Bikes, shopping carts and a gun found in newly drained Canal Saint-Martin

PARIS, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- France began draining the Canal Saint-Martin for the first time in 15 years on Monday revealing a number of strange objects.

Amongst the debris found at the bottom of the Parisian canal were several bicycles, shopping carts and even a handgun, which The Local reports was quickly collected by police.

France 24 reports that the last draining in 2001 also revealed strange debris including more bicycles, bathtubs and ammunition from World War I.

More than 24 million gallons of water were slowly drained from the canal in the massive clean-up project which takes place every 12-14 years and cost approximately $10.2 million to complete.

"It's necessary to dredge the canal, repair its walls and renovate the locks," Eau de Paris president Célia Blauel said.

Teams of fisherman will collect the canal's wildlife as the area is drained. When draining is complete the canal will remain empty for about three months.