Europe/Paris for the disabled

Based on the itinerary you listed in your other post, I'm going to question why you want to rent a car. Brugge and Amsterdam are two cities where a car is more of a hassle than a benefit, even considering a disability. Even if you had access to handicapped parking spaces, parking in general in these cities is extremely limited. The rail stations in both cities have elevators, and the the busses in Flanders (of which Brugge is a part) and the trams in Amsterdam are wheelchair accessible. With a car, you would have to drop your mother off at a site of interest, drive around some winding one way streets until you found a parking space, then walk back and forth between the site and the car.

Lisa, I think for the most part you and your mother could get around Paris on the buses and not use the metro at all. Get yourself a good bus map and plan your outings accordingly.

I have seen previously on this Helpline where some people have claimed to have done what you want to do. I know that in the UK it may have happened but it is not legal. To park in disabled bays or on yellow lines you must have a permit issued within the EU. As I said, it may happen that some folks shut their eyes but would you want to gamble on that? Theoretically in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany that should be the case too, not allowing myself to be drawn into cultural stereotypes. If 't'were I, I'd have a look at a good European oriented disabled group. ....... But, as I said to your earlier post, and others said above, please think good and hard about trying to drive and park in Amsterdam or Brugge. Have you thought about the drive out of Paris? One other thing that might be difficult for you mother is cobblestones. The ones in Paris, remember, are sometimes a foot across and really high. Plenty of cobblestones in Brugge, too. The bit about unlimited free parking is certainly not universally true in the UK, can't speak for Europe. It really does vary town to town, and borough by borough in London. Check the rules carefully.

When we took our Mother-in-law, who was in the same shape as your mom, to Europe, we based the entire trip around where she would actually be able to get around, and where we could get around entirely by car. Amsterdam would not have been an option. I don't know how she would have gotten around Bruges--I remember too many pedestrian only streets. There is probably a way to do Paris with taxis and buses, but I don't think the parking situation will allow a car, and there is no way my MIL could have done the metro. We did Germany and Austria, btw. Rural areas were very easy--we could drive right up to a b and b, stay on the ground floor, sightsee by car and horse drawn carriage, etc. We did manage cities like Munich just fine. We found a hotel with a parking lot, then took taxis. Taxis are way better than private cars--it's door to door service, which you will not have with your own car.

Re Disabled parking: There was a lengthy discussion about six weeks ago on this site. One poster with a US disabled sticker had major problems and fines because they did not have the appropriate EU/country disabled pass. You need to investiagte each country you intend to drive in. Dont assume that the USA pass will be accepted

Thank you so much for the replies. We don't really plan to drive in Paris, mostly use the metro and buses (the HoHo sounds like a decent option). She has her heart set on Amstercam and either Brugge or Ghent, so even if it is difficult, she is determined to do it. She will be bringing her little cane that folds out into a seat, so if she needs to rest, she will be good. I am glad to know that things get better with parking outside the major cities. My mother will just have to make do. This is probably going to be her last major trip because of her mobility issues, so I am hoping that it goes well and she does not hurt too much. I do wonder why Rick Steve's states on the page regardign disabilites that parking is allowed over there. I had heard also that there are major issues with using a US placarad in the EU and so I was checking here to see if anyone else had an update. I emailed the EU on their webiste, but have yet to hear back, so I will let everyone know when I do hear back and if there are any changes with their new rules for 2011.

If you and she would like to go to Ghent, the Hotel Harmony might well suit. Have a look at http://www.hotel-harmony.be/eng/page/hotel for an overview. Family run, you will feel as if you have landed in paradise. Central, and many fewer cobblestones. Parking underneath is a bit tight but somebody is always ready to help. Lovely rooms, and a breakfast to die for. Elevators in both buildings. We have stayed there several times. A room on the front may be a touch noisier if the road is wet but overlooks the canal and the view of the city at night. I'd recommend it.

You may have already done this, but I just googled Paris Disabled Access and lots of great website came up. Someone recommended a really good one on the Helpline about 6 mos ago but I can't find it now. Maybe someone that is better at searching the archives than I can find it. I agree that taking the bus in Paris will be much better than the Metro.

The Paris metro is not friendly at all to disabled persons. To many steps to climb up or down and getting on the metro train itself is no easy chore especially at rush hour. Then you have to factor in the transfers you need to get from point A to B. I would learn the bus system along with a few taxi's rides as needed.

If you choose Ghent instead of Brugge (or in addition to it), the same lack of parking and pedestrian-only situation exists, and I don't think the main train station has a big parking lot like Brugge. But, the tram lines are also very accessible for people with mobility issues and they'll take you just about anywhere you need to go.

Small correction to Tom: not all of the trams in Ghent are low-floor. There are still some traditional high-floor trams in Ghent that have two or three quite steep steps to enter the vehicle from the street, so how accessible they will be depends on how good your mother is at making big steps.

http://parisbytrain.com/map-paris-wheelchair-reduced-mobility-accessibility-metro-rer-bus-tram/ I can only vouch for Line 14, but in general I've found this website to be very trustworthy AND helpful. Get a map of Paris that shows taxi stands; they are an inexpensive luxury.

I use an electric scooter and have traveled all over Paris and Amsterdam. Forget the Metro in Paris and the Tram in Amsterdam. Neither are wheelchair friendly. We walk or take the bus everywhere we go in Paris and just walked in Amsterdam. Great way to see the city, smell the city, window shop, stop at a brasserie for coffee when tired, etc. We have walked from our rented apt. in the 9th to the 14th several times. Just have a good map so you do not get to lost. You can buy a Paris map that has pages by districts. Ebay, half.com, has them or you can buy them at newspaper stands when you arrive in Paris.
Email me and I can send you a wonderful bus map by a departed poster that knew Paris like the back of his hand.

Try to stay in Paris near a taxi stand, otherwise it might be a walk to get a taxi. Contact where you are staying to see if they can order a cab as needed. Do take the hop on and off bus tour to get the flavor of the city. We picked up the bus on the square across from Notre Dame on our last trip. You can just stay on for the whole trip. FYI - a lot of the older restaurants have the "toilets" either in the basement or up the steps. Relax in side walk cafe when tired. Don't be afraid to go your own way for a few hours and meet up for lunch or dinner.

Lisa, this isn't really one of your stated questions, but while you're in Bruges (IF you choose it over Ghent) be sure to walk a couple of blocks out of the center of The Tourist Zone; the town is practically deserted! Seriously, you can walk down the middle of the street without fear. You can amble along and gawk at the achitecture, canals, etc., without getting run over (by cars OR tourists LOL). Of course, you have to spend some time in The Tourist Zone, but part of the reason of going to Bruges is to see the town. Also, the whole Begijnhof/Minnewater area is gorgeous, peaceful, and full of park benches. It's a great place for a long rest, a picnic, and just people-watching. Bruges is full of peaceful parks - that aren't full of people. Enjoy your trip together!