This page was originally published in 2017. It is up-to-date as of 2024. Some links show broken, but are valid. Cyber gremlins.
Transportation tips around Paris
The Paris Tourist Office/Convention Bureau has come a long way with updating their accessibility options. Find practical information on the page Paris for people with disabilities. The tips include restaurants, hotels, transportation, electric scooter information, cultural sites with disabled access, etc.
Helpful Blogs and Websites for Accessibility
- John Sage Sage Traveling Europe – Sage Traveling was founded by John Sage, a wheelchair user who has visited more than 120 cities in Europe.
- Amanda Reid – Limitless Travel – UK blog
WC Toilets are accessible to wheelchairs
All of the Public Toilets, designed by Patrick Jouin, along the streets of Paris are accessible. If any pages are in French, choose the British flag to read in English.
When he designed them, it was with women in mind who do not like tight spaces. It was also a convenient model for wheelchair accessibility. Do not hesitate to use them. You enter when the green light is on and the door closes behind you.
Traveler with limited mobility advice — from Madeleine Burnel
While working on one of my museum articles I met a wonderful and energetic individual.
Madeleine Burnel lived in the Alsace region and traveled around France. Her limited mobility due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was never going to handicap her! She was an avid TGV traveller. On a one-week visit to Paris, she shared advice and a list of places to visit. Check the websites for up-to-date accessibility. Madeleine has gone to the Paris in the sky. Madeleine will always be remembered for her energy and vitality and independence.
Classic places to visit and off the beaten path
Visit the Eiffel Tower – 1st and 2nd levels! Visit the Official Eiffel Tower for their Frequently asked Questions on wheelchair accessibility and other news.
John Sage of Sage Traveling has a post on wheelchair accessibility at the Eiffel Tower.
Bâteaux – Mouches
Madeleine recommends embarking at Pont de l’Alma. There is an incline on the boarding platform and then a five steps to descend on to the boat. The personnel will help you.
Centre Georges Pompidou (also known as Beaubourg), rue Beaubourg, Paris 3rd
Number of exhibitions that are accessible with the elevator.
Musée de la Vie Romantique, 16 rue Chaptal, Paris 75009 The interior courtyard is full of cobblestones. The interior is accessible with either cane or crutches, no elevator. Stairs have a ramp.
This the house of Ary Scheffer, a royal painter during the reign of Louis Philippe. A whole floor is dedicated to Georges Sand, Liszt and Chopin. Temporary exhibits of romantic painters. Beautiful winter garden and park.
Rue de Rivoli
Stroll or roll along the rue de Rivoli with its souvenir shops and stores and affluent buildings. Store entrances are at ground level and most sidewalks ramp to the street.
Jardin des Tuileries
Use the ramp on the Louvre Museum side. The ramp is located at the corner of Rue de Rivoli and Avenue du Général Lemonnier.
Musée Jacquemart-André
Lots of stairs, no elevators, but the personnel really made an effort and helped her to the maximum.
She suggests visiting the tea salon before your departure from this beautiful home from the Napoleon III era.
Other sites to visit:
Versailles Accessibility Review their page for all details on limited mobility and access. Choose the accessible visitor information for more details and what and how to visit.
Promenade Plantée Coulée Verte (use your browser to translate the page)- The Promenade Plantée is handicap accessible.
This is a walk along an ancient railway line that has been turned into a park above ground. It stretches 4.5 km between la Bastille and the Bois de Vincennes. The raised park was created in 1993 and covers a surface of 65,000 m². The Viaduc des Arts (art and design stores) are below in the vaults of the old train line.
Access the promenade on avenue Daumesnil. at the Bois de Vincennes as well as by stairs and elevators along the way. The Promenade Plantée is located in the 12th arrondissement. One of the closest metro is Bastille.
Access ramp at Jacques Hillairet Street. The park is free with adapted automatic public toilets (Sanisettes). The toilets are found at 111 avenue Daumesnil and 179 avenue Daumesnil.
Open: 8 a.m. during the week and 9 a.m. the weekends the closing times vary according to the season:
Closing time: January: 5:30 p.m.
February: 6 p.m.
March: 7 p.m.
April 15 to May 15: 9 p.m.
May 15 to August 31: 9:30 p.m.
September: 8:30 p.m.
October: 8 p.m.
End of October to November 15: 6 p.m.
November 15 to December 31: 5:30 p.m.
What is up there?
Children’s play area: with a sandbox and ping pong tables and large lawns. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The doggie park is between the Reuilly tunnel (le tunnel de Reuilly) and the Bois de Vincennes.
The Victor Hugo museum
The museum has an elevator that permits access to all floors and toilets. Two parking spots are available in front of the museum. More accessible information for the museum on the tourist office website. They have a charming café in the courtyard.
The apartment is situated on the second floor of the Hôtel de Rohan Guéménée. Victor Hugo rented the mansion on Place des Vosges for 16 years (1832-1848). The other is Hauteville House, the only house that he owned where he lived for 15 years (1856 to 1870).
The museum located in the Place des Vosges was opened in 1902, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of his birth. It was the inspiration of Paul Meurice (1818-1905), a long-time friend and ardent defender of Hugo and his work. This was the first museum dedicated to his works and letters according to the Paris mayor’s office.
Find information on Paris accessibility for exhibitions and leisure activities from the Paris Tourist Office.
The Petit Palais is accessible as is their dining facility. The handicap toilet stall opens inward and not outward — there is no bar to hold on to. Two web pages have information on reduced mobility. For your visit has app and equipment information. The second gives details on specific exhibits, bookings and the accessibility register.
The Petit Palais has a nice café with a view over the interior gardens. The food is good and the staff is very helpful.
The Grand Palais is undergoing renovations. It was accessible along 3, avenue du Général-Eisenhower, with an exterior lift to the left of the stairs. They have a cafeteria inside. On their “Accès Public” page (accessibility), click on “public empéchés” (located after “noctilien”). Two wheelchair icons are shown.