If you’re wondering if Paris is really accessible, we have a two-part answer: the bad news and the good.
We could also start with the bad news : Paris doesn’t exactly have a stellar record when it comes to accessibility. Wheelchair intolerant cobbled streets; subway elevators out of service or non-existent; coffee restrooms in basements accessible only by narrow spiral staircases, whatever. For visitors with disabilities or limited mobility, Paris can seem like an obstacle course.
The good news? A number of recent measures have considerably facilitated the movement of visitors with reduced mobility or disabilities. There is still a long way to go, but the city is continually improving its track record.
Public transport: getting around the city
The public transport infrastructures of the French capital are increasingly accessible than they were before, but they have a long way to go and require users to carefully plan their trips. Here’s the truth:
Metro and RER (commuter train system)
- In general, the Paris metro offers little accessibility for travelers with reduced mobility and the disabled. At the moment, only Metro line 14 is fully equipped with elevators and ramps, with selected stations on other lines providing adequate accessibility. About two-thirds of the metro stations in Paris have escalators.
- Suburban express trains (RERs) are generally much better equipped for passengers with limited mobility. All four RER lines are accessible to wheelchair users from most major stations.
Visit this page to download a map (PDF format) of accessible Metro and RER stations.
- Travelers with wheelchairs should note that only manual wheelchairs can be comfortably used on the metro and RER at the present time, due to the gap between the platform and the train.
- For visually impaired passengers , the Metro and the RER are not sufficiently accessible. Some stations are equipped with raised warning posts along the edge of the train platforms. Additionally, Metro line 14 and selected trains on line 3 have automatic voice announcements indicating each stop. Efforts are underway to include voice announcements on all lines.
- For hearing impaired passengers , at least one ticket and information booth at each Metro or RER station is equipped with magnetic inductive loops that allow passengers with hearing aids to easily communicate with Metro and RER staff. Passengers simply place their hearing aid on the telephone icon “T” in the cabin.
Buses and trams: all equipped with ramps; Many with other features
Thanks to great efforts to create or renovate existing surface transport networks, buses and trams in Paris are much more accessible for passengers with limited mobility and visual or hearing disabilities.
According to the RATP (Metro) website, the city of Paris has purchased 400 new and fully accessible buses every year since 1998. As a result, all Paris bus lines are now equipped with ramps, and about 96-97% additionally They offer lowering devices, special seats for passengers with limited mobility and a voice announcement system. Line 38, which runs north-south through the city center, also has displays located throughout the bus that indicate current location, next stops, and transfer points.
Read related: How to use Paris city buses
The main tram lines in Paris, T1, T2 and T3a and T3b, are also fully accessible for wheelchairs. As such, learning how to use them can be a great way to get around the outer edges of the city.
Airports and accessibility:
ADP (Paris Airports) offers a simple guide for passengers with reduced mobility and the disabled on how to get to and from Paris airports. You can download PDF files from the site with detailed information on the services available for Paris airport passengers with special needs.
Places of interest, attractions and accommodation: the label “Tourism and disability”
In 2001, the French Ministry of Tourism defined an official set of accessibility criteria, the ‘Tourism and Disability’ label. Hundreds of Paris establishments have been accredited with the label, making it easy for passengers with particular needs to quickly identify accessible Paris attractions, restaurants or hotels.
Click here for a list of accessible sights, attractions and accommodations in Paris
What about renting a car?
If you are interested in driving in the French capital, read the pros and cons of renting a car in Paris. As I explain, it can be a good option for visitors with extremely limited mobility, but it also has some downsides.
More information for travelers with disabilities or limited mobility:
This Sage Traveling page, written by a travel writer who is in a wheelchair, is a clear and comprehensive resource describing how to get around and enjoy Paris.
