paris with limited mobility
 

Hi, two of my acquaintances are going to Paris for a 3-day weekend vacation. They are a couple in their mid 60s and he has a bad knee. They will be staying at the K+K Cayre (early May). Any ideas for restaurants, cafes, attractions within walking distance from the Hotel (4, Blvd Raspail, not far from St Germaine)? In particular suggestions for dinner are welcome (say, 40-60 Euros per person price range).

Thanks.

Anyone? (before the message gets buried too deep...)

Hi Eric,

I'll start you off by giving you thsi web page...

www.pagesjaunes.fr

on the main page, enter

OU: "Paris 7"
Adresse: "4 blvd Raspail"

The hotel is in the 7th...From there, hit "photo", you'll see the hotel, then using the arrows you can 'walk' around the neighbourhood.

Once you've done that, go back and select "A proximite",. You get a map of the area...select either "restaurant" or "Patisserie" for examples...and voila...

Thanks Michel. The pages jaunes site is cool!

I was also hoping for suggestions based on first-hand experience about restaurants in Saint Germain. Preferably French cusine, nice ambiance, quiet (it's a kind of second honeymoon for them)...

Hi Eric,
I didn't check on a map to see how far it is, but we absolutely loved La Bastide Odeon, near the Opera and Luxembourg Gardens, and it is well within in their price range.

La Bastide Odeon
7, rue Corneille
http://www.bastide-odeon.com/us/page1.html

Here are a couple of places I like

Chez Clement: I really enjoyed my meal at this place, on Rue St Andre des Arts. located between St Germain and Seine River. Nice ambiance, great food and service. I had terrine, chicken with mash, mineral water,wine, dessert, coffee for 41E

http://www.chezclement.com/

Cafe Bonaparte

This little cafe is located on the square where the church of St Germain des Pres is located. Once a hangout of the existentialists. Location is good, scenery is nice. I've had lunch there a couple of times, with croque monsieurs and cafe cremes, while sitting on the patio watching Paris go by. Nearby is the Rue de Buci with its street market.

Also in the this area is Le Petit Zinc, 11 rue St Benoit, which is an old style "zinc bar", with very good seafood. It is a "classier" place, but not intimidating. Impeccable service.

http://www.petit-zinc.com/

Also nearby is Brasserie Balzar, that is often recommended. I have not been, but walked over to see it when I was in Paris last november. Full house, lots of locals.

http://www.brasseriebalzar.com/

If you head towards the Seine, east along St Germain, you get to Chez Rene, at 14 blvd St Germain. Classic bistro and bistro food. Was one of Catherine Deneuve's local hangouts when she lived near St Sulpice. I found it recommended in the Michelin Guide, not at all stuffy.

Start with this....

hausfrau, Michel, thanks a lot for the excellent suggestions.

also in the general vicinity of the above restaurants is the Cafe de Flore, which has significant history as meeting place of "tout Paris" in the post WWI days, but food is supposedly nondescript (have a coffee?)...

and Le Procope, supposedly the oldest restaurant in Paris (Ben Franklin ate there)..once again, not recommended for food, but maybe for a coffee. The area around the Procope is nice to walk in (but street in front is cobblestone) ..Buci market area.

Les Deux Magots, another literary haunt, is another possibility (food better)

http://www.lesdeuxmagots.fr/index.php?


Other people here recommend Leon de Bruxelles, at 131 blvd St Germain, if mussels and fries are your fancy.

Mike (I'm getting hungry)

Right around the corner at 36 rue de Grenelle is La Petit Chaise.

http://www.alapetitechaise.fr/english.htm

Encourage them to use the buses! There's a stop within steps for several routes - 69 is particularly useful.

We stayed at the Hotel Pont Royal(which I think is not too far from the K+K) when my husband could barely walk due to a hip problem. Had a lovely dinner at Ferme St. Simon (that spelling may be wrong). Also Cafe de Flore was within range... for wine stop or breakfast. If your friends want to break the bank there's the Atelier Joel Robuchon in the Pont Royal.(No reservations except for the earliest seatings.) We were able to limp to the Orsay, Louvre, etc. We didn't use buses but I think there is a very convenient route on the Rue du Bac.

Thanks again to all, I forwarded them all your suggestions, and will let them decide.

I second the suggestion to use the buses. The Metro has too many steps for comfort, with a bad knee.

:-)

My mother is coming in May and I've been wracking my brain trying to think of ways for her to see things without having to walk too much. She is in her mid-70s, has arthritis and has never been much of an exercise person.

We will take the batobus and the Open Tours buses. That way she can see things without having to walk too much.
www.batobus.fr
www.paris-opentour.com

Beaupeep,

When you know where your mother will be staying, go to the RATP site:
http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/
Once there, you can enter her address, and destination and search for the best route for her to take; just click the little circle for "Bus" before the search. It will give the closest bus stops, walking time to the stop, travel time on the bus, and the walking time from the nearest bus stop to her destination.

Also click on the "Plan Interactif" square in the lower let hand corner to bring up the big route map. Choose "Bus", and then click the line nearest the address. This will bring up another screen from which you can choose to see the line map, which has all of the stops listed. You can print these out for reference.

Sounds a bit complicated, but it is fun to play with when you get the hang of it.

:-)

For beaupeep - be advised that using the Batobus usually means walking down a long stairway or hill to the dock riverside and back up again when you get off. The hop on/hop off buses have a very narrow winding staircase to the top level.

The Arch de Triumph has an elevator and then there is one flight of stairs to the top. When they see you at the elevator door they send an attendant to take you to the top. Very helpful when one has bad knees.

I also add to the warning re the Batobus. It seems simple enough but if one has a problem walking or with the knees, it is very hard. Those steps are very high and it requires a lot of strength to get up the stairs.

Paris is a city best seen on foot, and there are many stairways indoors and out. Thus, it is not highly friendly to people with mobility problems.

The Métro system is mostly ruled out if you cannot negotiate stairs. Many buses, however, are designed without stairs and can tilt for people who are disabled so they can easily get on. The bus system is more difficult to use than the subway, though.

Taxis are an expensive option.

The Batobus is mostly a gimmick and requires going up and down lots of stairs. If you want to see the city from the river, take a river cruise (but that will require stairs as well).

If even walking straight and level is a problem, you could consider renting a scooter designed for people with limited mobility. There is a great deal that is difficult or impossible to see in Paris if walking is not an option.