We will be in Paris for just two days. The first day we have booked a private four-hour tour to see some of the city. The second day we were thinking of going on the HOHO batobus water taxi that has a bunch of stops at various Paris sights. Since I have some knee issues, I'm wondering about the stairs at each stop after getting off the boat--are there a LOT of stairs at each stop to get up to the main walking areas? Is the Batobus a good way to see a lot of different areas of Paris along the Seine? Or is there a better way that doesn't involve a lot of walking? (some walking is fine, I just can't do a lot at one time).
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2804 posts
The Seine is lower than street level in Paris, so you would have a set of stairs to climb, then descend upon return to the boat. I would recommend using Google Earth to view the stairs so you know what to expect.
There is a bus #69 passes most of the big sights in central Paris. This might be an easier, and cheaper, option. Use the Bonjour RATP app for details. https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/busratp/69
Posted by
Paris
10847 posts
I would just take one of the cruises that is designed to let you see the city from the Seine - Bateaux Mouches or les Vedettes. In that case, you only have to climb twice - to get on the boat and get back off — and in between you just sit and let Paris unfurl on either side of you.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35254 posts
I've never taken those boats, but accessibility is uppermost with me. I had a look at the Bateaux Mouches at Port de la Conférence (picked a stop randomly) and notices that Google Maps Streetview bubbles show ramps not steps, flat decks, spiral staircase between decks. Disappointed that there is no disabled info at all on their website, but there is contact information.
Posted by
Chicago
9104 posts
The Seine Cruise at Pont d'Alma has a ramped dock. Vedettes Pont Neuf is the worst for difficult stairs down to the Quai.
The Batobus stops are of course not at the places they note because that involves a climb from the bank to wherever those sites are. I'd do the cruise instead and use buses to get to sights around town.