Question on disabled access (not transportation)

I%26#39;ve searched the forum, but can%26#39;t find quite the right info, so here I am.

One of our party of four has a problem with her foot that makes stairs difficult. When I was in Paris several years ago, I believe there was an elevator in the Arc du Triomphe that was only accessible to the disabled. And I seem to recall public toilets in Italy that required a special card (mag striped maybe?) to open them. Is there some kind of access card or handicap ID locals have? What%26#39;s the easiest and most unobtrusive way to establish disability at public sites? She has a blue disabled parking placard from the California DMV, but I can%26#39;t picture that meaning much to the sentinels at the Arc or Notre Dame tower.

I appreciate any input.

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Well there are no elevators at Notre Dame, so that is not important.

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At the Arc you do not need a card to use the elevator, many people report just asking. I suppose one could just ask and point at foot, thats what I would do. I doubt there would be any issue. The elevator does not go right to the top though, I think there is one flight fo stairs to the actual viewing platform outside on top.

I love Paris, but as you may have also come to realize , it is not a disabled friendly city, not the way we are used to here anyways.

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One has to walk about 19 steps ( from ticket counter) to get up to ground level to get to the elevator.

One doesn%26#39;t need handicap ID to use the elevator.

If your friend has the paper ID for handicap parking and a Dr. note saying that she is 100 % handicapped according to USA standards, she may be able to get discounted tickets and free entry to many museums and sites.

The blue disabled parking placard is useable if you are renting a car. Each city has different rules for use either you get to park free or the placard allows you to park in a handicap spot but you have to pay to park there. Do not hang it from your mirror place it low on driver%26#39;s front window.

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