Accessible Travel In Paris

If you're coming to Paris and have special needs, such as access for a wheelchair, here's a list of resources that will help you plan your trip. Please note that I haven't used many of these services, especially the tour outfits, so ask as many questions of them in advance as you need to get the most information about the services they offer before you sign on.

Paris is a very old city and although new construction includes accessibility for wheelchairs, the older buildings and narrow sidewalks aren't always easy to navigate. Below I've put together this list of websites and services that I hope will help. If you have limited time and want to make the most of your trip, hiring a guide or at least a van for the day may allow you to see and do more, and the additional expense might be mitigated by the convenience.

A few things to remember:

In many instances, if there is an elevator, it may not be functional. Give yourself plenty of extra time when moving about Paris.

All stops on the métro line 14 are accessible. However in my experience, the elevators may not be operable, forcing you to go to another station. None of the other métro lines are accessible and there are a number of stairs in the underground stations to contend with.

Most of the bus lines listed below are accessible, although every bus may not have a lift. But the buses do run frequently in Paris and are a great way to get around.

Because Paris is old, many of the buildings aren't easily accessible, which is changing as buildings are restored. Still, neighborhoods like the Marais are tight and may pose a challenge. Don't be discouraged: Parisians are reserved but are quite helpful when called into duty. And people who are frail, elderly, or have special needs, are usually treated with extra respect.

Spaces in restaurants and shops may be tighter than what you're used to, but bear in mind that if you go during busy hours, you may not be as comfortable as if you dine at other times than the crush. When you make a reservation, let them know in advance. And in the summer, you may wish to dine en terrasse (outside), which is more spacious.

For foodies, an excellent area to explore is the Place de la Madeleine which is flat and the sidewalks are wide. There you'll find fine foods shops clustered around the place like Fauchon, Hédiard, Ladurée,, Maille, and La Maison du Chocolat easy to explore. Most of the shops have access and the nearby Lavinia wine store has an elevator and a rest room.

Some of the sites listed below are in French. You can get a reasonable translation of websites at Babelfish.

Sites For Accessible Travel In Paris

Access Plus

This SNCF official service will assist people in wheelchairs, and you'll be met at the train station by a representative who will assist you with all your arrangements. (English Info.) Their new website has more information as well.

Disneyland Access Guide
Guide to getting around the Magic Kingdom, just outside of Paris.

J'accede
List of accessible restaurants, sporting facilities, attractions, and museums across France.

"Tourisme & Handicap" in Paris
Information from Paris Tourism Office including downloadable list of accessible hotels and ratings of Paris museums for wheelchair access.

Château de Versailles
Offers special tours and golf cart rentals. Site has excellent map of Versailles.

G7 Taxi
Call in advance to arrange wheelchair access taxi.

Ptitcar
Offers transport for people in wheelchairs.

French Links Tours
Accessible tours of Paris.

Paris On Wheels
Accessible tours of Paris.

Access Tourism
Accessible tours of Paris.

Access Project Paris
Lots of tips about traveling to and from, and within Paris

Rick Steve's Easy Access Europe Guide
The travel guru's guide to European accessible travel.

Airhop
Provides ramps and vans. (In French)

Paris Public Transit
Official site for RATP, Paris Public Transit. (In French)

Infomobi
Comprehensive list of Paris bus lines that are accessible. (In French)

Mobile en Ville
Tips for getting around Paris. (In French)

Association des Paralysés de France
Association for those paralyzed. (In French)

More Suggestions and Paris Travel Tips

My Paris Travel Tips

Some favorite Paris Dining & Travel Guides

Recommended Travel Gear

My Paris page

6 Comments

By materfamilias on February 3, 2008 10:44 AM

this is such a thoughtful and useful post. I don't have any accessibility challenges at the moment, but travel must pose so many more difficulties than usual for those who do.

By Sandra on February 3, 2008 11:46 AM

We were in Paris about a year ago, visiting David. Mom had sprained her ankle on an earlier trip that we took her on to Washington DC a month before going to Paris and had to use wheelchairs in the US. Then we got to Paris. She could walk a limited amount (she had just turned 83), but for museums, wheelchairs were the way to go.

In the Louvre, we took the lift down in the pyramid and went to the information booth and inquired there. No problem, just completed a minor form and handed over her passport (which made her a bit nervous) and they got the chair for her. Getting around the Louvre was fairly easy and elevators were fairly easy to find. We returned the chair to the booth and got the passport back.

But getting out of the museum was a bit challenging and tiring as there is a healthy walk to exits. However, the next day we went to the Musee D'Orsay. Not such an easy place to navigate with a wheelchair and elevators were small and hard to find. I would not recommend that museum to anyone with a wheelchair. She found getting around Paris with her cane okay and we took taxis most times as it made the most sense.

Air France was very gracious and helpful. They made her stay put and got the wheelchair and they took her through CDG Airport with amazing speed, especially security, we literally breezed through. They also took us to the plane in a specially equipped truck ( like a catering truck) and she could just walk from this right onto the plane. They had had a problem with a previous passenger and they weren't going to be in any embarassing or potential legal positions. After seeing how they handled that, Air France is spectacular for someone needing this kind of assistance. They should be advised in advance though.

By Meridith on February 4, 2008 3:08 PM

David--My partner and I visited Paris in October 2007 and had a hard time travelling throughout the city due to accessibility issues(mine). This
post is most helpful! We have debated whether or not we would visit Paris again,but this list gives me hope.(Besides the fact that Paris is one of MY favorite places on the planet)
On another note, we looked at your posts before we went and tried many of your recommendations.Wow! You totally rock!
After Paris we went to Barcelona and went to Cacao
Sampaka which is one of your links. Amazing!Wonderful!Delicioso!!
Thanks for your blog, your knowledge and your love of all things wonderful!

By David on February 5, 2008 3:42 PM

Yes, getting around Paris can be a challenge. But I think it's also a good reminder that no matter what your abilities are, it's fine to whittle away the afternoon sitting in a cafe and not trying to run around and see all that much.

Perhaps it's a good idea to hire a qualified driver and/or guide for one day to tick off all the sights. Then spend the other days leisurely seeing Paris.

Some other good things to do:

The Champs-Elysées, which is open on Sundays.

An outdoor market: there's many every day in various neighborhoods in Paris. List in English here.

The Galeries Lafayette Department Store, which includes their interesting Gourmet Lafayette food basement, and the Grand Épicerie at the Bon Marché.

By Sue on February 6, 2008 12:55 AM

Thanks for the wonderful post. You never know when you might need that information. Most people never even think of those issues.

I love your blog, your writing, your recipes...the whole package. I just did a sidebar review of it on my blog, which will be up for a couple of days.

By charlotte s on February 7, 2008 6:20 PM

what a thoughtful post! thank you.
my brother is in a wheelchair, and he spent a year in paris a few years ago, and i know he had a difficult time getting around. this post is so helpful, i wish i would have seen it then, I'm sure he would have really appreciated it. now he's in LA- probably one of the most accessible places on the planet... i'm sure this post will help many people get the most out of their visit to paris :)