Mercadona does not have any retail outlets in France. The Spanish chain, which operates over 1,600 supermarkets between Spain and Portugal, focuses its investments on modernizing its existing stores and on the Portuguese market. For French consumers attracted by its competitively priced products, options are currently limited to border stores and a few indirect channels.
Mercadona and the Tienda 9 Program: Why France is Still Waiting
The competitors already established in France (Lidl, Aldi, Carrefour) occupy a territory that Mercadona has not sought to contest. The reason lies less in a lack of ambition than in a documented strategic choice: the chain has launched a vast transformation program called Tienda 9, which involves renovating its supermarkets according to a new format.
This project mobilizes considerable resources. According to the economic media Economia3, Mercadona achieved 43 openings for 45 closures in 2025, reflecting a net decision in favor of the quality of the network rather than its geographical expansion. The planned investment exceeds one billion euros for 2026, focused on renovations in Spain and measured expansion in Portugal.
Portugal remains the only border that Mercadona has crossed. In 2026, the chain had 69 stores there and continued its openings, particularly in Beja in the Alentejo region. No official announcement mentions France in the short or medium-term plans.
This reality makes it all the more useful to know where the stores accessible from France are located. You can check the list of Mercadona stores in France on Les Affaires du Net to locate the nearest border outlets.
Mercadona Stores Near the French Border: Concrete Access
Consumers in southern France have several Mercadona supermarkets located in Spanish Catalonia, less than an hour’s drive from the border. These stores provide the most direct means of accessing the chain’s products.
Preferred Catalan Retail Outlets
- Mercadona Figueres, located on Carrer Sant Llàtzer in Figueres (Girona province), is about 25 kilometers from the Perthus border crossing. It is the most frequented store by French customers from Languedoc-Roussillon.
- Several stores are located in Girona itself, accessible from Perpignan via the AP-7 motorway in just over an hour.
- La Jonquera, a border town known for its duty-free shops, also houses a Mercadona that attracts regular French customers on weekends.
On the Basque side, the situation is similar: the stores in Irun and San Sebastián welcome residents from Bayonne and Hendaye who cross the border for their shopping. The journey from Hendaye to the first Mercadona in Irun takes just a few minutes.
Planning a Cost-Effective Trip
A round trip across the border only makes economic sense if the volume of purchases justifies the cost of fuel and tolls. The most sought-after products by the French are those from Mercadona’s private labels: Hacendado for food and Deliplus for cosmetics. These ranges offer a quality-price ratio that is hard to find in equivalent French brands.
Fruits, fresh fish, and local Spanish products are also among frequent purchases. However, fresh products do not fare well on a long return trip, especially in summer. A cooler is still necessary.
Alternatives to Buy Mercadona Products Without Crossing the Border
For those living far from the border, a few solutions exist, each with its limitations.
French-speaking Facebook groups, such as “Produits Mercadona francophone, avis et nouveautés,” gather several thousand members who exchange opinions, share finds, and sometimes organize group purchases. These communities help identify new products before a potential trip.
Mercadona does not offer delivery to France. Its online ordering service is limited to certain areas in Spain and Portugal. There are parcel forwarding platforms from Spain, but they add fees that often negate the price advantage.
Some Spanish grocery stores located in major French cities resell Hacendado or Deliplus products, but without a guarantee of regular supply. These neighborhood shops constitute an anecdotal channel, not a true alternative to supermarkets.
Mercadona vs. Discount Chains in France: A Comparable Positioning
French consumers interested in Mercadona often do so by comparing it with the discount chains already present in their market. Lidl, Aldi, and even the private labels of Carrefour or Leclerc occupy a similar niche: low prices, dominant private labels, tight assortment.
The difference lies in the perception of quality. The Hacendado and Deliplus brands benefit from a reputation built over decades in Spain, with a supply chain control that Mercadona claims as a structural advantage. Feedback from French consumers who discover these products while on holiday in Spain fuels word-of-mouth that French chains struggle to replicate with their own brands.
If Mercadona were to ever establish itself in France, it would enter a market where the price war is already fierce. The Portuguese model, with gradual and targeted openings, would provide insight into the likely strategy. The available data does not allow for setting a timeline for this hypothetical entry into the French market.
For now, border stores remain the only direct access to Mercadona’s shelves from France. The most dedicated consumers organize their purchases during trips to Spain or planned outings, targeting products that are unavailable in French supermarkets.
