I have a friend who is elderly, has bad feet, is overweight, can use the metro and bus system, but has difficulty walking alot. She is wanting to find a way to visit her cousin easily,who lives in the 17th arrondisement in Paris. The street is Rue de Dobropol off of Gouvion St/or Boulevard Pershing north of Palais de Congres. She doesn't know how to use the bus system to get to this cousin's house. We think the metro closest to her is Porte Maillot, and wonder if anyone can help us determine what bus might take her closer to her cousin's house from that metro station. I have looked at maps of the bus system and it appears a line called PC3 goes along Gouvion St. as possibly does PC1. I thought the bus lines were numbered, and don't recognize that naming system. (I used metro and bus 69 exclusively last time I was in Paris). I have recommended that she not stay in the 17th as she wants to do other sightseeing things such as the Louve and Rodin's museum, but that she find the easiest route to visit her cousin (she plans to go daily in the afternoon for 3-4 days while there and sighsee a little in the mornings) I recommended that she get a hotel well located for the museum and particularly well suited for the metro. She is traveling with a friend who will probably do other things while she is visiting her cousin.
Any suggestions from you Parisians out there, or others who know that area?
Thanks so much in advance for any and all advice.

What does the cousin recommend? If they knew about all the problems facing this person (elderly, bad feet, overweight but difficulty walking) they may have options better suited for someone in her condiion. Maybe they will even pick her up.

Cousin hasn't been particularly helpful as she speaks Greek. She is going to try calling her again when an interpreter is there, but in the meanwhile, I'm trying to help her find a place to stay. Do you know anything about the bus lines? This is the information I'm looking for. Thanks.

PC lines (Petite Ceinture = small belt) are going around Paris running the external boulevards. I confirm that the best way would be to take the Metro to Porte Maillot and take the bus for 1 or 2 stops

You can go to the ratp.fr site and find the bus lines she can use. Remember that if it requires a change of buses she will need a new ticket (unless using the Carte Orange). She should be able to use the bus system and avoid the long stairs or correspondances of the Metro.

I think line PC1 may be the best. There is a stop at Porte de Villiers which is about one block from Dubropol. I think PC3 stops there also but has more limited stops for getting on. You can get bus line maps on www.ratp.fr for both.

I really think this is a terrible idea, however, and would suggest you really try to get her to take a taxi. Porte Maillot area is very large and complicated and dangerous, actually, there is a lot of traffic around there. It will be a challenge for her just to find the correct bus stop upon getting off at that metro stop, and there will be a lot of walking just within the station and outside it. Also, the PC3 stop is already almost a block away from the metro exit, I think (I may be remembering the other line, so verify on the RATP maps), and that is already half or more of the way to Dobropol. I just think not much walking is going to be saved by taking a bus to get to that destination.

Thanks alot for the responses, especially the description of pc (petite ceinture). That helps alot. Perhaps if she did stay at a hotel in the area and taxi'd.. might might be the best solution. You're information has been very helpful. I will post an inquiry about hotels in the area unless someone who reads this has a suggestion. I will continue to check this thread. Thanks SO much for your feedback. (the ratp.fr site didn't explain the PC3 or PC1 lines.. it didn't have a legend in the English version) and it's kind of hard to superimpose the route on the streets you are trying to locate. That's why I came to you fodorites, to see if someone could explain it further. And of course, you did and thanks again!!