When you live in Bordeaux and hear about Mercadona prices, the first instinct is to look for the most accessible store from Gironde. No Mercadona stores exist in France, and the nearest supermarkets are located across the Pyrenees, in Spanish Catalonia. From Bordeaux, you need to account for several hours of driving to reach the first points of sale. This is not a quick trip; it’s a planned expedition, so it’s best to prepare properly.
Route Bordeaux-Catalonia: what the GPS doesn’t tell you
Most articles list the Mercadona stores near the border without ever addressing the reality of the journey from Bordeaux. We’re talking about approximately four hours of driving via the A63 motorway and then the AP-7 on the Spanish side, targeting stores located around Figueres or La Jonquera.
The often underestimated expense is the tolls. The French motorway between Bordeaux and the Spanish border incurs a significant cost, along with the toll sections on the Spanish side depending on the chosen route. To keep the operation profitable, people generally combine shopping, fuel, and other purchases into a single day.
To precisely locate the Mercadona closest to Bordeaux, you will consistently end up at the stores in the province of Girona. Figueres, with its new store planned in the Vilatenim shopping area, becomes a logical stop for Bordelais traveling down the A9 and then the AP-7.
Mercadona Figueres and La Jonquera: compare before choosing your destination
Two areas concentrate the Mercadona stores accessible from France: Figueres and the surroundings of La Jonquera. The choice between the two depends on what you are specifically looking for.
La Jonquera is located just after the border. It is quicker to access, and the town is already known for its gas stations and shopping centers. The local Mercadona allows for a quick stop without venturing too deep into Spain.
Figueres, about twenty kilometers further south, offers a different setting. The Vilatenim area hosts several brands, and the future Mercadona announced for late 2026 (a project estimated at over 10 million euros according to local press) will enhance this offering. Figueres allows for more shopping to be grouped within the same area, which justifies the extra kilometers.
What you find at Mercadona and not in France
The appeal of Mercadona lies in its private label brands. Hacendado for food and Deliplus for cosmetics are the two ranges that motivate the majority of trips from France. Feedback varies on perceived quality depending on product categories, but the value for money on basics (olive oil, canned goods, cleaning products, body care) is widely agreed upon.
- Hacendado covers a very wide food range, from pasta to prepared meals, with prices significantly lower than their French equivalents
- Deliplus offers facial, body, and hair care products at prices that surprise consumers used to hexagonal prices
- Cleaning products and laundry detergent are among the most frequent purchases for cross-border shoppers, with the price differential being particularly noticeable on these items
Portugal and Mercadona: an alternative option for Bordelais
It’s not something that comes to mind spontaneously, but Portugal is becoming a rapidly expanding area for Mercadona. The chain surpassed 70 stores there in 2026, with an investment plan of around 150 million euros and a dozen new openings planned for the year.
From Bordeaux, northern Portugal (Porto, Braga) is at a distance comparable to that of Catalonia. The Mercadona stores in Portugal apply the same private label policy, with the added bonus of a price reduction campaign covering over 500 products in 2026.
This option mainly concerns those planning a weekend or a stay: no one goes to Porto just to fill a trunk with groceries. However, if a trip is already scheduled, spotting the Mercadona stores along the route can help optimize food expenses during the stay.
Profitability of cross-border shopping from Bordeaux: the real calculations
The classic trap is to compare only the price on the shelf without factoring in the total cost of the trip. From Bordeaux, a round trip to Figueres consumes a full tank of fuel (sometimes more depending on the vehicle), plus tolls.
The trip is only profitable if a significant volume of purchases is made. A cart of a few dozen euros does not cover the travel expenses. Regular cross-border shoppers think in terms of stock: laundry supplies for several months, bulk olive oil, cosmetics bought in lots.
Optimize the trip to absorb fixed costs
- Refueling in Spain, where the price per liter remains lower than in France, offsets part of the toll costs
- Pooling purchases among several households (family, neighbors, colleagues) allows for filling the vehicle and sharing travel costs
- Planning the trip on a weekday reduces crowds in stores and on the road, especially at border crossings
- Check opening hours: Spanish Mercadona stores generally close earlier than what one is used to in France
Cross-border shopping from Bordeaux to Mercadona remains a niche operation, reserved for those who plan and pool resources. The real gain is measured over an annual basket, not on a one-time purchase. With the future store in Figueres and the expansion into Portugal, options are multiplying, but the distance from Gironde always imposes the same consideration: is the time invested worth the savings made, and the answer directly depends on the volume you are willing to bring back.