Send Art Supplies ahead to France for art wirkshop
 

I am attending an art workshop in Giverny. I will be traveling in Europe prior to the workshop and do not want to lug my supplies while traveling. I do not have an address to send materials. Is there a way to mail them to a shipping spot e.g. American Express?

Why not have them sent to the address of the art workshop?

Or your hotel in Giverny. American Express has all but disappeared in Paris.

It might be cheaper to buy the art supplies in France than having them shipped.

I don't think Amex does that, for cardholders, they can send a letter for them to hold, but not a package. Nowadays, there isn't any reason one would have to mail a letter that I can think of. I don't think AMex ever was a shipping spot for packages, although you could probably get away with something really small in a padded envelope. Your case doesn't sound like that.

IN theory, you can send things to any French post office of your choice, if you know the address, and have it held for pickup if you use the "Poste Restante" service. They hold things 15 days. I personally wouldn't do that with anything important or if you can't speak French.
http://www.laposte.fr/particulier/pr...nguage)/fre-fr

Wouldn't customs intercept it (depending on declared value, of course) and wait for OP to claim it and pay a duty if required? If yes, that would be one a handful of reasons why you wouldn't want to mail your supplies.

Seems like it would be simpler to buy stuff locally.

I have thought all along--"beautiful French art supplies" to buy there. if there are favorite brushes, etc., pack 'em up to carry along.