Paris Travelers With Disabilities

The French Ministry of Tourism includes a branch called Tourisme et Handicap, 43 rue Marx Dormoy, 75018 Paris (☎01 44 11 10 41; www.tourisme-handicaps.com), which is devoted to providing information about access for disabled travelers at tourist sights and amenities in Paris and its suburbs. Disabled travelers can stay in Paris on a budget but may pay more than the average backpacker.

Those with disabilities should inform airlines and hotels of their disabilities when making reservations; some time may be needed to prepare special accommodations. Airports in France have published a guide for passengers with restricted mobility (mobilité réduite) that can be found at www.aeroportsdeparis.fr under the heading “ Départ.” Call ahead to restaurants, museums, and other facilities to find out if they are wheelchair-accessible (accessible en chaise roulante). Guide-dog owners should inquire about quarantine policies of each destination country.

Rail is probably the most convenient form of transport for disabled travelers in Europe: many stations have ramps, and some trains have wheelchair lifts, special seating areas, and specially equipped toilets. The French national railroad offers wheelchair compartments on all TGV (high-speed) and Conrail trains. All Eurostar, some InterCity (IC), and some EuroCity (EC) trains are wheelchair-accessible, and CityNightLine trains, French TGV, and Conrail trains feature special compartments. For those who wish to rent cars, some major car-rental agencies (e.g., Hertz) offer hand-controlled vehicles.

Accessible Journeys, 35 W. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, USA (☎+1-800-846-4537; www.disabilitytravel.com). Designs tours for wheelchair users and slow walkers. The site has tips and forums for all travelers.
Flying Wheels Travel, 143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060, USA (☎+1-507-451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com). Specializes in escorted trips to Europe for people with physical disabilities; plans custom trips worldwide.
Mobility International USA (MIUSA), P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440, USA (☎+1-541-343-1284; www.miusa.org). Provides a variety of books and other publications containing information for travelers with disabilities.
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH), 347 5th Ave., Ste. 610, New York City, NY 10016, USA (☎+1-212-447-7284; www.sath.org). An advocacy group that publishes free online travel information. Annual membership (US$49, students and seniors US$29) buys access to members-only section of website as well as discounts with companies facilitating travel with disabilities.