5 Paris Wheelchair Accessible Attractions
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and looking for the best Paris wheelchair accessible places to visit, I have lots of recommendations for you. On our recent adventure, we had the best time and accessibility was so surprising, in the best possible way. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out my blog post on wheelchair assistance on the Eurostar and our review of a wheelchair accessible hotel in Paris.
Getting Around Paris in a Wheelchair
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Before we talk about where we went, we need to talk about getting around Paris as a wheelchair user. It was a lot easier than I expected. We took an Uber from the train station to the hotel, I’d recommend booking the biggest possible taxi on the app, and there are WAV options available.
To get around the rest of the time, we booked the Big Bus Tours for 48 hours which started on our first morning there. It was really convenient as the stop was just around the corner from our hotel near the Palais Garnier. It made it super easy to hop on and off and get around the main sights without having to deal with the Metro. The bus ran from 9-5 roughly so it was definitely the easiest way to get around and we got to see so much.
Our tickets included a bus tour too that started at 8pm from the Champs-Elysées and it was so much better than we expected. We thought it’d be the same tour just at night, but instead it went to different areas and we got to see the Moulin Rouge which was really exciting. It did include a boat tour during the day too but after we struggled to get on our evening cruise with my wheelchair, we decided not to bother.
For those looking to explore Paris in a more personal and flexible way, Airbnb Experiences offers a range of accessible, host-led activities across the city — from guided tours of iconic landmarks to intimate local experiences tailored to different needs. It’s a wonderful way to discover Paris at your own pace.
Paris Wheelchair Accessible Places to Visit
Musée du Louvre
We were really excited to visit the Musée du Louvre and it was so much better in person than I ever imagined.
This was honestly one of the most incredible places I’ve ever experienced. As a wheelchair user, I was amazed by how accessible the Louvre is, with lifts throughout the museum and even platform lifts to access smaller exhibitions.
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And yes, there’s a special wheelchair viewing area for the Mona Lisa so you can enjoy her up close without the crowds. Top tip, book the 9am slot and start at the top floor, we had the place almost to ourselves. Plus, there’s a whole shopping centre inside the Carrousel du Louvre that’s also wheelchair accessible, so you could easily spend hours on end here.
The Louvre is free for disabled people and their companions, like most attractions in Paris, just be sure to book a slot online first.
Hôtel des Invalides (Museum of War)
A really interesting museum packed of history. There are cobbles at the entrance which might make it tricky for some, but once inside, it’s smooth sailing. Most of the museum is fully accessible. Napoleon’s tomb isn’t wheelchair accessible unfortunately, but I managed to walk it while Alfie carried my chair, and it was completely mesmerising. Worth the effort if you can manage it.
It wasn’t on our original plan but with using the Big Bus Tour, it made it really easy to add something extra in. We didn’t book ahead and instead just turned up quite early in the day, it was free for us to enter.
Galeries Lafayette and the Glass Walk
One of the most beautiful shopping destinations I’ve ever seen, and it’s fully accessible but on weekends the lifts are a little bit of a nightmare. We even did the famous glass walkway, which is wheelchair friendly with a lift and lots of turning space and gives you the most magical view over the centre of the store. This was such a fun experience and completely free to do, we booked a slot online.
Palais Garnier
Just around the corner from where we stayed, the Palais Garnier is home to the story of the Phantom of the Opera and is every bit as magical in real life. I’m an absolute massive fan of the Phantom of the Opera, I’ve seen it at the West End a few times now so getting to see the place that inspired the story was truly mesmerising.
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In terms of accessibility, it’s a bit more challenging but definitely doable. You have to be escorted into the building and back out as the main lift is behind public access. It’s also a little tricky to actually get in with the pavement and slopes so I made sure to film that. With some planning and patience, it’s absolutely worth a visit.
The Palais Garnier was free for us to enter, but we did have to book a slot online.
Notre Dame
The iconic Notre Dame is surprisingly one of the easier spots to access. Wheelchair access is on the left side of the main entrance, and you skip the queue entirely. Inside it’s mostly level and easy to get around, although there is a small step on the way out. You can just exit the same way you came in and ask a staff member if needed. Go early to beat the crowds as we really struggled to move around.
The Notre Dame is free for anyone to enter.
Top Tip for Accessibility in Paris: The place where you want to go the most, is the one you should visit first thing in the morning. We used an Uber to make sure we got to the Louvre before opening (before the Big Bus Tour started) and it made for a much better experience.
There you have it, our top Paris wheelchair accessible places that made our trip unforgettable. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to see more, Paris has so much to offer for disabled travellers. Be sure to check out my other blog posts and videos for more detailed tips and reviews!
