it had a purpose.

In those days, Paris’ population was growing exponentially, which increased the spread of diseases like cholera and dysentery. So, the canal became the city’s saving grace, and there are plenty of reasons for it.

Wine Tax Helped Fund the Project

Bonaparte hoped that the fresh water would diminish the spread of various diseases by keeping the streets clean. He funded the canal’s construction by imposing a tax on wine on the population, and soon, the great work began.