We can help you send a bike, bike box or luggage within France if you're cycling a one-way route. Here's what to do.
This page relates to shipping WITHIN France. For shipping bikes to/from France, see here.
Daily luggage transfer services: Some (but not all/many) routes in France have luggage transfer services during the summer. You can use my bespoke service to ask about those. Where van services like this do not exist, local taxi services can usually be booked by your hotel or B&B, though this can work out expensive if you're not in a group.
For one-way deliveries (e.g sending your bike box or luggage from the start of your route to the end, or returning a hire bike):
Mondial Relay is a network of automated lockers, as well as corner stores, service stations and small businesses, that act as pickup and dropoff points. You book online, drop your bike/luggage off at the most convenient Mondial Relay outlet and then pick it up at the other end. It does need to be securely packed or wrapped. Note that if you need luggage or a bike box moving, then the lockers may be too small and you may need to use a physical outlet (corner store, service station etc) as a drop off point. The system relies on vans/couriers so, like traditional courier services, it may not be ideal if you need to guarantee delivery on a certain day, but it's relatively fast if you have a few days in between your start and end points. This is a French service but it does cross borders into Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland etc.
Try also the local post office (La Poste) if you are already in France – they should be able to arrange your shipment through the Chronopost service (similar to Parcel Force in the UK). Again, it may be easier to look at the ones above if you don't speak French.
Try pricing via Send My Bag if you are needing to move a bike box or luggage from France to or from another European country. It's an English-language website. You would need an address at each end (e.g. a hotel with a reception desk to receive the delivery).
There are various 'man in van' services operating in France. Usually, they go between Spain/France/Portugal and the UK. You may get lucky if you need a one-way bike (or bike box) transfer along a particular French route and the dates match. The best Facebook group I've found is this one.
If you need a bike box or bag, see this page or go here for Amazon options.
If you get stuck, email lyn@freewheelingfrance.com and I'll try and help.
You might also find this video useful ...
