Wednesday, July 17, 2019

PARIS BY WHEELCHAIR -- Part 6

PROGRESS MADE, BUT MANY CHALLENGES REMAIN




Les Halles, the market stands that served as Paris’ belly for centuries, are gone.
Rue Montorgueil lives on.

While Paris is famed for the temporary food markets that usually set up twice per week in various neighborhoods – Marches Bastille and Daumensnil are fine examples – Rue Montorgueil is a gourmet fresh and prepared food marche the opens every day in permanent quarters.

Americans used to drive through fast food and overly processed items at the grocer will weep at the amount of organic produce, fabled French fromages, chocolates, pastries, wine shops and more.

Wheelchair access is not perfect, but there are a decent amount of curb ramps and the majority of shops and restaurants can be entered on level ground.

The main street has limited vehicular access, so many folks walk and roll along it rather than the narrow, crowded sidewalks.

Most of the side alleys have hip new restaurant by young chefs while the main drag tends to have more stayed and steady bistrots, brasseries and the like.

Because the buildings are old, finding a restroom that isn’t down a long flight of stairs, or sometimes up several steps, is a challenge for wheelers.

Thankfully, some places without accessible restrooms have deals with neighboring properties that have main floor, zero threshold, generally accessible restrooms.

If worse comes to worse, roll into Paul – a chain but respected boulangerie-pastisserie – has a great family restroom, a level entrance and a front counter staff that will buzz you into the accessible restroom whether you buy a baguette and croissant or not.

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