hi-speed train from Paris to Strasbourg?
 

Wondering in there is a lift or elevator at gare d'est? Not easy carrying luggage up/down stairs when you are seniors.

TAW:

The platforms are at street level. As Est is a railhead, there is no need for underpasses. Only the Metro station is down a few flights of stairs. You may want to get to the station by taxi.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your trip

Phil.

Thankyou! We have 2 other train trips so I hope it same. One leaves Colmar to Avignon, the other is Avignon to CDG. All hi-speed.

There is an elevator at Avignon to get to the platform; Avignon Gare is very user friendly for seniors.

Merci, grandmere!

Are you talking about Avignon's station in the town center or the Avignon TGV station a few miles outside of town? The new TGV one certainly would have lifts - not sure which station grandmere is talking about. Most TGVs only serve Avignon TGV station and not the older in-town station.

They have escalators at the Avignon TGV station, also.

Avignon centre is at ground level. Avignon TGV is a 21st century station will all modern conveniences.

Avignon centre is at ground level.>

curious kerouac - is Avignon centre-ville station a dead-end terminus - it must be I guess if it is all at ground level?

just curious. merci!

Frankly, the stations of all of the major French cities have been retrofitted with elevators and sometimes escalators since the SNCF takes disabled access very seriously.

Of course, not all seniors are disabled.

FYI, got here OK today...elevator & escalator at Strasbourg. However, be aware that if your hotel is anywhere near the train stn, the taxis WILL NOT take you...you must walk. You can plead all you want but they won't budge.

I want to say "good for them!" but I fear that I will annoy you if I do so.

Why??? You think someone w/health issues should be forced to drag luggage several blocks??? We would gladly pay an extra fee.

You had not yet mentioned health issues.

a little baksheesh could persuade cabbie to do such a short trek - always works IME.

What business is it of anyone to question why someone would want to use a taxi to travel a short distance? Many have disabilities that are not apparent to a casual observer. I have twice encountered obnoxious Parisien taxi drivers who rudely expressed their disgust at my wanting their services for short journeys.

There should be no need for any argument with or extra incentive for such drivers. From the official site of the Mairie of Paris:

"Un taxi n'a pas le droit de refuser...
... une course de petite distance
car il existe un montant minimum (suppléments inclus) de 6,60€."

Which in English states, "A taxi does not have the right to refuse a journey of short distance because there exists a minimum charge (including supplements) of 6,60€."

http://www.paris.fr/pratique/deplace...97_sheet_23180

I realize that TAW's experience was in Strasbourg, but I would be very surprised to learn that their licensed taxis are not subject to a similar rule.

That of course is the reaction when one comes from a completely capitalist country. In other parts of the world, workers do as they wish, whether or not it corresponds to the regulations.

My own feeling is that taxis should be avoided whenever possible out of respect for the environment.

So, kerouac, you do not own a car?

No, I have never owned a car in my entire life.

I've read that Parisians, of which kerouac is one that the majority of them do not have cars - not sure if this is so but seems likely given the tremendous public transporation system and problems with parking, etc.