If you’ve ever camped in France and Spain then you know that Camping Gaz is ubiquitous in most supermarkets, gas stations and general stores. However, if you’re coming from the US or Great Britain, then it’s very possible that you have a camping stove that takes a screw-on gas canister (often sold under the Primus brand), as I do with my MSR Pocket Rocket.
On my recent bicycle trip, I couldn’t find this type of gas anywhere. I searched online and it’s a topic of frequent discussion with some claiming they are easy to find and others saying they are impossible and you should buy a compatible stove or an adapter.
I solved the mystery myself when I was last in France. You CAN buy threaded / screw-on camp stove canisters. Where? Short answer: Decathlon.
- Power Gas 100g Primus (Decathlon France)
- Power Gas 100g Primus (Decathlon Spain)
Mystery solved! With thanks to Kate for taking me to Decathlon, where I found other treasures including a kickstand and a fashionable waist pouch for my wallet and phone (which is actually a chalk bag for climbers).
Bicycle Touring Checklist
Hello Monica,
Thank you so much for your provided information about where to buy gas in France! it helped us to plan our trip!
Great stuff!
Best wishes,
Vaida and Gintaras
I’m going to Barcelona and could not find online any stores selling the screw-in cartridges. Thank you, Monica, for saving me tons of googling with this article!
Brilliant – so glad it could help! Have a great time in Barcelona!
Thanks for your feedback. So glad the info was helpful for you!
This saved my life, or morning coffee but kind a same. Thank you <3
I’m so very happy to hear that! Enjoy!
well I guess I can look up decathlon. I assume it is a popular store…..
Hi Monica,
Thanks for the great advice.
Regards
Stewart
Hi Monica,
Yes you can buy Primus gas a Decathlon only problem is try and find a Decathlon store. I cycled from Orange to Tours and not a Decathlon store in sight. So it is still a big problem for us voyagers.
Didn’t mean to rain on your parade but that wa my experience.
We have had this issue in the past, but when going to do the GR20 a year ago managed to buy a really handy twist on adapter for non threaded canisters that allow you to then attach a threaded stove. Its been a godsend, well worth trying to get one if you are hiking in France, it means that you can use whichever type of gas cylinder that you can get hold of.
That’s great tip! I need one of those adapters!
Hi Monica,
Thanks for the heads up. I will be hiking the GR11 in a few weeks and I have been looking for a place to buy canisters for my PocketRocket2. Although I can find several hiking shops in Barcelona, I wasn’t sure if they’d carry any of the compatible canisters. I also found about 10 Decathlon shops. Now I know I will be able to cook.