Access & Allies: Paris

Posted on June 25, 2019
by Guest Blogger

The best souvenirs of any trip are the stories that you bring home in your suitcase. SCI BC Peer Murray Siple has no shortage of extraordinary wheelchair travel tales to share. Follow his adventures around the world in this accessible travel series.

I took the wheelchair accessible Eurostar train which rockets from downtown London to downtown Paris via the Channel Tunnel in under two hours. I stayed in Montmartre at the Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacré-Coeur Hotel, hoping to see neighbourhoods that Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Henri Matisse had their own adventures in. Unfortunately, I arrived in Paris with the flu and spent the first few days in my room recovering. Hotel rooms in Paris are usually extremely small. Mine had a bed, closet, and just enough room to fit in one-way, then back into the roll-in shower to turn around get back into the room to leave again.

Save

Save

Save

Once I was mobile, a friend invited me out for Nuit Blanche, a dusk ’til dawn art festival that holds the entire city in its thrall. We first had to travel by non-accessible taxi (no wheelchair van taxis in Paris) to the outskirts of town to meet his friends from Central America then the plan was to walk and roll through the art displays all night. Soon enough, we encountered the many bridges or “passerelles,” over the canals. Most had stairs that I would have to be carried up by new friends—adventure is everywhere I guess—we made it without being dropped down stairs or being tipped into a canal. But by the time we reached downtown, Nuit Blanche was over.

The following day I rolled alone along the Seine past Notre Dame and to the Eiffel Tower whose elevator, of course, was under repair. Paris sidewalks are too narrow for wheelchairs, so I fought my way through the middle of side streets where dog excrement is a constant reality. I asked numerous people for a quick hand and “Why are you here?” was a typical response. Paris is many things but it’s not London, especially while using a wheelchair. Maybe if my French was better?  After a few photos, I left. Onto the next destination…

For more info on Murray’s interesting and accessible travel locations, read Access & Allies: London.

And, make sure to visit our Accessible Travel page for resources, videos and more!

Get Our Newsletter

Want the latest news about events, blogs, research and more? Sign up for our monthly newsletters to receive updates directly to your inbox!

Related Posts

PeerSAY: Wheeling in Wet Weather
October 9, 2025
Don’t let the rain put a damper on your plans! The hassle of wet clothes, squeaky wheels and slippery sidewalks is all too common for wheelchair users. Luckily, rain or shine, we’ve got you covered. We asked our SCI BC peer team how they modify, look fly, and stay dry!
Share This
Catheters For Free BC
October 7, 2025
If universal healthcare is free, why do we have to pay to pee? SCI BC member Andy Caswell started the Catheters For Free BC Foundation to urge the provincial government to fund single-use hydrophilic catheters—and he needs your help.
Share This
Exploring Made Easy: Access BC’s Virtual Tours Highlight BC Destinations
September 17, 2025
Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Access BC program partners with tourism associations to create virtual tours that make exploring BC more accessible for everyone.
Share This
Clearing the Haze
September 17, 2025
From research to real-life stories from peers, we’re hashing out the latest on cannabis to help you navigate the world of weed with confidence.
Share This
Spinal Cord Injury BC