Our public service missions

Thanks to our original model, we can provide the four public service missions for which the French government made us responsible in the law of 2 July 1990 and which are the cornerstones of our identity: the universal postal service, contributing to regional planning, Banking accessibility and press transportation and delivery.

But what exactly is a " public service mission " ?

It’s an activity carried out by or on behalf of a public authority (in this case the French government). The aim is to meet a need in the public interest. In La Poste’s case, this means working to serve the French people six days a week. It means ensuring post and parcels are collected and delivered throughout the country. It’s about helping the quality press remain sustainable and facilitating the spread of ideas. It means ensuring everyone has access to a bank.

A unique postal model was born out of this close relationship with the French government. This model allows us to serve the French people six days a week, to ensure post and parcels are collected and delivered throughout the country, to help the quality press remain sustainable and facilitate the spread of ideas, and to ensure everyone has access to a bank.

These missions are detailed in a text linking La Poste and the French government: the service contract.

Because La Poste keeps pace with society, this contract is updated every five years and signed by representatives of the two parties. The goal? To offer local services in keeping with the main principles of public service.

Yes, La Poste is changing. It is developing, giving employees new responsibilities and innovating. However, one goal lies at the heart of all this change: to make French people’s lives easier.