2012moving

Hello Fodorites
2012moving had to cancel trip to Paris in 2013 but I'm planning for 2015.

After much research I feel that the Navigo Decouverte is the best thing for me to use in Paris. I will be in Paris for sufficient time and using sufficient number of buses to get value from this option.

BUT because of mobility issues I am looking for somewhere I can purchase one and recharge it as necessary without having to climb down/up stairs in Metro stations. I will be staying in the 75006 area. Research through RATP has given me a list of commercial outlets for sales of tickets etc in the 75006 area. I've translated the notes at the top of this site and it states the Navigo Decouverte is available at these outlets.
CAFé TABAC
30 R NOTRE-DAME-DES-CHAMPS
Tabac
6 R. RACINE
CAFé TABAC
110 RUE D'ASSAS
TABAC LIBRAIRIE
111 RUE DE RENNES
TABAC PRESSE
50 R. DU CHERCHE-MIDI
TABAC
22 RUE SAINT-ANDRÉ-DES-ARTS
TABAC PRESSE
78 R. DE SEINE
TABAC LOTO
25 R. DE VAUGIRARD
TABAC LOTO
64 R. DE SEINE
CAFé TABAC
9 RUE DE SEVRES
CAFé TABAC
17 R. DAUPHINE
TABAC LOTO
20 R. LITTRÉ
TABAC
54 R. NOTRE-DAME-DES-CHAMPS
PRESSE
12 PL. SAINT-SULPICE

My question is has anyone been successful (or know of anyone who has) with purchasing Navigo Decouverte from any of these outlets?
Thanks

kerouac

Any official RATP dealer such as those you have listed will sell a Navigo Découverte. Why on earth would you have doubts about the "success" of making the transaction? That's like asking if anybody has been successful buying a baguette in a boulangerie.

Sarastro

The RATP site states that both Navigo cards and fares are sold at the above addresses. I usually recharge my Navigo at a métro station but would have no reason to doubt the RATP´s instructions.

A valid Navigo Découverte card will require a 25mm x 30mm photo of yourself (about 1 inch square) and the card must have your name printed in the space provided at the lower right corner.

Give yourself plenty of time when traveling exclusively by bus. Bus schedules are only that schedules. The reality is that you can sometimes wait quite a while for a bus and routes, particularly through the 6th and 7th, are frequently altered by that very French practice of the <i>manifestation</i> or public protest.

The city is currently installing new bus stations or shelters at each stop. They have updated electronics with information about the wait required before the next bus arrives. These new shelters are very nice but the benches are much smaller than the ones they are replacing.

2012moving

Kerouac - with all due respect to you. I have seen on-line that some people had found that even Metro stations do not always have them available because they have "none available". Hopefully no one will find boulangeries have run out of baguettes. Especially for you.

Thanks Sarastro. I'm a slow traveller never in a hurry or impatient with buses. I'm simply grateful there are some.

manouche

There's simply no way to predict who will run out of what on any given day in Paris - baguettes or anything else. But since you have a list of so many choices, you should find what you need without too much trouble. I'm not sure about re-charging the pass in a tabac, though - so I would make sure to ask about that when you buy it.

2012moving

manouche Yes I will check that at the time. If not I will have to once a week make my way down and up Mabillon or Luxembourg. What a shame there are no layout maps for the stations. I have no idea how far I will need to go down before finding a ticketing area. It will be an adventure and hopefully not ruin my day.

kerouac

Boulangeries regularly run out of baguettes.

manouche

If you were wondering about how many stairs you would have to face to find the machines or manned booths, it's only one flight down in most - maybe all - stations. A few stations will have escalators going up, but very few go down.

AJPeabody

Kerouac: "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche."

2012moving

Thanks manouche. That sounds promising and a sensible location for tickets etc. I had through research learned that escalators up and not down were more the norm.
Perhaps a brioche through its kilojoules content would increase my energy on dem staircases. Thanks to all

nukesafe

I do not know which ones, but I do know that some Metro stations do have elevators, which do go both up and down, I'm sure. Perhaps some knowledgeable Fodorite can direct you to a list of them

Ackislander

Certainly, all the Tabacs you list are in two quite limited areas. If you put them in street order, you could walk from one to the other if for some reason one lacked what you wanted.

You are overthinking this, perhaps wildly overthinking this.

More useful: How is your French? If it is lacking, write down what you want, including dates, in case they can't understand your pronunciation (these places don't necessarily deal with tourists all day the way stations do) and have your identification and photo ready. Don't go during commuter hours when they will be busy and don't go -- if the " tabac" is a counter in a cafe -- when they are busy serving lunch. I've never been to one that was set up for using credit cards, but that may be my limited experience.

manouche

All tabacs do accept credit cards, though there may be a minimum purchase, as there usually is everywhere else.

2012moving

I know the area rather well through checking it out online. I will have cash and hve already prepared something so can communicate with vendors.
I arrive on Sunday and they will be closed then. After 17 hours in flight + connection I will be resetting my body clock in Lux gardens on Sunday afternoon. Monday is the day I start sourcing ticket for transport - after commuter hours. After all there's leisurely breakfast to enjoy first.

I understand why people can think I am "over thinking" this. My response is walk a day in my shoes and you may think differently too.

So looking forward to it. Thanks for your advice.

apersuader65

Thanks Ed Snowden.

"même les paranoïaques ont des ennemis?"

apersuader65

http://parisbytrain.com/map-paris-wh...-rer-bus-tram/

great link to accessibility of all of the system.

nukesafe

Very helpful link, Apersuader65! Thanks!

kerouac

<<I arrive on Sunday and they will be closed then.>>

All of the metro stations that sell tickets will be open until half past midnight, even on Sunday. I don't like to buy anything from a Tabac anyway, just out of principle.