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Paris with limited mobility
It has been several years since we visited Paris and in the intervening time my husband's mobility has declined due to a progressive neuromuscular condition. Stairs are out of the question, and thus, transport via Metro. He uses a walker or rollator, not a wheelchair, and is able to handle a bit of level walking. In previous visits I recall buses provide good accessibility - is that still accurate? If so, we'll use bus transport when feasible, otherwise will rely on taxi or ride hailing like uber or Bolt. Any insights/suggestions appreciated!
We will visit over US Thanksgiving and I am excited to see the restored Notre Dame cathedral as well as chow down at a few favorite spots. Any suggestions for activities suitable for one with reduced mobility (walker) are most welcome! |
Hi,
I hope these somewhat recent threads might be helpful to you: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-days-1730528/ https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...culty-1709115/ Wishing you and your husband the best of luck! |
Hi Seamus,
Yes, using the busses is always a good idea. These days I tend to default to the bus. Two things. Take a look at the RATP website or app, go to "Maps," and click on the bus map. You can get a good idea of which specific routes will link your accommodation to the things you'll want to do & see. Bus line 69 is a great one, as is #72. Lines 86 & 87 are good, too. Then, when you know where your accommodation will be, go to Google maps and drill down to look closely at the street and intersecting streets and find the closest bus icons. Click on each one, and it'll show which bus stops there and where its route goes. That's a great tool. Have fun as you plan! s |
We were there last December and just took taxis or Ubers all of the time. For me, it's well "worth it" and made life a lot easier. My friend and I did Christmas in NYC a few years ago and totally converted me to taxis all of the time. So much easier to fit in a lot without exhaustion. My friend uses a cane, not a walker.
The line was a lot longer than expected at l'Orangerie. An attendant motioned for her to come to him and he escorted us past the line completely and took us to a side door next to the security scanner. We didn't anticipate that but it was very nice. We had timed tickets for d'Orsay and went to the appropriate line. That time I asked the attendant and she told us which door to move to. Again, we entered near the security scanner and it made a big difference. For my friend, extended standing in lines caused a lot of pain. I just mentioned this in an another thread but I loved night tours of Paris in a vintage Citroen. I took my first one on Christmas night 2016. First of all, it's just fun riding around Paris in the old car. It's a great way to see Paris landmarks lit up at night. It's one of my favorite things to do in Paris now. https://2cvparistour.com/book-your-2cv/ My friend sat up in front with the driver instead of trying to get in the back seat of the small car. We ordered the champagne on ice and it's just a delightful way to see the city at night. We tried to buy advance tickets to see Notre Dame without success but when our group arrived (excursion from the river cruise) the guide said the rumor was that they were going to open up a no-ticket line. That indeed happened and in the morning the line was constantly moving. I don't know the status re lines now. The difference between 2016 and 2024 was amazing. The interior of ND was glowing! Before the interior was so dark it felt like entering a cave. Centuries of accumulated soot from the candles really made an impact. I'll find a photo and post it. We did a few days solo before and after the cruise. We stayed at a wonderful hotel steps away from Galeries Lafayette that was wondeful - highly recommended by a long time guest. The decorations should be up by your Thanksgiving trip. At the beginning, we stayed at a hotel another Fodorite loves and everything we wanted/ needed was within steps, including Mamaw's (can't remember her newer screen name) favorite restaurant, l'Atlas. Honestly, with taking taxis/ Ubers everywhere and the "fast track" entrance to museums (which I didn't expect at all) we had a wonderful time in Paris without other adjustments. We took a cooking class during a later visit to Tuscany. Something like that would be fun if the kitchen/ space allowed him to sit during the class. The Christmas market across the street from ND was small and would be easily accessible for him - not too overwhelming. It was enough for us. Adding one more thought - A friend contacted me, asking about Broadway and NYC tips for a visit. She was going up for a consult at Sloan Kettering. I mentioned hiring a private driver for the day but didn't expect to her to actually do it. The photos she posted from the trip were amazing! Later, she thanked me for the suggestion. They were able to fit so much in such a short visit that she would simply not have the stamina to do "on her own". I'm not sure who she chose, but although pricey it enabled her to see and do so much. I just mention that in case there are "memory lane" places you may want to see and do but stamina limits your husband on this trip. I know I am using more private drivers as I get older. I enjoy reading Percy's travel memories and he used them all of the time when he and his wife traveled. Just a thought... |
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f4cb9dddfc.jpg
Notre Dame - Christmas 2024 v 2016 Mentioned in the earlier post. The interior is just gleaming! |
That's one of the best comparative illustrations ever, starrs. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that it looks too new now.
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Originally Posted by kerouac
(Post 17670031)
That's one of the best comparative illustrations ever, starrs. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that it looks too new now.
I love it. The first time I visited (2004) I was underwhelmed. It was SO dark. There was a mass going on as we entered and everything was so powerful but so dark it was hard to see anything it all. I "saw" the beauty of the exterior but really didn't appreciate the beauty of the interior. Now, I am absolutely in love. I like the removal of the pew and the use of chairs. I can imagine the changes may be too much for some people but I really love it. |
A bit of an aside, but I saw the bells the previous May while they were at the foundry in Normandy. They were checked for integrity before returning when the belfry was ready for them again.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...97379c8d19.jpg The foundry in Normandy https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e156ff5d12.jpg The gate https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b5e04e98c3.jpg Photos of the ND bells were not allowed so I took photos of the signs. The 8 bells were returned to the belfry to ring again. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e58df7bed8.jpg Signage for the bells which were behind me. Photos were not allowed. |
Starrs, what incredible photos!
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Thank you, PegS!
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Wow, starrs! Seamus, please share how it goes. Paris bus system is fabulous so I expect there will be enough accessible ones.
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starrs, incredible photos, thank you! We were in Paris last year for the Thanksgiving week, when the grand inauguration of Notre Dame took place. Of course it wasn’t yet open to the public, so another trip there is on the anvil, hopefully next year. DH and I lived in Paris for five years when we were first married 46 years back, so it’s probably my most favorite city ever.
Seamus, I also recommend the Citroen night tour, we loved seeing the Xmas lights and it was a beautiful experience. We also took a bottle of champagne and the driver stopped near the Louvre for us to have a glass of bubbles! 😉 |
Originally Posted by geetika
(Post 17670724)
starrs, incredible photos, thank you! We were in Paris last year for the Thanksgiving week, when the grand inauguration of Notre Dame took place. Of course it wasn’t yet open to the public, so another trip there is on the anvil, hopefully next year. DH and I lived in Paris for five years when we were first married 46 years back, so it’s probably my most favorite city ever.
Seamus, I also recommend the Citroen night tour, we loved seeing the Xmas lights and it was a beautiful experience. We also took a bottle of champagne and the driver stopped near the Louvre for us to have a glass of bubbles! 😉 Question - your name doesn't have anything to do with Costa Rica, does it? Good to know you loved the night tour also! Here are some photos from my 2016 and 2024 Christmas visits. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4534c1bd47.png 2024 - my friend sat in front with the driver due to limited mobility. The last photo = the car driving away from our hotel after the tour. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f809210aea.png 2016 - I went solo on this trip. I actually disinvited a friend who wanted to go because I needed solo time. I highly recommend this if anyone is traveling solo but wants to get out at night. This was Christmas night 2016. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...79463decd0.png 2016 also - I think this kind of tour was new then because we got a LOT of reactions from wait staff standing outside bistros and other drivers. Seeing the vintage car made others happy as well. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4cae02a092.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4700d5a3a7.jpg Christmas night 2016 |
<< Question - your name doesn't have anything to do with Costa Rica, does it? >>
starrs, not at all, I am from India. |
Starrs..another hearty "WOW!!"for those photos!!!! If I could say it in French I would but I cannot, So; Muchas gracias!!
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Thanks, ek!
Here are some more Notre Dame photos in case anyone is interested in seeing it post renovation. I love it. Absolutely love how much it gleams. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9c3da04173.png The pews have been replaced by chairs. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...afa6b544e8.png The cross that was still visible after the fire. Modern furniture. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...23bbe20f6c.png Such a huge difference. The interior is so light. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a00d43db48.png Beautiful art work throughout. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...394c78031b.png The exterior with a glimpse of the lines (short when we were there) |
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