Hi everyone, I have a rather delicate question. My DH is a large man even by American standards. We are going to Paris in July and the apartment we are staying in has informed us that the elevator only takes one person and one suitcase at a time. This has me wondering... are we going to have problems with seating in restaurants, elevators at the Eiffel Tower etc? I know this is a strange question but there has been the odd time he wouldn't fit on certain amusememnt park rides, at movie theatres I always make sure he has an aisle seat. Then I read in a Paris tour book that French men are smaller than the average American man!!! I really want my DH to have a great trip to Paris, to be comfortable wherever we go. Thanks....ptm

Well, how large is he? Yes, French people are very broadly speaking more petite than Americans, men included. I've been in some elevators where I felt cramped, and I'm 5' 3" and weigh 112 lbs.

The elevators at the Eiffel Tower are large, but often very full. I'm guessing he won't have a problem there, because once the elevator is full, they'll close the door and send it on up.

As for chairs in restaurants, I'm guessing that just depends on what seating types the restaurant has chosen. If he can fly across the Atlantic in a coach seat (maybe you're not doing that?), he should be able to sit at a Parisian restaurant.

Not really helpful, I know, but....good luck.

I think the coach seat is the answer. If he can fit in that he should be fine. If not, I would look for cafes etc with large sturdy chairs.

The elevator is a fuction of the age of the building - and in some cases can take either luggage - or a person - but not both. (One person puts the luggage in at the bottom and sends it up - the other takes it out at the top and sends the elevator back down for the pther person. And this is true of older, smaller hotels too.)

There are a lot of basketball players living in France...I suppose it can be done for some days

I think you are very considerate.

The elevators in the hotels do tend to be small (when these buildings were built everyone was smaller!), but can handle 1 adult at a time, or 2 smaller people together. You can also do the "send up one person, then send up the luggage, then the second person" I've seen that done if 2 didn't fit well or if people & luggage didn't all fit at once. If you think your husband would be more comfortable, maybe you can ask to be on the ground floor or the 1st floor that would only require walking up 1 flight (and you could take the luggage up on the lift) Where are you staying?

I don't think he will have a problem with the chairs in restaurants, but if you are sitting outside and the other tables/diners are too close, choose a table on the "end" so he can adjust the table/chair and be comfortable.

He won't have any problems with the elevators at the Eiffel tower, the Louvre, Orangerie, etc. (if those are in your plans) the elevators in the public buildings/monuments were originally designed for more than 1 or 2 people and in addition they have been updated with large, modern elevators.

Looks like a few of us were posting at the same time!

ptm, I hope you and your husband have a wonderful trip

ptm, your post is so sweet. It sounds like you have a lovely marriage and your husband is a lucky man. He must be a great guy too. Have a wonderful time in Paris. We're going for the first time in May. My SO is your average North American 'big guy'. I'll try to remember to let you know if he has any problems.

I wouldn't worry about it. Elevators in some apartments and hotels are very small. In the building of the apartment where we stay, it's very cozy in there with just the two of us!

One place he may have to "maneuver" is rest room stalls. But, if the rest rooms on planes are no problem, not to worry.

The chairs in many restaurants (bistro style furniture) are very small, and in many places the tables are very closely set. But, you can go somewhere else if necessary. Or, in the nice weather, dine outdoors everywhere you go.

For sure, many French men, especially those waiters, are very slender. Most of it is compact bone structure, but they are also very slim and fit.

There will be lots and lots of other large male tourists while you're there.

PS If you are staying in a ParisPerfect apartment, just e-mail Carolyn for advice. (The elevator in the building where we stayed did break once due to overload...)

My husband is also rather large-ish and we usually request a shower over a bath; the French bathtubs are definitely narrower. There have been a couple of very historic hotel rooms that have had shower stalls put in (the pre-fab, freestanding variety) that were so small, we could only laugh. Even IF we had managed to squeeze in, there was a good chance we would have to be extricated when it was time to get out! Luckily it was not a problem to forgo a shower one night...if we had been scheduled to be there a week or two, now that would have been a problem.

Many brasseries often have bench seats along the walls. As long as the tables aren't too close together (and usually they must pull the table out anyway fo), these would be better than chairs.

Hi

When I went to Paris last year the hotel had a tiny lift...there was only room for my wife and the suitcases and I had to walk up the stairs But you should not have any problem at the Eiffel tower as far as I can remember. Here is my trip report with pictures and links from last year: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

A BIG Thank you to everyone, I was a little concerned for my husband but I feel much better. When we fly coach, we try to get two seats by themselves so we can lift up the armrest between us, which gives my DH a little bit more room. So I don't think we will have many problems in Paris. I was worried about the Eiffel Tower and the museums more so than our apartment. Our apartment is on the 6th floor and we need the exercise so I don't think we will worry about the elevator. Thanks again for all the reassuring advice, everyone here makes traveling so easy. HDM I would love to hear about your trip...keep in touch. Thanks...Ptm