genoise

I'm taking my 84 year old to Paris. I can't seem to find a website that tells which Metro stations have escalators and elevators. Anyone know?

josephina

I am not seeing this page in English, but it is the official RATP guide for the disabled:

http://www.ratp.info/informer/accessibilite.php

josephina

Here's another page--but again in French:

http://www.infomobi.com/1.php

Robespierre

This is the list on the RATP site:

Page 1: http://www.ratp.info/informer/reseau_ferre.php
Page 2: http://www.ratp.info/informer/reseau...hp?partenaire=
Page 3: http://www.ratp.info/informer/reseau...hp?partenaire=

The pages are in French - but so are the Métro stations!

Underhill

There aren't that many, and in most cases you'll have a loong walk if you change metro lines. Check into the buses or rely on taxis.

Robespierre

I second that. Here's a little page I put together about how to use the bus network:

fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?tid=34987572

lincasanova

i travelled all over paris with my mom, same situation, and we took zero metros.. numerous buses and a couple taxis. worked out great.

don´t be intimidated by the busses. it is not that diffciult to find a few that are near your hotel and places of interest.

and the drivers were so sweet. my mom was very touched when she could tell they asked for a seat to be freed up for la MADAME.

Seamus

Another hearty recommendation for using the bus system in Paris. even at those stations with elevators or escalators there may still be some stairs to navigate and substantial distance to make connections, along with service outages.
I never did used the buses until a trip to Paris with my own mother who had difficulty with walking distances or stairs. I was reluctant at first, but it turned out to be great. You get to see a lot more of the city when you are not underground, and there is a lot less walking. You can use your travel pass (Carte Orange, or whatever) on the bus system.

Christina

A lot of the metro stations have escalators -- at least partially, from some area to the street. That doesn't mean there isn't going to be a lot of walking or that you won't encounter stairs at some point. Have you ever been in a big city before with a metro system? People don't typically take 84 year olds on them, anywhere. Unless your mom has the stamina and strength of a 70 year old, I really think that is a very very bad idea. Not just in Paris, anywhere.

RonZ

Look for a little blue book, "Le Bus," which has routes of all of the lines.

hanl

If you do decide to rely on the bus network, I strongly recommend getting hold of a street map/guide called "Le Petit Parisien - 3 plans par arrondissement", published by "l'Indispensable". There are three maps for each arrondissement, one of which shows the exact locations of bus stops for each line (another shows metro exits). It's very helpful when you want to work out where the nearest bus stop is.
It's sold in newsagents, bookshops, etc. in Paris and only costs a few euros.

lincasanova

..and it is nice to have a PASS so you can just jump on one wihtout worrying too much, even to go two blocks, and get off when you think it has turned the wrong way.

Robespierre

Having a pass is good.

Looking at the route map posted at the bus stop before you board is recommended. Then the bus won't do anything unanticipated.

The free PDA program called Métro has a database of Paris bus routes that solves the navigation problem for me. I type in my Start and End stations and hit the "Compute route" button, and the program instantly displays which bus to get on, where to change, and how long it takes to get where I'm going. Did I mention it's free?

nanika.net/metro

NeoPatrick

And I am amazed how many times escalators are not working in Paris. We spent 10 days near St. Michel two years ago and the main escalator up and out of there was out of service the entire time. This year I walked up a number of out of order escalators. I'd agree to check out busses (and taxis) for your situation.

bob_brown

Go to Munich instead. The escalators there usually work. Some stations even have elevators.

I know, no Louvre in Munich, but there is a good art museum or two or three.

kerouac

Every now and then, each escalator gets a major overhaul, which takes it out of service for about 2 months while they change just about every part. When it's <b>your</b> metro station, it seems unbearable, but hundreds of other escalators are operating elsewhere.

Much more unbearable is when <b>your</b> metro station is closed for renovation. Small stations are completely closed for 2 or 3 months. Major stations remain open, but close at 9 pm on working days. I had the horrible experience of my work station being closed for 2 1/2 months, and about one week after it reopened, my home station closed for 2 months. Glad that's out of the way for at least 20 or 30 years!

There is also the dreaded &quot;ballast renewal&quot; which happens on various lines. A section of about 8 stations closes at 8 pm for 3 or 4 months while they remove all the ballast, change the ties, and put the rails back in place. There is a replacement bus during such periods, but obviously it is a pain.

Thank god for V&eacute;lib!

Guenmai

Take the bus or a taxi. I took my almost 80-year-old mom to Paris two years ago and really thought the metro stairs would be fine for her, but after about a full day, she said it was too much. So, since I know the bus system, like the back of my hand, I switched everything over to the bus and a few taxis. People are very good about giving up their seats to older people. As soon as we would get on a crowded bus, someone would automatically get up. I told her that her white hair really worked to her advantage. She said that she must have been the only person in Paris with white hair as she refuses to color it. Had she colored it, she would have looked younger and might not have gotten a seat. Smiles.
Paris is not easy for the elderly/diabled when it comes to the metro. Happy Travels!