Paris in a wheelchair

That sounds like a useful service. In addition, plan to use regular taxis whenever you need them; rates are reasonable for in-city sightseeing.

If you google something like "Paris in a wheelchair", masses of information comes up, including some on a Paris Tourist Information website. Also, parisbytrain.com has a section on "accessibility" for the handicapped.

My mom uses a walker, so I can give you some idea of what to expect in Paris. First, you will find everyone to be very helpfu and considerate. Paris sidewalks are crowded and the pavement is uneven; however, there are wheelchair cuts at many street crossings. All buses kneelkneel and there i

My mom uses a walker, so I can give you some idea of what to expect in Paris. First, you will find everyone to be very helpful and considerate. Paris sidewalks are crowded and the pavement is uneven; however, there are wheelchair cuts at many street crossings. All buses kneel and there is priority seating for handicapped. Tables are spaced closely together in restaurants and cafes, so little room for a walker or wheelchair. Restrooms in most establishments are up or down a steep stairway. When you find one on the ground floor, remember it for future use. Many museums, etc. have elevators hidden away that are for the exclusive use of handicapped, so ask. We used the L'Open Tour hop-on-hop off bus for sightseeing. We just rode the full route without getting on/off, but we were able to see the sights. Paris, as is most of Euope, a long way from the ADA standards we are used to, but you will find many people ready to assist and accommodate you.

Our daughter needed a wheelchair while in Paris this last summer. I can tell you that the French are very compassionate toward people with disabilities and quickly brought us through a disabled entrance to most museums, cars stopped on the street to let us cross, and even the disabled bathrooms were not being used by people without disabilities. People were very helpful and we even had 7 people ask if we needed help in the metro while my husband carried a wheelchair up the stairs. We were fortunate that our daughter could walk some, and we found it easier to use the metro than the buses. We rented a "transport" wheelchair from home which was light and fairly easy to pick up, so that made it easier to lift in areas we needed to. You might look into renting one. Also, make sure you ask for transport in the airports. In CDG the transport was awesome. The transport wheelchairs have 4 small wheels and can't be self moved, so to drive it over cobblestones is not easy. We did not use the parisonwheels service, havent heard about it. But, the French are fantastic when it comes to disabilities.

The buses are easier to use for transport since on the metro there are stairs and turnstiles. But we lifted the chair over these and up/down stairs. We also did buses, but found it confusing. If you can figure them out ok, they should work very well for you.

Have fun!

Last night, in the Metro...I saw a guy who was assisting another who was wheelchair bound. He wheeled the chair right on to the escalator and up they went!. My friend who is Parisian had never seen this and I held my breath until they were both safely on the next floor! Having said that, I would avoid the metro and any street with high sitting cobblestone. My 84 year old mother just visited me in Paris and we learned quickly what did not work. Those were the top 2 on my list. We used an American speaking taxi service that took us from point to point. But sometimes we had to make quick exits because of traffic, etc. I would arrange some tours where the driver picks you up and delivers you back...door to door. Versailles has elevators. This worked well. On a Sunday, i would go to places normally too crowded and rushed the rest of the time. I know that part of le Marais is full of cobblestone and narrow, narrow sidewalks...which sometimes vanish and you find yourself having to walk on the street. It's like that.

So....find as much appropriate transportation hopefully with English speakers if you don't speak French. And really, your best tool would be to use google earth. You can look closely at every area and see. You can looks at the sidewalks....access to buildings etc....

The buses are designed for wheelchair use with ramps and space for chairs. You can get an inexpensive bus map booklet at any news stand for plotting routes and the buses themselves have good information alerts for stops and the bus stops show maps of the routes. Most metros are not accessible and I would think it hideously unsafe to take someone up an escalator in a wheelchair.

You may want to read this website regarding wheelchair travel tips: http://www.sagetraveling.com/paris-accessible-travel