My mother and I will be visiting Paris in March. She is 79 and has some spinal issues that make walking long distances very difficult, though she is ambulatory. I'm planning to buy or rent a lightweight wheelchair for her to use on the trip. I was wondering if I could lock it to a bike stand when we go into shops, cafes, etc. Does anyone have any experience or advice for partially- disabled travelers in Paris?
Thank you@
Many contributors on the forum have recommended Sage for wheelchair needs in Paris, etc. Hope this helps. Have a wonderful trip. https://www.sagetraveling.com/
Buy one that folds up, fold it up and take it into the shop/cafe with you. My experience of getting my mum around in a wheelchair (not in Paris unfortunately) was that cafe owners and shopkeepers are generally happy to find somewhere to put it. Usually near the stack of high chairs for babies.
I’ve used a wheelchair for going distances for many years. I suggest buying one, not too flimsy- not a transfer chair. The chair comes in very handy in airports as well as getting around day to day. You can gate check the wheelchair at the airport and airports seem to have great assistants who can help with pushing. Ask the airline check in staff to see if they can arrange an escort. They know where the elevators are and often get you through security faster. Paris has good curb cuts. For public transportation, the buses and trams are best. Most metro entrances do not have elevators. As others have said, restaurant staff tend to be very helpful as to where to store the chair.
Avoid the Metro as it has many staircases with no escalator or elevator alternative. However, all Paris buses nowadays have low floors and wheelchair ramps.
Or alternatively, unless the wheelchair is very low, there shouldn't be any problem sitting in it at the restaurant table.
