Handicap Accessibility in Paris

Search this site. Europe, Paris included, is not very handicap accessible. For example virtually every restroom in a cafe or restaurant will be up or down a very steep narrow set of stairs. So you will have to use restrooms that are convenient when you see them or the free public restroom stalls on the street. If she can walk a few steps those will be fine.

The bus system is designed for wheelchairs and buses are ramped and have space for chairs. Of course during rush hours this may not be practical. The metro is basically useless. There are one or two lines that are accessible but most are not. The Seine Cruise dock near Pont d'Alma is ramped and so probably useful for accessible cruising.

Hotels often have a few stairs to the elevators and very small hotels may not have elevators that will take a chair so be sure you have that nailed down. The Louvre is an old palace filled with stairs but for every single stair there is an elevator tucked around the corner and it is very accessible. The Arc du Triomphe on the other hand is not as the elevator stops short of the top. I would think the Eiffel tower would be accessible but am not sure; I have not seen wheelchairs there. There are elevators and so it probably is accessible. Most museums and attractions have information about accessibility on their web sites. Those in older buildings like old mansions are often not accessible.

But you need specialty advice and should search here and on Trip Advisor where you are likely to find experienced travelers and also references to resources.

Most mainstream guides, Rick's included, are not geared to those in wheelchairs. Rick used to publish a guide called Easy Access Europe. It's now old and he provides it free on this website. So, even though it's outdated, you may want to start with it.

Here's his webpage on travelers with disabilities, with links on the right side of the page for more up to date and specific information: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travelers-with-disabilities

Here's the direct link for downloading Easy Access Europe: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/easy-access-europe

Rick Steve's book "Easy Access Europe" would be helpful to read.

On the plus side, you will find the Parisiens to be very helpful and patient.

Elevators in museums and other public places are often tucked around behind a corner, but there will be someone to direct you to them. Because the buildings are very old, predating the invention of elevators, the elevators are often very small - maybe 30 inches on each side, so contact your hotel by email or phone to confirm that their elevator can accommodate your wife's wheelchair. Also, hotel rooms are typically smaller than what we are used to in the US, so navigating a wheelchair may be difficult.

The biggest challenge will be public restrooms. I know of 2 cafes with a restroom on the main floor: Da Rosa in the 1st, off Rue de Rivoli, across from the Westin, and Indiana in the 3rd on the corner of Blvd de Sebastopol and Etienne Marcel. There are undoubtedly more, but those are the ones I remember.

And, do use the public buses because they are accessible.

Steve,

You may find more helpful tips about accessible travel in Paris on this website: sagetraveling.com

Wishing you a fantastic trip!

Not all bus lines are equipped with ramps. You have to use the rapt.fr website to find handicap accessible buses.

I traveled to Paris last fall, and like your wife use a wheelchair for distances. We found that buses were best for getting around (we avoided rush hours). Many intersections had curb cuts. We made sure we stayed a hotel with an elevator. On the plus side, she (and an escort) will get free admission to most museums and even their special exhibits. Plus, you do not need to wait in the museum entrance lines. Have you flown with a wheelchair before? Send me a private message if you have any questions.