Accessibility
in:
Check our new website at the address:
"Accessible Destinations: Europe: France"
Accomodation
in France are not so much expensive as in other European countries;
at least you can have a wider choice due to the good level
of the 1 and 2 stars French hotels. Due to the
French law, hotels must have one or more accessible room but
they must have a bathrooms with bathtub, in the best
case with handrails.
Also the newest hotels have no roll in shower. In Paris
we know only one hostel equipped with roll in shower.
It is not centrally located and, being an hostel it is not
elegant. The facilities for both wheelchair users and walkers
are excellent
The
public transport system in the main French towns are generally
well organized and in Paris the network includes the underground
railway, one of the largest in Europe..
Paris
Metro and RER ( Underground train)
The Metro is a little much more accessible than the London
Underground; expecially in the downtown area, which is the
more interesting for tourists, some of the stations are accessible
by lift. The RER, the other underground railway net, connected
to the Metro, it is much more accessible (expecially line
B) by lift. These lifts must be operated by the RER staff.
The staff can be contacted by the emergency microphone.
Taxis
In Paris the taxis are standard 4 doors cars, the drivers
are usually nervous and they do not understand English or
very few of them understand it. The fares are cheap compared
with other European towns. The use of a taxi it will be possible
only if the disabled traveller can move from the wheelchair
to the car seat, the wheelchair must be folded and placed
inside the car trunk.
Buses
The low floor wheelchair accessible buses are few. We have
informations about only one line with these buses, the # 20
from GareSt Lazare to Gare de Lyon passing near Opéra,
Montmartre and Bastille. The coaches are very frequent expecially
during working days from early morning to evening.
The low floor buses are now increasing and the RATP (the public
company providing the public transport system in Paris) is
expected to add new lines within during year 2000.
Minivans
with driver
We can book for our guests minivans with lift and with and
English speaking driver. We use for our guests special vans
with powered lift, in few cases we use vans with ramp. The
vans can transports up to 8 passengers plus our driver. We
calculate our rates for maximum 7 pax, because during the
sightseeings and the excursions a guide'll use the seat near
the driver. In case the party doesn't ask for the guide the
available seats'll be 8. In few case the vans can transport
less than 8 pax. Usually vans can take in up to 2 or 3 wheel
chairs.
Rent
a Car
We can rent a car from many companies like Avis, Hertz,
Maggiore, at very competive rates. Cars with hand controls
are very few and available on demand. A very little
number of accessible minivans with lift to be
rented for self driving (by an ablebodied driver)are
available too; they are available for travel in
France and in the other European contries. In some cases
you can pick up the van in Paris and drop off in Nice
avoiding the travel back to Paris, but you will be charged
for the extra costs. |
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Trains
The French speed train TGV have a special compartment where
a person in a wheelchair can stay with an ablebodied companion.
Also other major trains have accessible places for wheelchair
users.
The Eurostar train to London is accessible and the main
French railway stations are accessible too.
The railways staff will provide assistance at departure and
arrival by portable lifts. This service is free but must be
booked in advance. Accessible Europe can book for you the
special places and the assistance service all around France.
Ferries
Ferries from France to England are accessible by lift access
from the car deck to the upper decks of the ship.
SIGHTSEEINGS AND ASSISTANCE
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On
request we can supply expert guides for your sightseeings
or excursions in all major languages and handling by experienced
staff on arrival and departure in each French port of call.
We can provide medical and nurse assistance, book for you
manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs or scooters to rent,
provide tickets for any artistic show, event or fair all around
Italy, in few world we can provide you what you need.
Information
subject to change without notice; please click
here to feedback about wrong links and information, thank
you!
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