Is there Costco in France? Sure, and there are two of them, however they’re not in Paris. Is it price making a particular journey to the Costco warehouse while you’re visiting France? This was a query I requested myself throughout my final journey and I had the chance to search out out as I used to be so near one of many warehouses. I found that in some ways they’re the identical as North American Costco warehouses however not totally as many merchandise are catered to a special (clearly French) market. Get a glimpse contained in the warehouse, its distinctive choices, and resolve if it’s price making a particular journey there.
1. The place Is There Costco In France?
There are over 860 Costco warehouses world wide, similar to in Canada, america, the UK, Iceland, Taiwan, and Europe. Spain has 4 warehouses and France has 2 areas!
Costco Places Close to Paris, Not IN Paris
The Costcos in France are NOT within the coronary heart of Paris; nevertheless, there are two Costcos situated simply exterior of Paris. Why are the Costcos exterior of Paris? Like most Costco shops world wide, they cater to suburbanites, who’ve bigger houses and wish to store in bulk. Plus the warehouses require massive parcels of land to retailer their items.
Costco Wholesale Pontault-Combault
Costco Wholesale Pontault-Combault is half-hour southeast of Paris in Pontault-Combault. Should you had been heading eastward from central Paris, to say, Bois de Vincennes and stored going, you’d ultimately attain Pontault-Combault.
Costco Villebon-sur-Yvette
The Costco I went to is south of Paris in Villebon-sur-Yvette, situated lower than half-hour south of Versailles and 20 minutes southwest of Paris Orly airport. As I discussed in my journey #37 report, I stayed in close by Jouy-en-Josas on my manner from Bayeux, Normandy to Dijon, Burgundy. It was the proper midway level and the Costco retailer in Villebon-sur-Yvette was solely 20 minutes away so it was the opportune time to go to. Had I not been so shut, I might not have made a particular journey there. I really like Costco however had no have to “refill” on objects. I used to be simply curious if there have been any actual offers. (Reply: probably not).
2. Can You Use Your Costco Membership Card At A Costco In France?
You need to use your Costco card out of the country! Your Costco membership (ie. from the U.S, Canada, or some other nation) is accepted at Costco shops in France. You simply want to indicate it upon coming into and when paying. In line with Costco’s web site about membership privileges:
“Your membership card is legitimate at any Costco warehouse worldwide and isn’t transferable.”
It’s essential to notice that Costco additionally states, “In case your picture just isn’t in your card, solely passports, in addition to picture identification issued by america, Puerto Rico, Canadian Federal, State, or Provincial governments are acceptable types of identification.”
3. Costs At Costco In France
(a) Costs In France INCLUDE Taxes
A pleasant factor about procuring at Costco (or any retailer) in France is that the worth proven consists of all taxes. The VAT(Worth Added Tax), is a common consumption tax and included! So the worth you see is the worth you’ll pay.
In Ontario, Canada, we have now so as to add on the HST (Harmonized Gross sales Tax which is the federal and provincial tax mixed) on most objects. That’s 13% tax on prime of the listed worth of products and providers.
(b) VAT Refund
Should you spend sufficient, you may have the ability to get a few of your VAT tax again. Supposedly, Costco provides one of many highest reimbursement charges: 15.5%. As I wrote on this submit about making use of for the VAT refund in France, after you’ve paid to your objects at Costco, go to the membership desk to see in case your purchases qualify. (Bear in mind, not all purchases are eligible. Consumables, like meals, will not be). When you’ve got spent the minimal required (100.01€ ), they may fill out the Détaxe type that you’ll take to the Tax Refund space (Détaxe) to get a few of your a refund.
I didn’t spend over 100€ so I can’t say for certain if this nonetheless applies at Costco. Nevertheless, in concept, it ought to if Costco considers itself a taking part retailer.
4. Navigating The Aisles Of Costco In Villebon-sur-Yvette
The structure of the warehouse in Villebon-sur-Yvette, which opened in 2018, was just about the identical as Costcos situated in Canada and america. The 120,000-foot warehouse has aisles dedicated to snacks, meals merchandise, electronics, clothes, workplace provides, family items, well being and wonder, and a big assortment of sporting and outside items, just like the three huge tents hanging from the ceiling. There have been many North American merchandise and types.
This Costco south of Paris additionally had a “Centre de Pneu” (Tire centre), “Centre Optique” (Optical centre), “Centre Audif” (Listening to centre), and a meals court docket, similar to in North America.
5. The French Expertise At Costco
(a) French Merchandise In Costco
Most of the similar manufacturers present in North America (ie. Kirkland model merchandise or Weber nutritional vitamins and dietary supplements) can be found. However there have been many extra French manufacturers and French meals (ie. huge quantities of cheese and French pastries/bread) which are tailor-made for the native French clientele.
(b) Books At Costco—-All French
I came across a big number of books however, I didn’t see any English books. (No shock actually). So, until you’re fluent in French, you’ll in all probability simply skip looking the ebook part.
(c) French Cheese
Being in France you needed to know that the number of cheese could be improbable at supermarkets. At Costco, it was fairly spectacular however have I been to French supermarkets that had a extra intensive number of cheese? Sure. So, whereas there have been many sorts of goat cheese at Costco, for instance, I don’t suppose a particular journey is required.
(d) Vast Selection Of Bread and Pastries
It’s no shock that French breads and pastries had been a giant characteristic at Costco. Whereas there have been these packages of 6 huge muffins, there have been additionally Madeleines (bundle of 20), St. Michel comfortable cookies (Galette Moelleuse), bake-at-home baguettes, frozen croissants, and ache au chocolat. North American Costcos have a lot of this stuff, however the selection in France is way bigger.
(e) Butter Croissants
I really like butter croissants so I needed to do an investigation at this French Costco warehouse. 12 freshly baked all-butter croissants are dearer in France than in Canada (6.49 € or $9.00 versus $6.99 in Canada). However 30 frozen croissants are dearer in Canada than in France ($16.99 in Canada versus 9.49€ or $13.66).
Should you’re visiting Costco from Paris, would you actually decide up a dozen croissants and take them again to town? Positive, they bake them there within the warehouse and I notice they’re cheaper than these out of your native boulangerie (0.54 € vs. 1.2 €). However there’s one thing about getting one regionally and supporting your native enterprise.
Shopping for a dozen croissants from Costco is like shopping for a dozen croissants from a hypermarché, which is a giant French grocery store (ie. Hyper U, Géant, or Auchan) that mass produces and sells merchandise in bulk. They only don’t look as interesting as those from the boulangerie. I don’t even purchase them at Costco in Canada. Simply give me a heat, freshly baked croissant and I’ll be completely satisfied.
6. Wine, Liquor, and Champagne Offered By Costco
I do know that in america, Costco sells wine and liquor; nevertheless, in Canada, they don’t. In France, there’s a massive number of wines (French and international) and you could find Ricard Pastis, Apero, Scotch whiskey, Japanese whiskey, and different alcohols from world wide.
You will discover many cheap wines for underneath 10€ from well-known model names (ie. Famille Perrin and E. Guigal), however many there have been many manufacturers I didn’t acknowledge.
7. Costco Meals
They’ve frozen meals, and refrigerated sections for vegetables and fruit, meats (beef, pork, and poultry), in addition to deli and ready meals. And sure, there’s even Costco’s well-known rotisserie hen! In Canada, the standard of Costco meats, greens, and meals merchandise is all the time wonderful and right here in France additionally they regarded excellent.
The warehouse additionally has meals and wine sampling; nevertheless, I arrived early within the day they usually didn’t have something arrange.
8. Costco Meals Courtroom
The Costco meals court docket in France sells pizza, french fries, hen wraps, salads, sundaes, and soda pop. The costs had been low cost. Opposite to what others have mentioned, they did NOT supply poutine (curds, fries and gravy) as they do at Montreal Costcos.
You should buy Costco’s well-known all-beef sizzling canine and 20-ounce pop combo for 1.50€ (about $2.15 Cdn) however you don’t get free refills like in North America. In Canada, the worth is cheaper at $1.50.
9. Worldwide Merchandise Imported By Costco
I used to be amused to see Kirkland Signature Natural Maple Syrup-Sirop d’Erable, which is made in Canada—at a Costco in France. The 1-litre bottle prices 12.00€ ($17.28) in France versus $15.99 in Canada (It’s cheaper in Canada however not by a lot with right now’s trade charge. It additionally helps that there isn’t any tax added onto the Canadian buy.)
10. Value Of Electronics
I wasn’t shocked that the Apple Watch Collection 8 (41mm) was dearer in France than in Canada nevertheless it wasn’t by quite a bit. The watch retailed for 469.99€ (incl tax) which is about $677 Canadian (primarily based on a $1.44 per € trade charge). At the moment, the identical product in Canada retailed for about $643 (incl. tax). So when trade charges are beneficial, I can see Costco’s costs as being very enticing.
11. Is It Value A Particular Journey To Costco In France?
Now that you understand what a Costco is de facto like in France, is it price making a procuring journey there? Should you reply sure to any of those, possibly you must go!
- Do you have already got a membership or are ready to hitch Costco?
- Do you NEED to purchase objects in bulk? (ie. 40 rolls of bathroom paper?)
- Are you passing by Costco and a cease isn’t out of your manner?
- Are you in search of a “deal” the place an merchandise like an Apple watch could be cheaper at Costco than at an everyday retailer?
- Do you NEED to refill on wine/liquor?
- Do you’ve a automobile (or numerous pals) to take all of your purchases again with you on the Metro?
- For all of your bother, are you actually getting an excellent deal?
One ultimate meals for thought: if you happen to’re simply visiting Paris, what would you actually purchase in Costco that you may’t discover within the metropolis? Do you even have room in your house for all of your purchases? The place will you retailer your 40 rolls of bathroom paper? Will your fridge or freezer have room to your 15 kilos of floor beef?
Should you’re visiting France for some time and wish to decide up some items to your keep exterior of Paris, certain, it’s one thing to think about; nevertheless, I wouldn’t exit of my manner. There are many hypermarchés in France which have discounted merchandise they usually can promote you issues in bulk. Buying at Costco, in any nation, is enjoyable, nevertheless it’s not the be-all and end-all.
12. Costco Places in France
(a) How To Journey By Public Transportation To Both Costco From Paris
The simplest approach to get to Costco is by automobile. Are you able to get there by bus or Metro? Sure, however I personally don’t suppose it’s well worth the journey. Assuming you’ll be leaving from the centre zone of Paris and taking the RER, you’ll be paying extra and the journey will take you a minimum of 1 hour with a couple of transfers. Then, in fact, you may need issue getting all of your purchases again to Paris.
For instance, I investigated the route from central Paris to Costco in Villebon-sur-Yvette and most often, it will take you from 1 hour to 1.5 hours the place you’d take buses, the RER to Massy Palaiseau, after which stroll to Costco.
(b) When Are The Costco France Warehouses Open?
Each Costco shops in France are open 7 days per week, however with shorter hours than one finds in North America. In France, they’re usually open:
Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Costco Villebon-sur-Yvette
Tackle: 3 Av. de Bréhat, 91140 Villebon-sur-Yvette, France
Costco Wholesale Pontault-Combault
Tackle: Zac Les 4 Chênes, 35 Rte de Paris, 77340 Pontault-Combault, France
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