Is there any handicap access to the Deportation Memorial behind Notre Dame? That deep staircase is forbidding, which is appropriate for the atmosphere of the memorial, but makes it inaccessible to many people. For sure, any Holocaust survivor would be unable to enter!
Posted by
la la land...
848 posts
As of 2019 there was no handicap/wheelchair access, but I recall "plans" to add some. Doubtful that happened during Covid, maybe a Parisian poster has more updated info. The stairs are on the challenging side for even able-bodied folks...
Posted by
Paris
9572 posts
This description of the site on the official French Ministry of Defense website says “the site is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility.”
https://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/fr/memorial-des-martyrs-de-la-deportation
That isn't very encouraging, I’m afraid. It's been years since I’ve been there myself.
Posted by
OP
Tampa, FL
7 posts
I'd bet that 'partially accessible' means you can look down the stairs. That's really a shame.
Posted by
la la land...
848 posts
I'd bet that 'partially accessible' means you can look down the stairs.
Akin to being partially pregnant, maybe? One either is, or is not, pregnant.
The memorial is either handicapped accessible or it isn't. To make matters even less clear, the "partially" from the French website doesn't even refer to handicap access, but to people with reduced mobiity. Whatever is meant, it is not helpful information for someone planning a visit. I would give it a pass if accessibility is required for anyone in your party.
Posted by
79 posts
As a Holocaust Educator and a Paris visitor (R Steves Best of Paris 12-18 Feb 23), I visited the Memorial Des Martyrs de la Deportation and the Memorial de la Shoah.
The former is not handicapped accessible, whereas the quite remarkable latter is. The Deportation is a memorial. The Memorial de la Shoah contains, not only memorial exhibits, but also is a very complete Shoah museum---entry free, donations requested. I donated so I could increase my kippah collection and to support the work there. ab