• Visit date: October 21 2024
• The visited post office: TAAF headquarters and capital, Saint Pierre, Reunion
• Cost of sending mail: France 1,16 EUR, The rest of the world 1,65 EUR (starting from 01.01.25 1,29 Eur/1,96 Eur)
• Postcards/ stamps availability: A great selection of postcards and postmarks featuring scenic views and animals is available. For stamp lovers – like in the heaven.
• Postcard delivery time: Update at the end

TAAF-Terres australes et antarctiques françaises– The French Southern and Antarctic Lands- are a collection of islands scattered across the southern Indian Ocean and Antarctica, all under French administration. These remote territories are home to unique landscapes and a rich ecosystem, but are also subject to harsh weather conditions. Despite their isolation, TAAF plays a significant role in French scientific research and military operations. Notably, there are no permanent residents, but a fluctuating population of scientists and military personnel, with numbers ranging from under 200 in winter to over 300 in summer.

The islands are divided into three distinct regions: Îles Éparses (scattered islands around the coast of Madagascar), Southern Islands (Îles Crozet, Archipel des Kerguelen, Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam), Terre Adélie (France’s claim on the Antarctic continent). Each region boasts its own unique natural features and plays a vital role in the overall ecosystem.

A brief history of TAAF Post

Between 1948 and 1955, Madagascar stamps were used in TAAF. After gaining territorial status in 1955, TAAF issued its first stamp in late October of that year. This was a red overprint on the 15 Francs Madagascar Long Tailed Ground Roller stamp. In April 1956, TAAF began to issue its own stamp designs.

TAAF’s administration moved from Paris to Saint Pierre, Reunion Island, in 2004, further strengthening the link between these two territories. Reunion Island holds a significant connection to TAAF, both geographically and historically. The island boasts its own unique postal history, dating back to 1852 when the first stamp was issued. French colony stamps were later overprinted for use in Reunion in 1885.

Sources: TAAF, Courrier-des-taaf, Wikipedia, Philately, Wikipedia,

Our visit to TAAF

We had been planning a trip to TAAF since the end of 2021, hoping to explore the various islands in the summer of 2024 aboard their research vessel, the Marion Dufresne. However, our plans had to be revised when we learned that, starting in the spring of 2024, tourists would no longer be permitted on the vessel. In correspondence with the head office, we were even sent the terms and conditions to participate in their expedition. The requirements to travel on the Marion Dufresne were quite stringent, including an age limit of 75 years and a medical certificate from your doctor, which was also subject to a subsequent review by a TAAF doctor.

We arrived in Saint Pierre on Sunday, October 20th, and stayed overnight in a hotel near the TAAF headquarters to be there first thing Monday morning for the headquarters opening at 9:00 AM. The headquarters itself is a fascinating combination of administrative offices, a small but informative museum, a souvenir shop, and, of course, an extensive collection of philatelic products. The museum’s exhibits, including information panels and video displays, showcased the breathtaking beauty of the untouched landscapes of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Despite being limited to the headquarters and the capital, the visuals left a powerful impression.

The selection of postcards and stamps on sale was truly impressive – a philatelist’s paradise. We also learned that the Marion Dufresne makes four voyages a year, each lasting a month. Vanessa, a helpful and informative employee, told us that she had been on the last voyage, which involved a rotation of military personnel on the islands. However, not everyone, even those working in the headquarters, get to visit the remote islands.

Our own plan involved sending postcards from various locations within TAAF. We meticulously prepared our envelopes, addressing them to the respective postal managers in each region. We included postcards adorned with beautiful stamps, along with addresses and personalized messages. This process involved many trips back and forth between the hotel and the headquarters as we fine-tuned our postcards and collected the necessary stamps. Vanessa assured us that all our postcards would be shipped on the next available ship, departing the following day, October 22nd, except for those addressed to Terre Adelie, which would be sent a few weeks later. These postcards would be stamped and canceled at the post office located at the address on the envelope, then returned to Saint Pierre before being delivered to their final destinations around the world.

The envelopes containing our postcards did not need a postmarks, except for the one addressed to Terre Adélie. Vanessa weighed the envelope and added the necessary stamps.

The journey that postcards take to Terre Adélie is quite fascinating: This envelope is first heading to Paris, then to Hobart, Tasmania, and from there it will continue on to Antarctica, where the postcards will have their stamps canceled at the post office Base Dumont-d’Urville – District de Terre-Adélie.

As is customary, we also sent ourselves a postcard. While it is possible to mail yourself postcards from TAAF to any address without visiting the headquarters, we were grateful for the opportunity to experience it firsthand. The unique combination of administrative functions, the small but informative museum, and the exceptional philatelic offerings made this visit more than worthwhile. It was a fascinating journey into the world of TAAF and its unique postal system.

It was hard to capture it all in this short piece, so I encourage you to check out the links I’ve added.

Naturally, we also sent postcards from Reunion during our trip. Their postal system functioned just like in mainland France. Stamps and postcards were readily available everywhere. The cost of sending a postcard was the same as in Mayotte.

Our visit ended here, leaving us inspired and happy. See you next week in the next post office.

Update January 03: Mailed on October 21 2024, Canceled In Martin de Vivies, St Paul on November 9 2024, Arrived to Estonia on January 2 2025

Update January 12: Mailed on October 21, Canseled in M. le gérant postal du district de Kerguelen on November 11, Arrived to Estonia on January 6 (Germany, January 03, Swizerland January 08)

Update from 17.05.2025: M. le gérant postal du district de Crozet
Base Alfred Faure – TAAF. Sent on 22.Okt.2024, Canceled on 24.Nov.2024 in Alfred Faure, Arrived to Estonia 12.May.2025.

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