Travelers with Special Needs
France extends a sincere welcome for persons who use
wheelchairs, have other mobility restrictions, are sight- or
hearing-impaired, or otherwise need special assistance. An effort
has been made in public places to provide
access ramps, handicapped accessible restrooms, reserved
parking spaces, and specially-equipped telephone booths.
For a fee the organization
Les
Compagnons du Voyage will provide an
escort for children 3 and older and persons with limited mobility,
whether traveling by train, plane, underground railway, or bus.
Airlines offer free care for children over 4 years old traveling
alone on domestic flights, and the
SNCF
has "JVS" service on their main lines (a surcharge applies).
Using Trains
Railway stations have wheelchairs at reception areas, and will provide
boarding assistance on request. Specially reserved parking places are
set aside to facilitate access, while call boxes on selected platforms
can be used to request assistance. Larger stations have electric carts
and special ticket offices for people needing assistance, including,
for example, the hearing-impaired.
TGV
and Corail trains provide wheelchair positions in first class
compartments available to those with second class tickets. Also
available are special transfer seats for navigating inside the train.
Eurostar and Thalys trains offer discounts for adult escorts.
The underground rail systems of Rouen, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, and
the tramways of Nantes and Strasbourg are accessible to persons with
limited mobility.
Airports
All airports are able to accommodate passengers with special physical needs.
At the Paris airports ask for the AéroGuide for
handicapped travellers, which contains information about airport
accessibility, recommended itineraries, time requirements, distances,
possible obstacles, and a listing of special services.
Taxi Service
Some taxis have interiors specially equipped for the handicapped.
In Paris, call 01.47.08.93.50. In Lyon telephone 04.78.58.52.17.
Travelers with Special Needs