The French post, La Poste, generally works quickly and efficiently. Letters can be sent economy or priority and destinations within France usually arrive 3-5 days for economy, the next day for priority. In large post offices there are automatic stamp machines, telephone booths, Minitels, photocopiers and internet stations (Cyberposte service). It has a comprehensive English-language website.
La Poste also offers popular banking services.
Sending Mail
To write an address:
Line 1: Full name and title of addressee
Line 2: Company name (if business letter)
Line 3: Street number followed by street name
Line 4: Postal code and town or city name
Saint and Sainte may be shortened to "ST" and "STE".
Example:
Person NAME
11 Rue du General de Gaulle
75001 PARIS
Post Codes
A French postcode is a five digit number. The first two numbers indicate the département number and the last three the area. In Paris, the final two digits indicate the arrondissement number (75001, 75002,... 75020). To find a postal code, use La Poste's site.
Prices
The letter rate can only be used for documents, correspondence and documentation-related items (CDs, diskettes) under three kilograms in weight. Parcels can be delivered by either service up to 30kg in weight and 2 metre in length, breadth, or height.
Stamps (timbres) come in a variety of price points including books of 12 (carnet) and rolls of 500 stamps from post offices, newsagents (tabacs) and La Poste website.
The blue stamp (timbre bleu) is used to send letters within the EU and to Switzerland. It is possible to send letters of up to 20g with one blue stamp. Prices differ between destinations. Use the postage calculator to estimate.
- Letter within France - €0.57
- Letter to continental European countries - €0.75
- Letter to outside of Europe - €0.87
Post Offices
Post offices (bureau de poste) are located throughout the country and can be found with La Poste's office locater. There are 125,000 street letterboxes across France.
Mail Forwarding
Request a change-of-address form (faire-suivre) to forward mail to the new address. Forwarding costs about €20 for 6 months, and €40 for 1 year.
- Bank branch
- Mobile phone company
- Mutuelle (health insurance)
- insurance company
- Employer
- Magazines/newspapers subscriptions
Registration
People with a carte de séjour have eight days to inform the préfecture of a new address. The site, impots.gouv.fr, allows you to register a change of address, sign up for mail-forwarding, and receive a host of other services.
Update 13/02/2013
When you move internationally you are taking a big step. Lots of things are changing and you have a million things to think about and take care of. If you are able to select a top of the line moving company that moves for a modest price, it can take a big weight of your shoulders in busy times.
Our network of international removal companies can move your furniture & possessions to France and anywhere overseas.
Filling in the form will allow you to request up to 5 quotes from various moving companies. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.