Aixperiences: MexiThèque, your online Mexican pantry for Aix (and all of France): tortillas, chiles, molcajetes & more—do they have a storefront here?

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Gracias to MexiThèque for supporting our local celebration in Aix-en-Provence

I caught MexiThèque at their pop-up all three days of the Día de Muertos celebrations in Aix centre-ville, and they were exactly the kind of vendor you hope for at a festival: knowledgeable, generous with tips, and genuinely warm. I chatted with them about sourcing and heat levels, then walked away grinning with a pack of yellow corn tortillas (maïs amarillo!) to test at home—soft, fragrant, and instantly better once warmed properly in a dry pan. They confirmed what many of us have suspected: there isn’t an authentically Mexican sit-down restaurant in Aix… pas encore (there’s that tricky phrase—my brain forgets it for three months straight and then, in month four, remembers it about 50% of the time). Until one opens, their online shop is my plan for the next pantry restock—masa, chiles secos, maybe a molcajete if I feel bold—and for a real night-out taco fix, they pointed me toward Montpellier, which seems to be the current hotbed for Mexican cuisine in our corner of France. 

Side note that made me laugh: the MexiThèque team asked if there was some kind of pacte secret between Aix-en-Provence and Californie, because beaucoup de Californiens kept stopping by their stand. I assured them there’s no sister-city taco treaty (yet), it’s just that for many of us West Coasters, real Mexican ingredients are like finding an oasis in the desert—you see tomatillos and proper corn tortillas and suddenly you’re weeping into your reusable shopping bag. Verdict: no official agreement… pas encore (yes, that expression again—my brain files it under “maybe later,” which feels on brand).

The quick answers up front

  • Are they a physical store in Aix?
    No storefront in Aix (at least as of now). MexiThèque is primarily an online Mexican grocer that ships across France; their listed address is in Castries (34160) near Montpellier, which looks like the business/warehouse base—not a retail boutique you can stroll into. (MexiTheque)

  • What’s their URL?
    mexitheque.com — their official shop with categories, stock, and contact details. (MexiTheque)

They do show up at regional events (including Aix’s Día de Muertos weekend), so you might see them in person at festival stands from time to time. (Facebook)

Who they are (and why Aix food-lovers should care)

MexiThèque is one of the longer-running specialist importers of Mexican groceries for the French market: think authentic pantry goods (masa harina, chiles secos, achiote), tortillas, salsas (from commercial brands to niche finds), snacks & sweets, and even barware/utensils like molcajetes. Their positioning is practical rather than hipster: decent range, fair pricing, and nationwide delivery so your next taco Tuesday doesn’t depend on a TGV. (Facebook)

They also communicate as a wholesale partner (“grossiste”), which explains why you sometimes see their products at pop-ups and cultural festivals around Provence. (Facebook)

What they stock (the essentials, with smart picks)

MexiThèque organizes the shop into straightforward categories—useful when you’re building a cart from scratch. (MexiTheque)

Tortillas

Look for corn (maïs) options if you want true taco texture, plus hojas de maíz for tamales. If you have freezer space, buy extra and freeze flat. (MexiTheque)

Chiles secos

Guajillo, ancho, árbol—the holy trinity for adobos, enchilada sauce, and salsa roja. Order a few types; they’re light and last. (MexiTheque)

Masa & pantry

Harina de maíz blanco (Naturelo) for tortillas & sopes; nopal packs; cuitlacoche tins if you’re feeling fancy. (MexiTheque)

Sauces & salsas

Shelf-stable Herdez-style salsas, chipotle bases, and the occasional salsa macha brand. Great for weeknights; zhuzh with fresh lime & cilantro. (MexiTheque)

Épices et autres

Achiote (El Yucateco) for cochinita pibil, amaranto, mazapán sweets—handy for dessert or nostalgic snacking. (MexiTheque)

Outils & extras

When in stock, molcajete (volcanic stone mortar) makes a world of difference to your guacamole texture and toasted-chile salsas. (MexiTheque)

Aix hack: Split a big order with classmates/neighbors; you’ll hit free-shipping thresholds faster and always have masa on hand for surprise guests.

How ordering & delivery typically work

  • Browse & cart via mexitheque.com—the catalog updates regularly; some items cycle in and out (chile harvests and import schedules are a thing). (MexiTheque)

  • Nationwide shipping to your door; plan ahead of fiestas (Día de Muertos, Posadas, Cinco de Mayo) as popular items sell out. (Facebook)

  • Contact details (for bulk/catering queries): phone & email are listed on site; helpful if you’re planning a large event in Aix and need cases of tortillas or crates of Jarritos. (MexiTheque)

If you’re new to cooking Mexican in France: a starter cart

  1. Masa harina (1 kg) — tortillas, sopes, gorditas. (MexiTheque)

  2. Guajillo + ancho + árbol — combine for a balanced red sauce. (MexiTheque)

  3. Chipotles en adobo — smoky lifesaver for beans, eggs, marinades. (MexiTheque)

  4. Achiote paste — weekend cochinita pibil project (works in the oven). (MexiTheque)

  5. Tortillas de maíz — buy extra; freeze. (MexiTheque)

  6. Molcajete (if in stock) — grind toasted chiles, make salsa like a pro. (MexiTheque)

Where MexiThèque meets Aix IRL

While there’s no permanent MexiThèque shop in Aix, they’re frequent partners at regional cultural events (including our Día de Muertos celebrations on Rue Mignet / Place des Prêcheurs). It’s a great time to sample products, ask questions, and discover other local makers (like Las Chachitas’ hot salsas made in France). (Facebook)

Pro tips so your tacos taste like a vacation

  • Toast your dried chiles lightly (10–20 seconds per side) before soaking—this wakes up the oils.

  • Blend with patience and strain your salsa roja for a silky finish.

  • Season your beans with a spoon of chipotle adobo and a pinch of épices—instant depth.

  • Warm tortillas properly (dry pan, 20–30 sec/side; keep in a clean towel) and double up for juicy fillings.

A1–Advanced language corner (because we’re all learning)

  • A1: « Bonjour, je cherche des tortillas de maïs. »

  • A2: « Avez-vous des piments guajillo et ancho ? À quelle date arrive le prochain stock ? »

  • B1: Expliquez en 3–4 phrases la différence entre chiles séchés (arômes) et piments frais (vigueur).

  • B2: Comparez cochinita pibil et daube provençale—marinade, temps de cuisson, acides.

  • Advanced: Rédigez une mini-recette en français pour enchiladas rojas, avec sources d’ingrédients chez MexiThèque.

Final take

For anyone in Aix-en-Provence craving real Mexican ingredients, MexiThèque fills the gap: reliable online stock, solid range from masa to molcajetes, and occasional festival presence so you can put faces to the brand. No brick-and-mortar here (yet), but the doorbell delivery beats a TGV tortilla run—and keeps your pantry fiesta-ready.

Your turn — partagez vos trouvailles !

  • What did you order from MexiThèque that you now can’t live without?

  • Got a go-to salsa recipe? Post it!

  • If you spot a local pop-up featuring MexiThèque goods, drop the date & place so we can all stock up.

Sources for details & product examples: Official site & catalog pages (categories, items, contact), and recent social posts about Provence/Aix events. (MexiTheque)


Location: Montpellier, France

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