cbaird

I am traveling to France this summer and while there I would love to buy a painting for my home, which I am currently remodeling. I was hoping while in Paris I might find one I like. If I do though I am wondering, how to get it back? Could I buy just the canvas (unframed) and some type of roll up tube and carry it back on the plane? I will also have a whole week in in England before I head back so I would be carrying it around under alot of circumstances. Also if I carry it back on the plane, would that count as my "free" carryon luggage? If anyone has done this before I am sure there are some "art travel tips" I am missing. And perhaps you could tell me the best parts of Paris (or Provence as I am also staying there) in which to prowl for a large painting?
Thanks!

alihutch

Get them to send it to you.....

Judy

We've often done that and have always had the art shipped.

SuzChicago

Years ago before luggage restrictions, we would hand carry back large framed pieces and could always count on help by flight attendents in finding a place to stow things. Nowadays, I don't think you'd get through security w/o difficulty. Just have the piece shipped -- we did last year from Provence.

jo_ann

ditto on the shipping - they're accustomed to doing that. not worth risking damage or loss if you're schlepping it around!

txhomes

I've done it on every trip to Paris and Italy and the shop has done exactly as you stated - put it in a tube to carry home. I've bought oils on canvas and prints. This is what I love to bring back from our trips. I've never had any problem carrying the tube and my carry-on onto the plane. Sometimes I've even had a shopping bag and my carry-on and never had a problem.

Can't help you with any special neighborhood in Paris because I seem to buy what ever hits me - it could be the flea market, a street artist or a special shop. You will have fun shopping and enjoy your picture for years remembering your trip. We're going to Germany for the first time in Sept and I can't wait to find a special picture there.

sharona

We've brought back things rolled in tubes and also had already framed paintings shipped. Our tube did not count as a carry-on but it'll probably depend on your airline. We also had a piece of sculpture shipped home once. No problem and no duty either.

soogies

If it is large, I would have them just ship it to you.

We brought back a small watercolor from Bordeaux last year (maybe 12"x12") and just put it inside cardboard, padded it and packed it in the suitcase and then crossed our fingers that our luggage wouldn't be lost.

We have brought large antique maps back in tubes (maybe a 3" dia tube x 30") and brought them on the plane kinda stuffed inside my carry on bag. Once on board, we kept them in front of us (we always have bulkhead).

This was largely due to my DH and not wanting to wait for anything in the mail!

JoeCal

If it is not to late to chime in, I did exactly what you are talking about this past September. I purchased an oil painting at the market in Isle Sur Sorgue. (near Avignon in Provence). I rolled it up in cello-phane provided by the seller so the paint would not stick to itself and then purchased a tube in Vaison La Romaine (just because that is where I found the tube; I am sure tubes are available all over). I carried the thing all over for the next 4 weeks and flew home with it (the tube) as part of my carry on.

It was not a priceless painting but I love it and I would say it is about 2 feet by 3 feet in size. (? just guessing - the tube was awkward but not too long - about 3 ft). Got it home and mounted and it looks great on my wall!

kerouac

Absolutely no problem with an unframed painting. Even with a frame, if you buy something that fits in the x-ray machine, you will have no trouble taking it on a plane.

cbaird

Thank you all for your help, sounds like it is definately doable and I am really looking forward to having something so neat from my trip! It did not occur to me that the artist would be setup to ship it back either, which would be handy if I can bear to part with it! Or maybe I will get more than one and try both ways! I am definately going to go for it though, I have a freshly painted wall waiting for something large and I am not going to get anything until the trip