Mobility Scooter Accessibility in Paris
Feb 24th, 2012, 09:00 PM
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Mobility Scooter Accessibility in Paris
(Copying my post from a forum on another site. Need all the help I can get! 
Hello,
I am a 30 yr old disabled woman who uses a mobility scooter, and I'm looking for some feedback regarding accessibility of public transportation in and around Paris. My husband and I are planning to be in the city for approximately 2 days in May of this year, on our way through to Alsace. He's been to Paris before, as a kid, and I've travelled throughout the UK and in Barcelona without much difficulty, but I've never been to France.
I've tried to do some Googling on the matter and I've mostly ended up frustrated... some sites claim Paris is surprisingly accessible and should pose no problem, while others make it sound like I may struggle significantly trying to get around. I'm not sure what to believe!
To be clear, I am capable of walking in short spurts (I can cross a room, for example, and don't needs mobility aids inside my home) and I can manage some steps into a building or onto a bus, etc.
However, I can't walk for very *far* without significant back pain, and thus I use the scooter to take 'walks' with others, shop, and wander cities when travelling. I do not own a wheelchair, as we've found the scooter offers me a little more autonomy, overall, and prevents my husband or other companions from exhausting themselves pushing me around - I love very little more than wandering all around town for hours on end. I've been told that just trying to keep up, walking beside me, can wear a person out!
Anyhow... I've heard Paris buses are more accessible than the Metro, but that the buses do not accept scooters! Considering that many of the places we're interested in visiting are scattered around different arrondissements, this could pose an issue.
Does anyone have any personal experience in this area, and/or advice on the best ways to get around? Any tips regarding affordable (and accessible) accommodations in good areas would be much appreciated, as well.
And thank you for reading through my rather long-winded post!
-Meg
Hello,
I am a 30 yr old disabled woman who uses a mobility scooter, and I'm looking for some feedback regarding accessibility of public transportation in and around Paris. My husband and I are planning to be in the city for approximately 2 days in May of this year, on our way through to Alsace. He's been to Paris before, as a kid, and I've travelled throughout the UK and in Barcelona without much difficulty, but I've never been to France.
I've tried to do some Googling on the matter and I've mostly ended up frustrated... some sites claim Paris is surprisingly accessible and should pose no problem, while others make it sound like I may struggle significantly trying to get around. I'm not sure what to believe!
To be clear, I am capable of walking in short spurts (I can cross a room, for example, and don't needs mobility aids inside my home) and I can manage some steps into a building or onto a bus, etc.
However, I can't walk for very *far* without significant back pain, and thus I use the scooter to take 'walks' with others, shop, and wander cities when travelling.
I do not own a wheelchair, as we've found the scooter offers me a little more autonomy, overall, and prevents my husband or other companions from exhausting themselves pushing me around - I love very little more than wandering all around town for hours on end. I've been told that just trying to keep up, walking beside me, can wear a person out! Anyhow... I've heard Paris buses are more accessible than the Metro, but that the buses do not accept scooters! Considering that many of the places we're interested in visiting are scattered around different arrondissements, this could pose an issue.
Does anyone have any personal experience in this area, and/or advice on the best ways to get around? Any tips regarding affordable (and accessible) accommodations in good areas would be much appreciated, as well.
And thank you for reading through my rather long-winded post!
-Meg
Feb 24th, 2012, 09:36 PM
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Hi Meg
I don't have any personal experience with accessibility, but check out www.sagetraveling.com. It is website that specializes in accessibility and can hopefully answer your questions.
I don't have any personal experience with accessibility, but check out www.sagetraveling.com. It is website that specializes in accessibility and can hopefully answer your questions.
Feb 25th, 2012, 04:53 AM
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This older thread should help you:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/s
eeing-paris-on-a-mobility-scooter.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/s
eeing-paris-on-a-mobility-scooter.cfm
Feb 25th, 2012, 04:56 AM
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Sorry, this link should work better: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ty-scooter.cfm
Feb 25th, 2012, 08:19 AM
#5
The bus system should not present a problem. The buses have the automatic ramps that extend to the sidewalk. In any case, all street corners have been adapted for the disabled -- obviously some corners are better than others.
Feb 25th, 2012, 08:43 AM
#7
kerouac: The OP is talking about a motorized scooter -- larger/heavier than a wheelchair.
Essentia: I don't have any personal knowledge about the buses - apparently you found a link that says they aren't accepted.
But you really won't be able to use the Metro much (at all really).
There are large van-sized cabs if the scooter can be lifted easily. Perhaps this is a time when you need to hire a chair so you can use the great bus system.
OR - hopefully someone will post about using a scooter/have some other ideas.
Essentia: I don't have any personal knowledge about the buses - apparently you found a link that says they aren't accepted.
But you really won't be able to use the Metro much (at all really).
There are large van-sized cabs if the scooter can be lifted easily. Perhaps this is a time when you need to hire a chair so you can use the great bus system.
OR - hopefully someone will post about using a scooter/have some other ideas.
Feb 25th, 2012, 08:57 AM
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<<OR - hopefully someone will post about using a scooter/have some other ideas.>>
I did It's in the link provided above. Several people in a 2008 thread said they had no issue using a mobility scooter on Paris buses.
I did
It's in the link provided above. Several people in a 2008 thread said they had no issue using a mobility scooter on Paris buses.
Feb 25th, 2012, 10:59 AM
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Unfortunately, the scooters referred to in these links are much smaller and lighter than mine. Mine does not, I'm afraid, just fold down, and it weighs probably about 80-85 kg. It CAN be taken apart into smaller pieces, but that's not really a viable option for taking buses around town - it takes a few minutes each time and it's not entirely *easy*. My husband has to do this, as I don't have the strength or balance to do it all myself, and he'd be worn out. Taking it apart IS an option now and then, transporting in a taxi between the train station and our hotel, for example, but we wouldn't want to be doing it multiple times a day!
But because of its size and weight, I can't be certain the info in these links will apply in my case.
I was hoping to avoid the need to rent a wheelchair for just the Paris part of our trip, since I know the scooter won't be an issue before and after the Paris stop... and because Paris is so big. Wheeling around such a big city for a few days sounds, frankly, exhausting!
But I'll keep reading through the info you've all provided. Thank you for the feedback. If anyone has any other info, please let me know.
-Meg
But because of its size and weight, I can't be certain the info in these links will apply in my case.
I was hoping to avoid the need to rent a wheelchair for just the Paris part of our trip, since I know the scooter won't be an issue before and after the Paris stop... and because Paris is so big. Wheeling around such a big city for a few days sounds, frankly, exhausting!
But I'll keep reading through the info you've all provided. Thank you for the feedback. If anyone has any other info, please let me know.
-Meg
Feb 25th, 2012, 11:25 AM
#11
perhaps this is something that the paris tourist office can help you with?
they ought to know whether your sort of motor scooter can go on the buses.
Here's the link:
http://en.parisinfo.com/
i had a quick look [search the site for buses for the disabled] but there was nothing specific about what sort of disabled vehicle can be accommodated. However, there are links to other sites and some phone numbers that might be useful.
best of luck for your trip.
they ought to know whether your sort of motor scooter can go on the buses.
Here's the link:
http://en.parisinfo.com/
i had a quick look [search the site for buses for the disabled] but there was nothing specific about what sort of disabled vehicle can be accommodated. However, there are links to other sites and some phone numbers that might be useful.
best of luck for your trip.
Feb 25th, 2012, 11:26 AM
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Don't worry. In the event your scooter is too large for the buses (which is not sure), you still have the RER lines, some métro lines and G7 taxis available. Paris is not that big, I walk across the whole city in 2 hours. I'm sure you'll have a great time with some preparation.
Feb 25th, 2012, 12:44 PM
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Nukesafe, I am coming from Canada. Well... we're planning to fly from Toronto to Glasgow, 'cause the first few stops we're making are in the UK, and then we'd like to take the train to Paris from either Edinburgh or London. A few details aren't worked out yet.
My scooter is checked with luggage, yes, and I've never had difficulty arranging to fly with it. I even flew RyanAir last year with it, from Prestwick, Scotland to Girona, Spain. Provided I inform the airline(s) in advance of my arrival, there's no real issue. It's a medical mobility aid and it falls within most size and safety limits for planes, so they can't really refuse it.
Thank you for the info about the RER lines, guys - I think I was confusing the RER and Metro transit, or rather, assuming they were one and the same. Which one is the subway system? If RER is largely accessible and covers a good amount of the city, a lot of my worries just dissolved!
Also FrenchMystique, your comment about walking the city in 2 hours is comforting! So many sites paint this picture of Paris as so spread out that walking between different arrondissements would be practically impossible! It's good to know someone thinks it's doable. Walking for 2 hours is nothing for us when we're travelling... lol
I will be researching the RER lines and the G7 taxi service, and will contact the tourist board. I've been so up and down in the last 24 hours, between thinking Paris is workable and getting excited, and then thinking Paris isn't a reasonable choice and having to reconsider part of our trip. The reality IS probably somewhere in the middle, and more than likely whatever we end up doing will probably be lovely, but the more info I have, the better prepared I feel for whatever comes up.
Thanks again, everyone!
-Meg
My scooter is checked with luggage, yes, and I've never had difficulty arranging to fly with it. I even flew RyanAir last year with it, from Prestwick, Scotland to Girona, Spain. Provided I inform the airline(s) in advance of my arrival, there's no real issue. It's a medical mobility aid and it falls within most size and safety limits for planes, so they can't really refuse it.
Thank you for the info about the RER lines, guys - I think I was confusing the RER and Metro transit, or rather, assuming they were one and the same. Which one is the subway system?
If RER is largely accessible and covers a good amount of the city, a lot of my worries just dissolved!Also FrenchMystique, your comment about walking the city in 2 hours is comforting! So many sites paint this picture of Paris as so spread out that walking between different arrondissements would be practically impossible!
It's good to know someone thinks it's doable. Walking for 2 hours is nothing for us when we're travelling... lolI will be researching the RER lines and the G7 taxi service, and will contact the tourist board. I've been so up and down in the last 24 hours, between thinking Paris is workable and getting excited, and then thinking Paris isn't a reasonable choice and having to reconsider part of our trip. The reality IS probably somewhere in the middle, and more than likely whatever we end up doing will probably be lovely, but the more info I have, the better prepared I feel for whatever comes up.
Thanks again, everyone!
-Meg
Feb 25th, 2012, 01:12 PM
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Essentia, I clicked on your name and see you are a new poster. Maybe a year ago I read a trip report from someone with similar concerns. They went from Barcelona to Provence to Rome (?) I think. It was amazing. I wish I could find it. Not that it would help you in Paris. Best of luck on your trip. I feel sure you will be able to work it out.
Feb 25th, 2012, 01:29 PM
#17
Essentia, here's a link to the map of the metro, though in fact the word "metro" really applies only to the main underground system, only a small part of which appears to be wheelchair friendly.
http://parisbytrain.com/files/2008/06/metro.pdf
the RER - which is a sort of cross between the metro and the train system, and goes a lot further out of the city - does purport to be accessible, according to that tourist board site, with lifts at all stations. [it might be as well to check the ones you think you are likely to use]. there are fewer stops than on the metro, but they are probably enough for your needs, eg RER C goes from St. Michel just opposite Notre Dame in the left bank, to Musee D'orsay, Less Invalides, Tour Eiffel, and eventually, Versailles.
good luck!
http://parisbytrain.com/files/2008/06/metro.pdf
the RER - which is a sort of cross between the metro and the train system, and goes a lot further out of the city - does purport to be accessible, according to that tourist board site, with lifts at all stations. [it might be as well to check the ones you think you are likely to use]. there are fewer stops than on the metro, but they are probably enough for your needs, eg RER C goes from St. Michel just opposite Notre Dame in the left bank, to Musee D'orsay, Less Invalides, Tour Eiffel, and eventually, Versailles.
good luck!
Feb 25th, 2012, 01:37 PM
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Not all RER stations have lifts unfortunately but enough to get around to a different part of town and walk back to the hotel along many different sites. All of métro line 14 is accessible.
It might be easier to combine with a couple of taxi trips to the least accessible attractions and walk/scoot back. If you click on a station and the info symbol you can see if it has working lifts or not: http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk
But the best is to check the map on the infomobi website.
It might be easier to combine with a couple of taxi trips to the least accessible attractions and walk/scoot back. If you click on a station and the info symbol you can see if it has working lifts or not: http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk
But the best is to check the map on the infomobi website.
Feb 25th, 2012, 03:52 PM
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As far as getting an idea of distances, if you go to Google Maps you can see how far apart things are. Click "Directions" enter the starting and ending points and click on the pedestrian symbol. It will show you a route with the both distance and walking times. The walking times are always optimistic, as you will surely want to stop and see all the wonders you will pass.
