La Poste opens new sorting hub near Poitiers and sets stamp expiry rules

La Poste will launch a new multi‑flow parcel‑sorting platform in Migné‑Auxances, near Poitiers, on 22 September 2026. The €6 million, 12 000 m² facility can handle up to 15 000 parcels daily for the Poitiers, Châtellerault and Niort areas and will also process press, advertising prints and logistics for the Vienne and Deux‑Sèvres departments. A semi‑automatic mechanised chain with a flash‑tunnel reads labels and updates tracking in real time, aiming to reduce manual sorting and improve working conditions for the roughly 200 staff members, including 120 carriers.

At the same time, La Poste announced that stamps printed online via the “Mon Timbre en Ligne” service will acquire a six‑month validity period starting 16 September 2026. After that date, any unused online‑printed stamps will expire, while traditional stamps sold in post offices or kiosks will remain valid indefinitely. A transition period is planned for existing online‑stamp stock.