Getting a wheelchair in Paris
 

Just hurt my ankle pretty badly, but I'm still determined to fly to Lyon and go on to Paris next week. If I still can't walk when we get to Paris, I thought I'd try to rent a wheelchair, but how would I go about it? Any ideas?

Contact y our hotel. They can get yo information about local surgical supply houses and arrange for a wheelchair at the hotel. BUT - be sure you find one that is accessible - many have a couple of step at the entrance that would make life difficult.

Many pharmacies can arrange for a wheelchair.

I thought an airline would take a wheelchair for
you at no charge.

Might be less expense and less hassle than getting one there plus you'd have it for the long walks and waits at departure and arrival airports...

I think if you are alone the wheelchair will prove quite challenging. I hope you have a travel partner if your ankle doesn't heal.

You probably won't be able to take any of the wheelchairs from the airport with you out into the city. But just as StCirq said, many pharmacies in France can arrange for a wheelchair to be delivered to you - you can get your concierge to help you with this if you don't arrange it ahead of time.

Are you already in Europe? If not, then honestly I think the easiest thing to do would be to rent one before you go and take it with you. Its very easy to travel by plane with wheelchairs these days - they'll put a tag on it and stowe it away (no charge, of course), then bring it to the gate for you when you arrive. They also fit very easy into taxis or whatever type of transportation you'll be taking once there. If during your trip you decide you don't need it anymore then you can just leave it in your hotel and easily bring it back with you at the end of your stay. It might avoid a lot of hassle in trying to get one right when you need it - but it really depends on how badly/quickly you need the chair.

I found Paris to be very reasonably wheelchair accessible. I've been a few times and I am permanently in a wheelchair. You could always use crutches too - though that might get uncomfortable after a while. Don't worry, you'll still have a fabulous time!