When you
move to Paris, it's easy to forget that the way they do things here might not be the same as how you did it back where you lived before. A good example is dealing with mail. How do you know how you can receive mail at your new address? Will there be a mailman who will send you letters and packages? If you're living in an apartment building, how can you ensure that you'll get your mail safely, especially when you're out? It's good to know the answers to these before you settle down in Paris.
Find The Nearby Postbox
First things first, know where the nearest postboxes are. Unlike the red pillar boxes in the UK, they're smaller and have a more squarish shape. This may seem like the postbox has less space for all your mail, but it's not. The Parisian postal service works efficiently enough that there will always be space for people to leave letters in the postboxes. At the same time, these postboxes are often the best places to send a letter in
Paris. Even when your apartment has a designated spot for mail, going to the postbox is still a better guarantee that your mail will be sent.
Check with Your Real Estate Agency
When you
rent an apartment in Paris, you might hire a real estate agency to help you out. This does make it easier for you to find a place and deal with the rental process, after all. You'll have fewer problems hiring an agency than looking for an apartment on your own. At the same time, many agencies provide more services apart from assisting in the rental process. It's fairly common for real estate agencies to help deal with the mail of their clients. It's either they provide their own postal delivery services or offer assistance in learning how to mail stuff from your new place.
Talk with Your Landlord
Another common option in dealing with mail in Paris is to talk with your landlord. Since you're new to the home or the apartment building, your landlord ought to know and ins and outs of the place. Including, of course, how mail is sent and received. Perhaps they can help you find the nearest postbox or designated area for mail. They'll set the rules for you too, allowing you to know what to do when you want to send mail or you're expecting to receive one. Either way, it's always better to talk with your landlord every time you move into a new apartment.
Let The Receptionist Know
Now, what if mail arrives but you're not at home? This is a fairly common occurrence, right? So what do you do if this happens? Well, if your apartment building has a receptionist, then let them know about it. They'll deal with the mail for you until you arrive back home. Do note, however, that not all apartment buildings have receptionists. And even if yours has one, you still need to follow the rules. It's possible they don't allow the receptionist to receive your mail on your behalf, for example. So make sure to know the rules before letting others deal with your mail for you.
Ask Your Neighbors for Help
Travel through the various
neighborhoods in Paris and you'll soon realize that most apartment buildings are condensed. There are the occasional penthouses and mansions, but not a lot. In most residences in the city, you're situated right next to your neighbor. You practically share walls, and it's this closeness that can benefit you when it comes to your mail. If, for instance, your building doesn't have a receptionist, you can always ask your neighbor to receive your mail for you when you're out. For this, however, you need to maintain a cordial relationship with your neighbors.
Know Who to Call
Finally, if you can't find anyone to receive your mail while you're out, it's better to know who to call. Be it the postal service or the delivery courier service, it's best to know how to contact them. If they send a parcel to your home while you're out, they'll either go back at another time or leave it by your door (or the designated space for mail). This doesn't guarantee the safety of your mail, however, it poses many risks of theft. So to ensure your mail's safety, contact those who might've delivered the package in the first place.
One thing you need to learn upon moving to Paris is how to deal with your mail. From sending letters to receiving packages, there are a handful of ways how you can deal with mail in Paris without any hassle.
