A trip to Paris without disabilities – accessible attractions and mobility tips

When I first arrived in Paris, I wanted to be surprised. I wanted to see if Paris would become the Paris I had imagined in my head, if it would smell like I had imagined it, if its alleys would be filled with people like in Godard's frames, if it would be full of Parisians wearing berets and intellectual mustaches, if the croissants would live up to their name.

I wanted to discover it the way one discovers a foreign city, with measured steps on sidewalks that would surprise me with the gaps between the bumps and make walking difficult. Because besides being the filmmaker who loves Europe that I am, I also carry a disability with me. I use a walking stick and have difficulty walking long distances, due to a serious car accident I had as a child.

Before I start giving you tips that can help quite a few people with disabilities, I will try, with the kind help of the Francophile, to answer the important question, what accessible attractions can be found in Paris.

Accessible attractions in Paris

5 tips that can help people with disabilities traveling in Paris

So here are 5 things I discovered during my trip to Paris that could help quite a few people with disabilities.

Tip 1: Don't forget your National Insurance card

For the trip, I went with Shemesh – my beloved assistant, and I took a scooter with me on the trip to help me cover distances. And, as it turns out, you must not forget the National Insurance card – a card that in Israel carries certain benefits, but in Paris was a real celebration. In museums, when standing in lines – you are entitled to simply skip to the front of the line. Just pull out the card and there is entry – for you and your companion. Often it is free or at a discount.

Tip 2: A comfortable Parisian hotel for those with walking difficulties

Because of the need for an accessible hotel, when I was looking for a hotel, it was important to me that it be as small as I like and as accessible as I need. That is, without stairs and with a shower. I found Sweet and accessible hotel One with great staff in the French Quarter of Saint Germain on the Left Bank. It is not wheelchair accessible in principle, but for my needs it was great. Also, the hotel managers are lovely people and helped me find a scooter for a much cheaper price than I found when I searched on Google.

If you want more recommendations on accessible hotels, you are welcome to read the article on Accessible hotels in Paris.

The name of the cinema's landlord is Omri Joseph Tankman:

site: https://www.mobilityscooter.fr/

Site 2: https://www.silverscooter.fr/

WhatsApp: +33601776586

The name of the hotel is Louis II

site:  https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/louis-2.html?aid=384106

Tip 3: Buses in Paris are adapted for people with disabilities

Public transportation in the city Consists of a metro and buses. I simply didn't go near the metro, which is known for its stairs and inaccessibility. I understood that there were some accessible stations, but I simply preferred to ignore the metro and it didn't detract from my travel experience, or so I prefer to think. We traveled by bus, which has a great system: the bus approaches the station, you wave your hand to the driver and he simply stops the bus at the station and an automatic ramp pulls out for you. In Berlin, for example, the ramps are manual, which is outdated and cumbersome. On the way, we used Google Maps, which guided us about the transportation and the accessible and correct lines. The expensive taxis had nice drivers who, even though they didn't speak English, agreed to help fold the scooter, but on the buses everything was simple and convenient.

Wandering the streets, every sidewalk, at least the one I've seen, has a ramp-shaped drop. Sometimes the sidewalks are so high and old that someone bothered to create a ramp in them. It's cute, but it's also very awkward and scary.

Regarding paying on the buses, I didn't really understand the legality. Shemesh the assistant went to the driver to pay after we got on, and each time the driver whispered a different amount in her ear, sometimes for free, sometimes 4 euros for both of us, sometimes 2 euros for both of us. For example, when we got to the cinema Paris, a wonderful place in my opinion with a changing exhibition, they charged us 4 euros for each of us at the entrance. Instead of 8 euros for me and she is free, as is customary. This may sound trivial to you, but Shemesh said that it gave her a very pleasant feeling, she is not transparent after all.

By the way, taxis in Paris were also very accessible.

Tip 4: The French are nice people (despite what everyone says)

One day we got lost in the streets, which is an experience I actually like – getting lost in Europe. We were abusing the experience and looking for an accessible taxi, which was very complicated to the point of being impossible. We called the hotel to ask them to call us one, but the lady mumbled something about us trying to fold the scooter like we did on the way. She was sweet, but we were so tired that folding the scooter was beyond our strength. A nice French guy who was passing by (they are so nice! The stigma of the French not being nice to tourists was completely shattered for me) called the station to call a taxi for us. He had a hard time finding one, and finally found a station that asked us to wait half an hour. We were lucky that he sat down with us for coffee, and about half an hour later he was able to answer the lady from the station, who called to say that she couldn’t find an accessible taxi. The end of the story was that we gave up the taxi and joined him for an evening of public singing with a Mexican choir in the heart of Paris (in the east of Paris, actually), we ate crepe With guacamole, and we talked with our hands to intelligent French students, most of whom we were surprised to find didn’t speak any English. It was one of those crazy and fun evenings. In the end, they escorted us to the right bus line, which took us to the hotel. That solved my accessible taxi issue – well, not really.

Tip 5: How to skip the Eiffel Tower line

I'll end with the Eiffel Tower, the highlight of Paris. Many people have told me about the long lines in front of the tower. When I tried to order tickets online from Israel, the Eiffel Tower told me that there was no need and that it would be fine if I was a woman with a disability. Indeed, when we got off the bus and arrived at the Eiffel Tower grounds, the lady at the entrance immediately directed us to the guy who was identified as a security guard in our seats, and together with us he simply walked past all the lines and took us to a special entrance for people with disabilities. It took less than forty seconds. My disability turned out to be more effective than ever.

It's worth qualifying all this happiness: It's true that we got through the line in a flash, but the security guard (the handsome one! What handsome men there are) told us that we could only go up to the second floor, the restaurant and souvenirs floor, because disabled people are not allowed to go up all the way, for fear of a malfunction in the elevator. His words, of course, really irritated me and I wanted to get up, but by the time we got to the second floor I was already feeling dizzy from the height and I stayed quiet to buy magnets and crepes. I'm not sure it's okay to say something like that to Francophiles, but I admit that the Eiffel Tower disappointed me, and that it's fatter and shorter than I always imagined.

Despite this, Paris did not disappoint, she was wonderful to me, and it looks like I will have to return to her again and again to make sure I was right.

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That's all for Rona's article, and from there I added some general information for you about accessibility in Paris and its top attractions.

Accessibility for people with disabilities at Paris airports

Both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports are equipped with the necessary facilities to serve people in wheelchairs or with disabilities. At Charles de Gaulle airport, you can check in at the gate with a wheelchair – no matter what the flight attendants tell you. You are supposed to board the plane with the chair, whether it is electric or manual. The terminals themselves at the airport are adapted for people with disabilities, including accessible toilets.

Wheelchair transportation to and from the airport: The cheapest option is the RER trains. It is recommended to reserve a seat in advance by email: accesplus@transilien-sncf.fr. The trains arrive at Gare du Nord in Paris and a few more stops along the way. Take the CDG VAL shuttle train from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 and connect to the RER B train. If you are arriving at Orly Airport, take the Orlyval shuttle train to Antony station and connect to the RER B from there. The RoissyBus bus lines from Charles de Gaulle are not wheelchair accessible. On the other hand, the OrlyBUS bus line from Orly Airport is accessible, and information about it can be found in the RATP public transport app.

Accessibility to attractions in Paris

As you read in the article, the Eiffel Tower is accessible and available to people with disabilities without any problems.

Champs Elysees Accessible to wheelchair users – the sidewalks are suitable for strolling, and most stores also offer some kind of ramp to allow you to enter.

The Louvre Museum And its galleries are accessible to people with disabilities, and it has elevators that make it easy to get around even in a wheelchair. The museum allows people with disabilities to skip the lines and get fast access, including to the Mona Lisa. In fact, those in wheelchairs will get to stay closest to the famous painting! You can enter the museum with one companion for free. The Musee d'Orsay and the Musee de l'Orangerie are also accessible and allow free entry with one companion.

Tuileries Gardens, Paris's number 1 public park, is reasonably accessible. The paths are gravel or paved, and can be navigated by wheelchair. The same is true for Luxembourg GardensThe Opera Garnier is accessible for free with a wheelchair (and one companion). The venue is largely accessible, including elevators, and there are wheelchair-accessible restrooms on every floor.

Palace of Versailles And its gardens are accessible to those in wheelchairs. You need to enter through Gate H, which is to the right of the palace’s main gate. The paths are paved with stones, so it is recommended to drive slowly and expect a slightly bumpy ride. Inside the palace itself, the paths are smoother and more comfortable. Entrance for people with disabilities with one companion is free.

Accessibility at Disneyland Paris

בDisneyland Paris Accessibility is guaranteed for people with all types of disabilities, including special parking spaces, the ability to rent strollers and wheelchairs, accessible restrooms, an app that gives an audio tour of the place, the ability to enter with guide dogs, and more. The park explains that The various attractions Accessibility, however, there may be cases where people with disabilities will not be able to use a facility due to safety issues.

EuroDisney hotels are also accessible – when booking a hotel room in the park, you need to inform them in advance, and they will prepare accordingly.

People with disabilities can receive a special access card at Disneyland Paris (Priority Card or Easy Access Card – the type of card will be determined by the documents you present to the park). The Priority Card grants priority access to attractions, restaurants, photo spots, and more, but not immediate access. In addition, you can receive a 25% discount, depending on the park's conditions. It is possible and recommended to book the card in advance. On the EuroDisney website.

For more information on the subject Accessibility at Disneyland Paris.