Paris when you can't walk far

Facts checked on October 10, 2026

For people who can walk, but not far: with a cane or a rollator, with bad knees or a heart or lung condition, or who simply tire quickly. Paris has long metro corridors, many stairs, and big sights that ask a lot of walking. This page lists what the operators themselves say can shorten the walking, where you can borrow a seat, and what to check before you go.

Opening times, prices and lifts change, so confirm the details before your trip.

Getting around without long walks

Buses are usually the easiest way. The stops are at street level, so there are no station stairs or corridors. The Paris tourist office counts 63 fully accessible bus lines, each with a ramp on every bus and raised kerbs at nearly all stops. Lines 40 and 48 are not fully accessible.

The metro: only line 14 is fully accessible. It runs from Orly airport through Gare de Lyon and Madeleine to Saint-Denis–Pleyel. On every other line, expect stairs and long corridors. Lifts do break down: check which ones are working before you set off.

Trams and RER A and B are listed as fully accessible. The Bonjour RATP app can filter routes for reduced mobility: choose “Reduced mobility”, then the mode of transport. RATP’s helpline is 3424 (7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm at weekends and on public holidays).

At SNCF stations (Transilien and mainline trains), book assistance through Assist’enGare at least 24 hours ahead.

Paris je t’aime: Public transport and disability (updated 9 July 2026)

Taxis door to door. Several companies carry passengers with reduced mobility, with drivers trained to help. G7 Access has more than 600 adapted vehicles. Book ahead to be sure of one.

Paris je t’aime: Accessible private transport (updated 7 July 2026)

The big sights, with less walking

Louvre

• Borrow a seat. Folding chairs, wheelchairs, a multifunctional rolling chair and canes are lent free at the Help Desk under the Pyramid, in exchange for ID.
• No queue, no fee. Disabled visitors and one companion get in free and skip the queue at the entrances, with proof of disability.
• Staff can walk you to the rooms from the Information Desk.
• Plan your route first: leaving the museum is final, and renovation work can make the lifts slower.

Louvre: Visitors with physical disabilities

Musée d’Orsay

• Get dropped close. Taxis and adapted vehicles can drop off and pick up at quai Anatole-France.
• No ticket needed. Disabled visitors and one companion get in free, with priority, by showing proof of disability to staff.
• Borrow a seat. Folding chairs and wheelchairs are lent free at the cloakroom, in exchange for ID. They can’t be reserved.
• Every area is reachable by lift or ramp, including the café, restaurant and shops. Canes are allowed throughout.

Musée d’Orsay: Accessibility services

Tour Eiffel

• Take the lift ticket to the second floor. The Tower says this route is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The stairs down are not.
• Rest on the first floor, where there are places to sit and food.
• Allow 10 to 20 minutes for the security check at the site entrance, before you reach the esplanade.
• Disabled visitors’ rate: €6 for the second-floor lift ticket when we checked. Bring proof; it may be asked for.

Tour Eiffel: Second-floor lift ticket

Tour Eiffel: Planning your visit

Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur

• Skip the 222 steps. The Funiculaire de Montmartre takes you from the bottom of the hill to the Basilica in 1 minute 30 seconds, for the price of a metro ticket. It runs every day from 6am to 12.45am.
• There is a lift into the Basilica, at the back, at 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre, open from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

Paris je t’aime: Funiculaire de Montmartre

Sacré-Cœur: Hours and directions

A boat on the Seine

• Batobus is hard if you can’t manage stairs. Its own FAQ says there are many stairs to the docks and boats at most stops, and that the Eiffel Tower stop is the only one with step-free access, by a ramp shared with vehicles. There are no reserved seats.
• If you go, board and leave at the Eiffel Tower stop. Ask Batobus before you book whether you can manage the boat itself: its FAQ also says boats are not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Batobus: FAQ

Before you go

• Check the lifts on your route on the day.
• Bring proof of disability for free or reduced entry and priority access.
• Book an adapted taxi ahead if you need one.
• Plan museum routes before going in: at the Louvre, leaving is final.
• Bring ID to borrow a seat at the Louvre or Orsay.

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