Looking for ways to store 1 large bag in Paris for 1.5 months this summer.

May 14, 2007 8:22 AM

Where in Paris can I find a cheap or free place to store 1 duffel bag for 1.5 months this summer?

For the break between my girlfriend starting law school and my beginning a new job, we are going on an extended trip together. We're spending 2 weeks in Paris from June 11th to the 25th, then bouncing to Barcelona, Morocco, Senegal, the Gambia and Mali, then back to Paris just in time to get our August 7th flight back to Toronto. Good times will be had.

We're planning on packing light enough, but reducing our packing even further upon leaving Paris (ie: leaving dressy clothes, maybe a pair of shoes apiece, some books, etc). We have an extra duffel bag for this purpose.

However, the friends we were hoping to store stuff with are unable to do so (long story, don't ask), and their connections seem to be ineffective. So, are there places where you can store a tiny amount of stuff for a short period of time? We'd rather not go through the hassle of renting a storage locker, but if we have to, we will...Any suggestions would be appreciated.

(and if anyone wants to tack on some off-the-beaten-path things to do in any of the aforementioned places, I wouldn't be disappointed).

posted by evadery to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

If you aren't going to need them again in Paris, you could mail them home. I've done that before and it was fairly cheap.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 8:28 AM on May 14, 2007

a lot of hostels do bag storage, some probably wouldn't mind the length of time, and it is pretty cheap. (don't remember exactly, but certainly much cheaper than a locker) i would ask around, starting with the cheapest hostels you can find which might have the cheapest bag storage.
posted by lgyre at 8:56 AM on May 14, 2007

bottlebrushtree is right. Just mail it. You won't have to worry about anything happening to it, you won't have to go find it when you're back in Paris, and you'll appreciate having one less hassle to deal with after 2 months on the road.
posted by jaysus chris at 10:40 AM on May 14, 2007

Mailing is a great idea. Beware many bag storage options in France have gotten more awkward because of terrorism fear. I couldn't find a single locker or hotel to hold a bag for me for a few hours one time in a medium sized town near the train station.
posted by Nelson at 11:22 AM on May 14, 2007

Don't know if this is up-to-date... It will be hard to find a cheaper 'professional' service.
posted by rom1 at 11:49 AM on May 14, 2007

Mail it - you'll want to use "Coliposte", which is La Poste's international parcel service. Canada is in "Zone C" on this chart if you're using your own box (I think), and they've got flat-rate boxes (you'll want the "orange brule," or "burnt orange," one, for international packages).

Have a great time! Senegal is awesome.
posted by mdonley at 4:50 PM on May 14, 2007