Help with Paris metro accessibility please
 

Here I am again "moving in 2013". I'm off to Paris travelling solo. I have some mobility issues which mean I have a problem walking long distances and negotiating stairs. I manage better going up stairs than down. I've managed to research accessibility to museums etc and through Infomobi have established that St Michel is very accessible (even for wheelchair people, which I'm not) which is great news for those who need such access. I've also researched the bus system which I think I will be favouring over the metro,

BUT

Infomobi have been unable to tell me whether the following stations have elevators or escaltors or only stairs - I suspect only stairs. Is someone able to tell me about the accessibility at these stations please? They may be an option for me if buses are too crowded.

St-Sulpice
St-Germain des-Prés
Mabillon
Odéon
Luxembourg
La Muette

Thanks.
PS I've got my breakfast requirements sorted out!

The ADA doesn't exist in Paris, or in most of Europe.

Here are a couple of websites to get you going.

http://goparis.about.com/od/gettinga..._accesible.htm

http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-map/di...ss-transports/

http://www.sagetraveling.com/Paris-Disabled-Access

<The ADA doesn't exist in Paris, or in most of Europe.>
Sorry, don't know what is meant by ADA?Is it perhaps Assistance to Disabled Association?

Thanks for the sites you mention. I have used those sites but been unable to find answers to my questions above - sagetravelling was great for info on access to museums, art etc.

The Paris tourist and conventions bureau itself says that, basically, only line 14 and the buses are fully accessible for those with mobility difficulties, and it may be a sign that the link on their French site to Infomobi's accessibility map appears to be broken.

RATP (the public transport authority) only lists the stations that are fully wheelchair accessible (basically, RER and Line 14).

For those with smartphones, I've picked up a reference to an app that claims to include access information on stations for those with mobility difficulties (though its primary focus is on where the platform exits are for different connections and destinations - and it will all be in French):
http://www.paris-cilasortiedumetro.fr/

I don't know the stations you've listed, but in general, assume stairs everywhere and few, if any, escalators right the way through from platform level to the street. There may be escalators at some points, but there will usually be some stairs from platform to interchange concourse/corridor, and almost always fairly narrow staircases to the street once you have exited the barriers.

Thanks PatickLondon.
I agree - At present I'm not counting on any station accessibility except for line 14 and those on Infomobi that state wheelchair accessibility. In the meantime I have emailed info@sagetravel and posed my question there. I may get a response.

Take the buses!!!I know St germain and st Michel have
steps to enter and exit and St Michel can have a lot of walking ! Bastille is a bitch!

Get and use a cane. You'll go to the front of all the lines at places even taxi lines!!

a cane will get you a seat on a bus.

Thanks Avalon2.
I have collatted info on bus routes etc to take with me until I can find somewhere that I can get to so am able to purchase official maps and Mobilis pass etc. Now I know St Germain is out for me to use for travel and to get maps and tickets. You've already saved my walking ration - thanks.

I've been informed by Infomobi that St Michel does have an elevator and they supplied an address for that so that the wheelchair people end up in the right place via car/taxi.
I do use a walking stick/seat. Would not survive without it. Can't stand in queues. Have to walk then sit(rest)and enjoy watching the world go by.

Odéon has escalators up to street level but not going down. As Patrick mentioned, metro stops can have long walks for connections (Correspondances) and "hidden" stairs i.e. short flights here and there.

I remember Luxembourg has escalators up and down to street level but can't remember anything else. This was at the entrance closest to the Panthéon. Mabillon is a long flight of stairs at the entrance where rue du Four meets blvd St Germain. Hard to generalize because many metro stops have more than one entrance and exit.

I will still take the Metro or RER for long trips but prefer the buses, an added bonus is watching the world go by. Generally, the step on and off the bus is not high.

Thanks Cathinjoetown
My knowledge grows by the minute with the help of Fodorites.
So St Germain, Odéon and Mabillon are not options.
Luxembourg a possibility at entrance closest to Panthéon.
Can you remember whether that entrance is on Bd Saint-Michel, Rue Gay Lussac or perhaps Rue Soufflot?
I understand the possibility of "hidden stairs" and also not to rely on existing escalators being in action on the day.

I'm currently enjoying the wonderful coloured online Paris bus map and fine tuning my navigation around Paris using the bus routes.

There are escalators at the Ecole Militaire metro. BUT as others have said, just use the buses. I LOVE them. Get the Michael Middleditch guide to buses (and Metro). Most important is to be on the right side of the street for the bus (or in some cases, around the corner) to go in the direction you want.

Moving,

It is the rue Soufflot entrance but as mentioned, I don't remember how much walking is involved once down the escalator. Sorry!

I returned from Paris last week.....Even as a perfectly mobile person I got frustrated with
long corridors , numerous up and down stairs, multiple exits etc.
Actually, It crossed my mind how difficult it must be to take the metro for people with limited mobility.

ADA = Americans with Disabilities Act.

OK - thanks to you all.

My next question is - does anyone know where I can purchase transport tickets within the area Bd St Germain, Rue Saint-Sulpice, Luxembourg other than from Metro or RER stations given that I can not necessarily get down into the stations. I'm assuming that I first have to get down into the stations to purchase? Are there Tabacs or similar where I can purchase these? If it comes to it I guess an answer to this may be to purchase a ticket onboard a bus to St Michel and then purchase carnet and/or Mobilis tickets there.

You can purchase a carnet of 10 tickets, good for bus or metro, at tabacs. Your hotel should know where the closest one is. A carnet is 12.70€ as opposed to 1.70€ per ticket if purchased separately.

When you board the bus there is a validation machine just behind the driver and one near the side door. Be sure to validate.

OK thanks to all again. I am organised. I have planned bus routes, directions, etc for everywhere I wish to go. I feel like I know my way around Paris already. Shall ask hotel where to buy tickets when I get there. Looking forward to the 69 bus for starters. It's almost midnight here in Australia so time to zzzz.

Hope to see another excellent trip report.

Bon Voyage!

Here's a link to a list of tabacs in the 6th Arr. that sell Metro tickets:

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/achat_ti...atp_result.php

Have you found the interactive map? I find it very useful when researching transport options.

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk

Bon voyage!