Our family has a trip planned to Paris,and due to a severe injury, my wife is confined to a wheel chair. As a practical matter, is this a trip we can take? Are museums, monuments, the Eiffel Tower, etc, accessible to a person who needs a wheel chair at all times? Would we be able take the Metro, or would it be best to take taxis?
What are the streets and sidewalks like? I remember that one of the joys of Paris was simply walking through it-is this practical in a wheel chair?
The only trip out of Paris was to be Versailles via RER. Is this possible?
What, if any, type of documentation is required to establish the person%26#39;s physical disability, if need be?
Any other advice is appreciated. We%26#39;re still in a bit of a shock, and direct advice about accessibility-even if we should travel at all-is appreciated.
We haven%26#39;t been to Paris in twenty years, so don%26#39;t know the city. If it is best we postpone, you opinion to that is appreciated also. We would very much like to go, but need to have a realistic view of what we would facing.
Thanks to all for all your kind advice.
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Hi
Here are some previous threads dealing with the question, maybe you will find them useful:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k67385…
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k88651…
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k82358…
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k55025…
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Thanks for the information.
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The threads that Gitte sent you are excellent. Additionally, you should keep in mind that the shower you will need in your hotel does not have a steep step. You need a roll-in shower, I would assume if your wife is confined to a wheel chair.
In many, many restaurants the rest rooms are not accessible even when the dining room is. Restrooms seem to be either up or down stairs and may not have access for a wheel chair. So you may be restricted in where you can eat.
Our definition of what are handicapped accessible accomodations are not universally followed or found in Paris.
I have no idea what hotel you are staying in but you will need to verify what they have. I believe that vacationsinparis.com shows at least one apartment with an appropriate shower set up and in a building with an elevator. I will check later and post if this is not correct.
I use a cane and found the buses fine but a wheel chair presents somewhat different challenges.
Good luck. Hope your wife recovers totally and soon.
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Hi,
Just double checked and site for apratments with shower and elevator is www.parisvacationapartments.com. There are several apartments but this one is the two bedroom of the Palais Royal on the 1st floor. Some of the others may also have showers. You will need to look. The Palais Royal location is a good one. There are a number of small restaurants right there so that there would be easy acess to the apartment for facilities. Also depending on when you are going, the apartments are airconditioned. If we go with family rather than a hotel, I would be quite serious about these.
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I can help you somewhat. I went to Paris last year and used a wheelchair because I walk real slow. From what I remember not all curbs have cuts so several times I just used the street. Since I can get up there where several times I had to get up out of the chair .
Most of the Muesems have wheelchairs on hand so I would take a cab to the place and just use theirs. As to proof I was never asked and never had a problem as the disability was obivous. Another thing, you get to avoid the lines as well as the disabelled person and the caregiver get in free when there is a charge. I know at the Louve they had a map to show where the lifts are and where they have these little wheelchair lifts so you can get to the various sights.
I agree with the other poster that their definition of accesabile is different than ours however, the French go out of their way to help you to make up for any thing where you need help because they aren%26#39;t up to standards.
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Thanks to all for the great information and insight.
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