This may seem like a silly question, but I want to buy a painting or two from street artists in Paris and was wondering how to carry them back on the plane. Do the artists include tubes to roll them in if they aren't framed? (or am I mixed up with posters?) Can you ship them back in special boxes? Has anyone had any difficulty with this?

Yes, <BR> <BR>I usually use Fedex. THey have great cardboard tubes that are perfect for rolling up a painting. A framed painting I would buy from an art gallery and have them ship it. Alternatively, you can roll up a painting and put inside your luggage, but you risk "squishing" Good luck

Thanks Jim. Are there alot of Fedex places around Paris or can I get it mailed from the hotel? These questions may seem silly, but I am a novice going to Europe alone next June and I think of all these trivial things in advance. <BR>Thanks again.

I am surprised that FedEx does not seem to have a listing of locations anywhere on its website. <BR> <BR>But MailboxesEtc does list these four locations in Paris: <BR> <BR>MBE FR003 <BR>117 BOULEVARD VOLTAIRE <BR>75011 PARIS, FRANCE <BR>Phone: +33-1-4009-2159 <BR>Fax: +33-1-4009-2990 <BR> <BR>MBE FR012 <BR>69 BOULEVARD SAINT MARCEL <BR>75013 PARIS, FRANCE <BR>Phone: +33-1-4408-6868 <BR>Fax: +33-1-4707-4747 <BR> <BR>MBE FR031 <BR>80 RUE LEGENDRE <BR>75017 PARIS, FRANCE <BR>Phone: +33-1-4263-2610 <BR>Fax: +33-1-4263-2620 <BR> <BR>MBE FR043 <BR>108, RUE DAMREMONT <BR>75018 PARIS, FRANCE <BR>Phone: +33-1-4492-8097 <BR>Fax: +33-1-4494-8099 <BR> <BR>...and La Poste sells tubes as well as any "papeterie". <BR> <BR>By the way, it were up to me, personally, I would simply carry tubes home on the airplane. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Alma, for posters or prints, unframed, I have used the hard cardboard tubes sold in any one of the many paper/office supply/art stores in Paris. For framed works, these same stores sell some fairly inexpensive carrying cases which work well.

Some tips from someone who worked at a custom framing job for a few years: <BR> <BR>Euro measurements are in metric, so if you don't buy the piece already framed, you will not find a "standard sized frame" in the US(5x7-8x10-11x14 etc...)which means you will have to special order a frame, this can get very <BR>expensive. <BR> <BR>Rolling the paintings up is fine, temporarily. Oils and acrylics will sometimes crack when you re-stretch them for framing, if kept rolled for too long. Watercolors will have "ripples" when framed, especially larger pieces. All are best stored flat, especially for long periods of time, between acid-free board or acid-free paper(if they are vauable, or just to reduce general deterioration) <BR> <BR>

Hi Alma, <BR> <BR>I knew I wanted to buy artwork from street artists as well when I went to Paris this past summer. I bought a poster/picture box from my local post office before I left because they come flat. (FedEx boxes also come flat but their boxes are huge!) It stashed away in the bottom of my suitcase for the trip over and I had decided if I ended up not needing it I could just pitch it or store other souvenirs inside for the trip home. It worked out great! I bought 3 watercolors that I rolled up and stored in the box along with stuffing socks in the ends so the box would hold its shape in my suitcase for the trip home. The 3 pictures arrived home with me safe and sound. Just another option to consider. <BR> <BR>I also highly recommend taking ziplock bags for anything you buy that is in glass, like jams, honey, perfume, wine, etc. And then pack them inside socks for the trip home. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!!

For framed paintings get a carton at a supermarket and and cut the carton down to size and seal with a strong tape. If buying more than one, wrap each one separately and tape both together. Carry them on board with you so they don't get squashed. If to large for overhead, let the attendent store it for you.