Send postcards to friends back home using La Poste
Send a postcard home from France
Yellow and blue is the colour code to remember. La Poste, the French postal service, marks every branch with this signature combination, so you'll spot one from halfway down the street.
Opening hours vary by town, but most branches keep to 9 AM–6 PM on weekdays, often closing for an hour at lunch in smaller villages. Saturday mornings are usually covered too, until around midday. Sundays and public holidays? Everything's shut.
You can buy stamps (timbres) at any post office – or skip the queue entirely and head for a tabac instead. These tobacco shops are easy to find: look for the red, diamond-shaped sign hanging outside. Just ask for un timbre pour l'international and mention the country you're sending to.
Some souvenir shops also sell stamps alongside their selection of postcards – just ask at the counter while you’re paying.
For postcards, a stamp is all you need. Pop it on, then drop your card into any yellow post box. You'll find them dotted along most streets, outside cafés, and near town squares. Sending something bigger? That means a trip to the counter, where they'll weigh it and talk you through any customs paperwork.
Here's a local tip: not every French stamp looks the same. Ask at the counter for beaux timbres and you might walk away with a stamp featuring a chateau, a lavender field, or a slice of regional cheese. A small flourish for your postcard home.
