Starbucks will begin the roll-out at two prestige locations: the Monoprix GBL in Lyon and the Monoprix Beaugrenille in Paris, the company has said.

The franchises will be open by the end of the year, with more to open in future, although total numbers have yet to be specified.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the best Starbucks experience that we can offer, to those shoppers who are already looking for the best services and products at Monoprix,” said Arjan Oudejans, vice president of Branded Solutions for of the move into the French market.

“Monoprix is the perfect partner to bring the Starbucks experience alive in their stores,” he added.

But it remains to be seen whether French shoppers will take to the venture by the US firm which opened its first store more than 40 years ago in Seattle.

While Starbucks has more than 22,000 stores worldwide and enjoys, for example, huge popularity in Asia where it is a byword for Western-style luxury, the company has a smaller presence in Europe, and has only a hundred or so outlets in France.

For the coffee giant the French market remains fertile ground which they hope to exploit.

For many in coffee-addicted France, the idea of an American coffee chain taking over, may not be to their taste.

However Starbucks can take heart from McDonald's, which even in the home of haute cuisine and the Michelin restaurant guide has been a roaring success.

McDonald's sells more burgers in France per head of population than anywhere outside the United States.

Monoprix are confident they have a recipe for success.

Dominique Benoit, Head of Real Estate and Franchise at Monoprix said: “We pride ourselves on offering the widest variety of services and products, and the addition of Starbucks is another example of us giving our customers more.

“We are looking forward to surprising our customers with an innovative and premium service – the highest quality coffee and Starbucks experience.” 

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