Under French law, La Poste is responsible for planning and developing France through its network of outlets. The aim of this public service mission is to provide a postal service to the entire population, throughout the country. French law lays down precise rules for carrying out this mission:
- Size: La Poste's network comprises at least 17,000 outlets nationwide.
- Accessibility: barring exceptional circumstances, no more than 10% of the population of a département may live more than five kilometres or twenty minutes' drive away from La Poste's nearest outlets, depending on traffic conditions in the area concerned.
- Adaptability: La Poste adapts its network of outlets, in particular by entering into local public or private partnerships, seeking the best economic and social efficiency.
In compliance with these legal obligations, La Poste's network of outlets must constantly adapt to the needs of the regions and the population. With more than 17,000 outlets, La Poste is France's biggest local network.
The latest accessibility report presented to the Observatoire National de la Présence Postale (ONPP) in January 2023 revealed that, in compliance with its legal obligations, 97% of the population live less than 5 kilometres or 20 minutes from a La Poste outlet.
As at 1 January 2023, La Poste's network of outlets included:
By enabling 97% of the population to have access to a La Poste outlet within 5 kilometres or 20 minutes by car of their home, La Poste is contributing to regional development and making its services accessible to all French people.
As at 1 January 2023, La Poste's network of outlets included:
6,965
POST OFFICES
413 of which had the France Services label
6,926
LA POSTE LOCAL AND INTER-MUNICIPAL AGENCIES
3,109
LA POSTE RELAIS OUTLETS
The postal presence contract is based on an original tripartite governance system that is regularly cited as a benchmark. It enables an ongoing dialogue to be organised between the State, the Association of French Mayors and La Poste, both at national level, within the National Postal Presence Observatory, and at regional level, within departmental committees with their own budgets.
The National Postal Presence Observatory is made up of 6 representatives of the French State, 6 representatives of French mayors, 6 members of parliament and 6 representatives of Le Groupe La Poste.
It is chaired by a member of parliament. It monitors compliance with legal obligations by checking that the contact point network complies with accessibility rules. It monitors the use of the equalisation fund. It liaises regularly with the departmental committees.
The departmental committees for regional postal presence are made up of 8 local elected representatives, a representative of La Poste and a representative of the State.
They ensure that the three-year postal presence contract is properly applied, by making sure that there is an effective postal presence within their department, and manage the equalisation fund.
As the main forum for dialogue between Le Groupe La Poste and elected representatives, the Departmental Commissions for Regional Postal Presence identify the needs of the population, give their opinion on La Poste's projects (network upgrading, growth of outlets, etc.) and deal with departmental priorities for the allocation of the equalisation fund.