Cost price fuel available at hundreds of petrol stations this weekend in France

Drivers across France will be able to purchase cost-price fuel at participating E.Leclerc, Intermarché and Netto service stations this weekend, as the supermarket giants look to entice customers heading to or returning from their winter holiday. 

The promotions, taking place on Friday February 20 and Saturday February 21, coincide with the height of winter holiday getaway activity on the roads.

Holidays for pupils in Zone C begin this weekend and continue for those in Zone B, but end for Zone A, with millions expected to be travelling either to or from popular winter destinations.

“This initiative is an act of solidarity towards all consumers concerned about their purchasing power as they head off on holiday,” said E.Leclerc chief Michel-Édouard Leclerc. 

The deal will apply to diesel, gasoline, and E85 superethanol fuels. 

While there is no full list of participating E.Leclerc stations, the deal excludes those on motorways. 

A full interactive map of the supermarket chain’s service stations is available here.

Intermarché and Netto also announced they will run the offer.

Details of participating stations are available here (Intermarché) and here (Netto).

Are offers worth it for drivers?

Cost-price fuel offers are becoming increasingly commonplace in France. 

Such deals see retailers remove all profit margins from the price per litre of fuel they offer, with the cost covering solely the fuel’s purchase price, taxes, and transportation charges. 

Taking into account wages and infrastructure costs, it means retailers make a small loss on each litre sold. 

However, they hope to recoup these costs – and eventually make a larger profit – by customers doubling up a tank refill with their weekly shop, or through name recognition resulting in a long-term customer. 

Drivers, meanwhile, can save a few cents per litre – a small but not insignificant saving when the opportunity arises. 

In some cases however, it may still be cheaper to refill at a local or independent station, particularly if you would have to travel far (and therefore use fuel) to reach the pump offering a discount. 

It is worth checking the government’s fuel cost comparison website before refilling your vehicle.