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Advice for Wheelchair User taking train from CDG to Avignon

Posted by on

We are flying into Oakland to CDG airport on Sunday, 9/15. I use a manual wheelchair we are looking at staying the night at a hotel that is within walking distance of CDG and the train station. We are planning to take the TGV to Avignon on Monday, then renting a car in Avignon to get to St Remy. I have the following questions:

  1. Does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel at CDG that is close to both CDG and the TGV train station?
  2. In Spain, there are personnel who are paid to help disabled travelers at both airports and train stations -- do the French provide a similar service?
  3. When you are buying a TGV ticket, do you need to let them know what you are a wheelchair user? If so, which website can you use that provides that option?
  4. How much luggage can you take on the TGV trains? Where is it stored? Is there a difference between 1st and 2nd class in that regard?
Posted by
6876 posts

Hi,
No first hand experience of wheelchair user services here, but here are the answers / partial answers I can offer from very frequent TGV travels:
1. The Sheraton is closest, and it's fine
2. Yes, it's called Accès Plus, but I don't know how to reach them from abroad and if they speak English on the phone line (hopefully someone will chip in)
3. Yes, look into the OUI SNCF website for options - I don't have first hand experience.
4. As much as you can carry/have carried, theoretically. It is stored in the cars, at each end and in the middle. First class has more room for luggage (same racks, but fewer passengers); in any case the wheelchair user area is in a first class car (if you can't use a normal seat).

Posted by
3685 posts

  1. Does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel at CDG that is close to both CDG and the TGV train station?
    The TGV train station is in the airport. I suggest the Sheraton, which is in the same terminal as the train station.

  2. In Spain, there are personnel who are paid to help disabled travelers at both airports and train stations -- do the French provide a similar service?
    See https://www.oui.sncf/guide/voyageurs-handicapes/services-assistance

  3. When you are buying a TGV ticket, do you need to let them know what you are a wheelchair user? If so, which website can you use that provides that option?
    https://www.oui.sncf/. After you purchase the ticket, you will out the form that you can find at the site linked to in response 2.

  4. How much luggage can you take on the TGV trains? Where is it stored? Is there a difference between 1st and 2nd class in that regard?

    Usually, I would say bring as much luggage as you can easily manage because you will not have anyone to load the luggage for you. The accessibility assistants will load your luggage but I doubt that they will be happy to load an excessive amount of luggage. This is assuming that you are not taking a Ouigo train which has specific luggage restrictions. I'd check with the office when you contact them about the amount of luggage that the assistant will help with. Luggage is stored racks located in the train cars. There is more luggage space in first class because there are fewer setas but the difference is not huge.

Posted by
22 posts

Is the Sheraton within walking distance to the TGV station? If so, how long would it take to walk there?

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