Bus question for Paris

Most of the bus stops have a shelter which shows the numbers of the bus routes it serves. Inside the shelter is usually a map of the route. The large Metro maps (available in the Metro stations) also show bus routes. Sometimes it is possible to buy a book showing all bus routes. A lot of the stops have a device which tells riders when the next bus will arrive. Read the front of the bus to see if it is the one you want. There are small benches in the bus shelters where you can sit while waiting. In a busy area there may be several bus stops. Not all buses stop at every shelter. If you are in the same neighborhood for a while you'll get used to finding your desired bus.

There will be a little bus route map for each bus line that stops at that stop. It will be posted. If you want a bus map, here is a link: http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/cartebus.php

I don't have a paper Paris bus map (and my netbook is too small to see the online one clearly) so I can't answer your question, but I just want to emphasize the following: if your wife cannot take stairs at all, you cannot take the Metro AT ALL. Most of the stations have lots of stairs, no elevators, and no escalators. And if there is an escalator, it may be broken, and you'd be stuck. Plan on buses, cabs, and walking - and allow extra time, since the Metro doesn't get stuck in traffic and surface transit does. Here are links to bus maps from the official site of the Paris transit company, RATP (they have question marks in the URLs, so I can't make them hotlinks): http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=bus_paris&fm=gif http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=bus_paris_geo&fm=gif When you get there, you can get full size bus maps from tourist offices.

I understand about the postings by the bus stops. I am plugging in different locations on the Paris by Train site. They give a general direction of walk to bus 89....just wondering if 89 stops on the street near me or if it's on another main road close by. I can't read the route maps on the website....a little to small for these aged eyes. There is a bus stop on the nearest corner, but I can't figure out the route. Was just trying to do some advance planning on getting around Paris while avoiding the Metro.

My Rough Guide Paris map (now unfortunately out of print) shows that Bus #89 stops on Vaugirard near Pasteur and goes east (NE) to Blvd. du Montparnesse, where it turns SE to Rue de Rennes and then goes back NE. It looks like Bus #39 follows the same route. Both of these buses return on Rue de Sevres rather than Vaugirard (one-way streets). Good luck!

Janet and everone else...thanks for your help. Now I have an idea of what bus I am looking for.

Finishing my thought....when I run route requests on the Paris by Train site, 89 and 39 are the ones that pop up....just wanted some idea of how far from the apartment wifey will have to walk.
Again, thanks for all your help!

On ratp.fr, you can get a map of any bus route showing all its stops. Go to Horaires, then Bus, and put in the bus number.

Sorry. I misspoke. What you want is Plans des lignes, then Bus (Horaires are the schedules).

Not what you asked but I have a few faves right near the Pasteur metro stop - Cafe Pasteur has reasonable prices and solid food, and is a nice scene outside on a warm evening. Le Breguet is a fantastic neighborhood bar with VERY fair prices, not a tourist in sight. It's across from a supermarket which is also handy. And best of all, you're just a few minutes from Les Cabanes de Huitres (spelling?) the 'Oyster shack". It's my favorite restaurant in Paris. House made foie gras and very fresh oysters from the owner's farm in Bordeaux, amazingly reasonable prices. Just sharin' the love. :)

Sarah, thanks very much for the info. I have never been in this area of Paris before and am a little "anxious" in terms of getting around. I'm a walker. But wifey can't. Restaurants close by are a big help. Luckily I am going with two other people who are fairly mobile and we are going to a couple of places wifey is not interested in visiting. I will try to check out your recommendations.