Paris/ Handicapped Travel

If you're leaving soon this may be too late, but Rick used to have a book called Accessible Europe, with a large chapter on Paris. It's out of print, but you should be able to get a used copy. I also want to emphasize the part about bathrooms not being accessible, even when the main part of the restaurant or cafe is. This is VERY common.

Linda, Paris mass transit is very handicap unfriendly. Do not use the Metro (subway) it is all stairs with no escalators or elevators. We rode the buses a few times and they did not seem handicap friendly. I had two sisters-in-law in wheelchairs so I look out for those sort of things. Also, the hotels and restaurants are not very handicap friendly. Contact the hotel before you book your room to confirm that they are at least somewhat handicap friendly. The sidewalks are wide and have wheelchair ramps at the curb. Some museums are handicap friendly but I don't remember which ones have elevators etc. Hope this helps.

Linda is person in a wheelchair or uses a walker or just slow moving with a cane? I admit I would find Paris challenging with a person in a wheelchair,, some curbs are not sloped yet, the sidewalks in some areas are very narrow( there are however some areas with wide sidewalks) and handicapped washrooms are going to be VERY hard to find.. Now if person is just slow but can still walk it will be relatively easier.. take the buses , metro is not good , long passageways and stairs.
In big museums have them save their strength and rent a wheelchair there ( lo cost or free in many ) .. they may protest but Orsay and Louvre are so large and they really will get tired out . While stopping in cafes take note , many have washrooms either up or down steep sometimes even winding stairs.. check it out if that will be an issue.

Two thoughts in mind, 1)if this person wants to see Arc de Triomphe, it has an elevator, then, if that individual wants it bad enough, I " think" there are 17 more steps to climb to be on top and get the view of Champs E., the big boulevard. 2) this may be the most important: go to the top of this page, in right hand corner is "search" box, eliminate the word search and put something like "Paris handicapped" and see what others have stated in past, this topic has been discussed before. Also, at Versailles, I believe they provide wheel chairs. In addition, somewhere in this (Rick Steves.com web site) is an organization that provides some assistance. I'll see if I can find it.

Found it, not sure if it will help, on this web site go to Favorite Links, scroll down to: Accessible Travel, I believe there are two helpful links! Good Luck!