mileagemaven

Will be in Paris Dec. 3-9. My husband likes to sit/eat/people-watch, but can't walk much. Any ideas on how to arrange each day with his physical problem in mind? Thought we'd stick to only one neighborhood on each of the 5 days.This is a spur-of-the-moment trip, so I'd appreciate any planning help. Do we have to plan on taking cabs? We'll be staying by the Eiffel Tower. Thanks for your help!

janeg

I hope you get some good advice. I had same problem 2 years ago. It was hard.

LTR

It depends on how much walking he can do. The metro stairs in some areas are several flights and others just one and a short corridor.

I suggest the double decker bus. We had a wonderful time riding it and saw so many different neighborhoods and sights. I have the same problem traveling with my DH and I know what a problem it can be.

LoveItaly

Doesn't Paris have the busses, think they are called "On and Off" or something. Sorry can't remember the correct name of them but I have heard of them. You ride on the buses, get off where you wish and then get on another one when you are ready to do so..you get a good overlook of Paris etc. It would seem that someone that could not walk easily might enjoy that..wish I had the complete information but no doubt someone else here on Fodors will.

I would think that using taxi's would be a good investment for someone that cannot walk a lot.

I do hope you get this worked out mileagemaven, best wishes to you both.

LTR

LoveItaly, that's what they are called! I couldn't remember the name. On and off buses. There are three different loops on the double decker bus. You can buy a 2 day pass and you get a headset with it that narrates what you are seeing. We went around the same loop a couple times just because we enjoyed being able to see things without walking so much.

LoveItaly

Hi LTR, well between the two of us we got it figured out, LOL. I didn't think the exact name was "On and Off"..just thought that was the description.

Mileagemaven, I would think these busses would be a good solution for you and your husband, especially from what LTR has said.

Also, if your husband enjoy cafes, would he enjoy sitting in a cafe relaxing while you explored something nearby. A lot of couples do that, one wants to relax and the other one wants to go look at something their spouse is not interested in. Just a thought.

Best wishes to you both, have a wonderful time, and do let us know how your visit to Paris was when you return home.

isabela

Hi,
definitely get the 2-day pass (and keep renewing it if you wish) for the bus.
There are two bus hop-on-off companies, so you want to make sure you get this one since it's the best bang for your dollar and has the most extensive route.
It's called L'Open Tour Bus, and I posted a link to their website so you can see the colour of it. It's a green-orange double-decker.
http://www.paris-opentour.com/

It was wonderful using it, even though we are quite fit but wanted to avoid the hassle of taxis and metro and get to see the city instead of going underground between stops.
Try to see the Rodin House and gardens if you can. It's full of rose gardens and so pretty in the summer, but I don't think you'd be dissapointed in the winter either since all the wonderful statues sprinkle the gardens. I think it would be magical to see the Thinker and Prisoners of Calais dusted with a bit of snow.

Try to do all 3 routes on the hop-on-off bus, if only to see the city that way. Be warned, though - the stop in Montmartre is at the very bottom of the hill and you still have quite an incline climb to get up to Sacre Coeur.

isabela

oh, another thing. There is a stop close to your Eiffel Tower location and you can just take it from there. My partner and I stayed near Notre Dame and it was fantastic getting right on the bus in the morning and starting our day with a bit of a tour before deciding where we'd jump off.

They're quite regular as far as being on time.

isabela

the only problem you'll have is the route ends at 7PM sharp - WHEREVER you may be. We had the experience of having the bus stop somewhere on Champs Elysees and that was it - get out, au revoir. So if you want to explore in the evenings, take a cab. Just make sure you get to the marked taxi stops, or you'll be waiting forever.
Have a great time.

mileagemaven

You guys are terrific! Thanks! Actually, I found the on-off idea later that day and reserved, but it's so great to hear that it's a good choice! Ditto for the Rodin garden, which I discovered was the only thing open on Sunday, the day we arrive, and which sounded fantastic. Re. his having coffee while I run around--great minds think alike! That's one way I talked him into going! Thanks so much!
Now for more help: Inexpensive yet yummy places to eat near Rodin and/or Eifel Tower?

knoxvillecouple

I agree with other posters about the on-and-off buses, as well as the Seine River cruises (great for relaxing and "seeing" much of Paris at the same time). I'd also endorse using taxis when you feel a need to. In addition to taking a taxi to CDG, we took taxis twice inside the city - once from the Left Bank after dark when the Tuileries was closed and we were too tired to walk all the way around the Louvre to our hotel on Rue de Rivoli, and once from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. The cost was not bad at all (less than 5 Euros each time) and seemed like a godsend when your legs are weary and you're running out of time.

KC