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logwrd-.gif (120 bytes)General Accessibility in Paris and in France
Main Cities an Tourist Regions
Accessibility in: 

Check our new website at the address:
"Accessible Destinations: Europe: France"

HOTELS

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

TRANSPORTS

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

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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