Paris buses/limited mobility

I share your concern. I understand that the last step on the buses is about level with the curb assuming the bus stops near the curb and not out I the middle of the street like they sometimes do in Seattle. The drivers probably have pretty much the same attitude as ours do, but you if you greet him/her with "bonjour" upon boarding it should help, and is expected. Also, be sure to always board through the front door and get off through the back door.

If I remember correctly, the step down is a lot lower than buses here in San Francisco. There were a lot of moms with babies in strollers that got on and off and it was easy for them (with kid in stroller). A lot of people with mobility issues use the bus in Paris. The bus drivers in Paris are much nicer than the ones in SF. If you Google "Bus Paris Handicap" you will find lots of websites with helpful info.

All the buses in central Paris are low-floor, circa 12 inches off the ground and lower if they get up to the kerb. Most of them also have kneeling ability if that's causing you problems.

I was using a cane when I was last in Paris and the "kneeling" buses made using them easy for me. Also Parisians are very good about giving up their seats on the buses to the elderly or handicapped, so your cane will be your friend.

My wife has MS and has limited use of her left leg.....that being said, we rode buses last year in Paris and she did not have a problem. She carries a cane and that seemed to be a visual signal for everyone to slow down, be a little more helpful, and offer assistance. Some of the metro stops have elevators, but I don't know if the paris with mobilities site will be able to show those stops. We also took a cab...train station to apartment, apartment to train station. Dealing with luggage, a disability, and a bus or metro were more than we could handle!

Even if a Metro stop has an elevator or escalator, half the time they're not working. Buses are much better than the Metro for anyone with stairs, knee or walking issues.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful information.

One final quick warning is that, due to the density and popularity of the Metro, bus services in Paris are a bit sparser in the evening and on Sundays than in many world cities. Some routes do not run at all on Sunday.