Transportation and accommodation

The road, by car and motorcycle

In this section, we'll try to give you as much guidance as possible, but please bear in mind that the number of wheelchair spaces on public transport is often limited. What's more, adapted services must generally be requested 48 hours in advance. France has yet to achieve universal accessibility, and although some progress has been made, fluidity and ease of use are not the daily lot of disabled travelers.

The Association des Sociétés Françaises d'Autoroutes et d'ouvrages à péage (ASFA) has published a guide for disabled drivers on its website. A complete list of services is provided, depending on your itinerary.

Information at www.autoroutes.fr/fr/services-aux-personnes-a-mobilite-reduite.htm

You'll find online contact details for the main automotive fitters and equipment manufacturers. For information or regional addresses, don't hesitate to contact them, and get a quote.

Take your car with you

A priori, it's the choice of freedom: schedules, itineraries, visits, number of passengers... Especially when your vehicle is adapted to your specific needs. But a responsible freedom. There's no point in imagining that you'll be able to set off with peace of mind if you've neglected to have your car serviced, and if you don't have the necessary equipment on board for emergency repairs (sometimes required by the legislation of certain countries). Your mechanic is your partner, and many websites offer checklists. Freedom also means being cautious about driving time, not stubbornly and dangerously trying to arrive at a specific time. Finally, it also means finding out about the road conditions in the town or region you want to visit. Another source of responsibility: the car budget (petrol, ferries, parking, various taxes), which will supplement your accommodation, catering and sightseeing budget.

Renting a car

In principle, it's easy to rent a car when you buy your plane, train or boat ticket. Either on the same website, or through a travel agency. However, if you need to rent an adapted car, it's a real hassle. Firstly, because the mobility-impaired traveller is not a priority (many rental companies obviously have a limited number of cars in their fleet). Secondly, at best, precisely because of the small number of cars available, you really need to make arrangements well in advance. In short, go to a rental agency and state your requirements.

By motorcycle
HMS - HANDICAP MOTARDS SOLIDARITÉ

11, avenue du Maréchal Foch

BURES-SUR-YVETTE & 03 29 39 40 62
www.handicaps-motards-solidarite.com

Office hours: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Created in 1995, this association enables physically handicapped people to obtain or regularize their motorcycle license. HMS provides motorcycles and sidecars with interchangeable fittings to make up for the lack of fitted vehicles at motorcycle schools. The sidecar (Honda 1100 Pan European) is adapted for paraplegia, amputation or paralysis of an upper or lower limb. The solo bikes - Suzuki 500 GSE equipped for lower-limb handicaps and Honda 500 CB equipped for upper-limb handicaps - are equipped for upper- or lower-limb amputation or paralysis.

The plane

Even if in many people's minds air travel is often synonymous with distant journeys, it's also possible to fly within France! While directives and declarations of intent follow one another, armchair travellers are faced with a number of difficulties, especially as services vary from airport to airport. Once on board, don't count on any special privileges: you won't be able to choose your seat any more than anyone else. During the flight, you won't be able to leave your seat or access the toilets, whose dimensions are generally incompatible with
reduced mobility.

Nevertheless, airlines have made considerable efforts in recent years, but it's clear that you won't find the same facilities on board an ATR 42 or 72 as you will on board a 747 or A380, or whether you're flying a regional or national
airline. We therefore strongly recommend that you specify your specific needs when booking. Air France makes every effort to ensure that its aircraft toilets are wheelchair-accessible.

The code of good practice signed by the main French airlines in May 2000 has raised their awareness of the needs of disabled people and their right to transport. However, there is still a long way to go, as some airlines are sometimes forced by commercial objectives to cut back on services to passengers, particularly those with disabilities.

Accommodation

When it comes to information on adapted accommodation, the Comités de Tourisme Régionaux or Départementaux, in conjunction with the tourist offices of each town, do a great deal of work: creating specific brochures, monitoring certification...
In this guide, we have endeavored to show you how to retrieve this information.
What's more, while good practice is progressing, particularly in terms of staff training, many establishments (notably cafés and restaurants) are only affordable if they have a terrace, but remain inaccessible for lack of adapted room(s) or toilets up to standard. We'll do our utmost to provide you with as much information as possible on the facilities available in the various establishments, as well as on staff training, so that you can plan your stay to suit your needs and enjoy a relaxing, fun-filled vacation. In addition, Tourisme & Handicap certifications (with details of the disabilities concerned) will be highlighted as an indicator of confidence.

Hotels

The major hotel chains have taken up the challenge of accessibility, particularly in terms of motor disabilities: since then, almost all the chains operating in France have made the necessary adjustments. However, almost all hotels have removed the disability criteria from their reservation forms, which often means that those concerned have to contact telephone platforms that are often overtaxed. Smaller accommodation providers, even those with quality labels, often forget to include disability criteria: it's up to you to phone, fax or e-mail us with your specific requirements.

The boat

Ferry crossing? Cruise on a liner? River trip on a barge?

Boat travel has its users, its enthusiasts and its die-hards! But to claim that it's the most suitable means of transport for people with reduced mobility, there's a line we won't cross, even if - in the same way as able-bodied holidaymakers - disabled people are passengers, as specified in European Parliament regulation 1177/2010 on the rights of passengers at sea and on inland waterways. Article 6 states: "In the light of Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in order to give disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility the opportunity to travel by sea and inland waterway under conditions comparable to those of other citizens, rules should be established to ensure non-discrimination and assistance during their journey. Such persons should therefore be accepted on board and not refused carriage, except on safety grounds established by the competent authorities. They should be entitled to assistance in ports and on board passenger ships. In the interests of social integration, such assistance should be provided free of charge. Carriers should establish conditions of access, preferably using the European standardization system " Please note that this regulation applies to Member States. As with other modes of transport, you will be asked to present yourself in advance (the carrier must stipulate this). Guide dogs travel with their owners, provided they have been notified at the time of booking, and are in possession of their passport and up-to-date vaccination certificate.

The train

Travelling by train is certainly one of the most convenient ways for people with reduced mobility to get around.

Buying tickets

If you have difficulty getting around, you can book or buy your journey online and receive your ticket free of charge at home. If you have an Internet connection, go to www.oui.sncf and book online while benefiting from the advantages linked to your civil disability card: discount for a companion, guide dog or reservation of a dedicated wheelchair space. You can also get information, book and buy your ticket over the phone and have it delivered to your home by calling 3635 (free call). You can collect your tickets from all SNCF stations, ticket machines and stores right up to the moment of departure. To do this, please make a note of the reference number of your travel file, which was given to you when you placed your order, and take the bank card used for payment with you.

If you book your ticket on www.oui.sncf, you can print it out yourself, avoiding the queues at ticket offices and the stamping process, and getting direct access to your seat on the train. As the printed ticket is nominative, it is important that you are able to prove your identity when
checking at the platform or on board. Be sure to bring valid photo ID with you: tickets are neither exchangeable nor refundable, and are valid only for the date and train indicated on the ticket.

Discounts and benefits

Discharged soldiers, war pensioners and their companions (supporting documents issued by the Departmental Offices for Veterans and Victims of War): 25% to 45% disability. Holders of a blue-crossed disability card benefit from a 50% discount. 50% disability and over. Holders of a red-crossed disability card are entitled to a 75% discount. 85% disability or more. A disability card with two red bars entitles the passenger and companion to a 75% discount. 100% disability. Holders of a disability card bearing two blue bars are entitled to a 75% discount on their ticket, and free travel
for their companion or guide dog. Disabled civilians and their companions (supporting documents issued by the prefectures): 80% disability or more. Holders of a disability card benefit from the same reductions as everyone else, while their companion receives a 50% reduction on the price of the ticket. 80% disability or more with "tierce personne advantage". Discounts for the disabled passenger are general, but the accompanying person is entitled to free travel. 80% disability or more with "cécité étoile verte" (green star blindness). Holders of a disability card bearing the mention "blindness", "green star" or both benefit from the reductions granted to all. Companions and guide dogs are admitted free of charge.
Wheelchair users and their companions. They can access the dedicated area, generally in first class with a 2nd class ticket. For disabled passengers, the discount is calculated on the full fare of the ticket (excluding any supplements, such as reservations) on long-distance trains other than the TGV and on TERs, and on the TGV on the full fare of the class used.

Please note: the cardholder and his/her valid companion must travel together on the same route and in the same class. In addition, free travel for certain companions does not exempt them from paying for seat reservations on trains subject to compulsory booking.

Luggage service

Simply call our baggage service to pick up your luggage wherever you want it and bring it to your destination within 24 hours. This service can be purchased at SNCF stations and stores at the same time as your train ticket. You can also request it by telephone on 3635 from 7am to 9pm, paying by credit card. The service is provided door-to-door, with a limit of 3 pieces of ordinary luggage and 1 piece of bulky luggage per passenger. However, many passengers have reported delays or losses when using the service: stick your labels on very firmly! Discharged soldiers and war pensioners holding a double red bar or double blue bar disability card are entitled to free transport of a wheelchair or buggy without motor, on presentation of a special authorization issued by the SNCF. If you hold a Senior card, you will benefit from a special fare for your 2nd and 3rd pieces of luggage. The Faciléo accompaniment service offers passengers with a temporary loss of mobility (under 18s, over 60s and pregnant women), accompaniment from home or accommodation to the train, and baggage handling (up to a maximum of 3 items). You can obtain a 50% tax deduction by paying with a pre-financed Chèque Emploi Service or by requesting an invoice.

Station services

The SNCF organizes a personal assistance service (this may also apply in the case of a leg cast or an elderly person). Call 36 35 and arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. Relay is provided at the arrival station.

Adapted parking space

At every station, at least one parking space is reserved for vehicles with a European Parking Card. It is usually located in front of the station or in the nearest parking lot. Please remember to affix your card before leaving your car. Several hundred stations are equipped to welcome disabled passengers: access ramps, adapted toilets, assistance in the station... You can consult the list of facilities station by station on the SNCF website dedicated to the disabled: click on the initial of your departure and arrival station in the alphabetical list to find out all about the facilities and services available. Passengers who have reserved a "wheelchair" space will always receive assistance at the station. On the day of your departure, present yourself at the reception desk approximately 30 minutes before the train's departure. Free for holders of a disability card; chargeable for others. Please note: it is important to respect booking deadlines to enable our staff to help you get on and off the train in the best possible conditions.

Blind or partially sighted

Some stations have special facilities, which you can find out about at the reception desk. For example, there is an orientation system with sound guidance beacons that make it easy to get to the reception desk. Vigilance strips alert you to the proximity of the tracks.

Deaf or hard of hearing

To facilitate communication with station staff, it's important to inform them of your disability, but there are also special facilities for you: travel information is provided in visual form - timetables, signposts, etc. If you're hard of hearing, and your hearing aid has a T position, you can use the magnetic loop counters at some stations to communicate better with staff. You'll easily recognize them as they are marked with a pictogram of a crossed-out ear.

Passengers with reduced mobility

At the entrance to equipped stations (see www.oui.sncf), information and guidance signs indicate all services and how to get there. There are several routes marked with the "wheelchair" pictogram, chosen for their accessibility: kerb-crossing boats, inclined planes, seats in waiting rooms or on platforms, handrails, accessible self-service elevators, stairlifts or goods elevators that can be used with assistance, specially-designed passageways for crossing tracks and call points for assistance, etc. Other facilities: counters with lowered counters and shelves, adapted toilets, lowered telephone booths... For those who tire of standing, wheelchairs are available at the reception desks of most major stations: elevators are often found on platforms to make it easier for wheelchair users to get on and off. But beware: not all lifts are operational in smaller stations.

Group travel

Remember to indicate the number of wheelchair users and those who are able to use a passenger seat on the train when booking and purchasing your ticket.

The SNCF Accès Plus service
Accès Plus is a personalized service reserved for people with a disability card, holders of a "war pensioner-reformed" card, people with a priority card, people who have difficulty standing or parking a vehicle, and people arriving at the station with their own wheelchair. You'll benefit from a free reception service at the station and accompaniment to the train, with your luggage carried on board, provided it weighs less than 15 kilos. Contact us by telephone (minimum 48 hours in advance). The list of accessible stations is available at: www.accessibilite.sncf.com

For further information SNCF - 0 890 640 650 (€0.11 incl. VAT/min) or 0 805 50 60 70 Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (free service and call) - www.accessibilite.sncf.com - [email protected]