Poste Restante

[pastelpainter]

Bonjour All,

Has anyone used the 'hold mail' service of La Poste and, if so, is it best to arrange in person at a bureau or can one do it easily online? Furthermore, if you have used the service, does it 'work'? I seem to be a person of little faith when it comes to these things.

Many thanks for any information...

[Brian]

According to La Poste, you simply get the letter or package sent to your name at the address of your chosen post office,  making sure that Poste Restante is clearly incorporated in the address.

If it were me, I'd try a test post to myself before relying on it!

If you're from round these parts, I have always found that the staff at the Bureau de Poste in Boulevard Strasbourg in Montmorillon are very helpful.

[Brian]

Reading through La Poste's website again, it looks as if they will hold your items for 15 days. I imagine they'll be turned into an offering at the shrine of Marianne after that.
You'll need a proof of identity when you go to collect. When dealing with French bureaucracy, I find a combination of passport, driving license, hamster's birth certificate and inside leg measurement of one's maiden uncle usually does the trick.

[Jane]

Reading through La Poste's website again,  it looks as if they will hold your items for 15 days. I imagine they'll be turned into an offering at the shrine of Marianne after that.
You'll need a proof of identity when you go to collect.  When dealing with French bureaucracy,  I find a combination of passport,  driving license,  hamster's birth certificate and inside leg measurement of one's maiden uncle usually does the trick.

 We have all this to look forward to

[pastelpainter]

Thanks Jane and BHouse, it's very kind of you and I'll bear all of this in mind. I'll be relying on the Adriers bureau and perhaps a reminder to our kind facteur will help as well ?

[Brian]

The Adriers bureau de Poste is a subsidiary of the one in L'Isle Jourdain and has limited opening hours. The chap that usually runs it is very helpful though. I think a test letter would definitely be a good idea!

Brian