Professional advice on running a small business in France

Valerie Lemiere: Start Business in France

Bonjour, I'm Valérie Aston, a French business advisor. I help English speakers prepare, create and manage their freelancing activity in France, so they can focus on their customers & development.

Moving to France is exciting: new home, new work, new culture! But having to grasp the business rules can be overwhelming, especially if you don't master the language yet.

How I can help you:

  1. Power Hour: Book a one-to-one call for advice on your business project. Get up to speed quickly, talk through your options and understand the implications of your choices.
  2. Micro Entrepreneur & Artist Registration: Let me handle your business registration in France. I'll manage the whole process for you, while sending you a useful factsheet and tips to guide you with the paperwork.
  3. My French Business Visa: Online course and 1-to-1 coaching to prepare your business visa application. Get Valerie’s support for 6 months to develop your business plan, finances and submit your visa application. Life access to course + Zoom calls for 6 months.
  4. Manage Your Micro Entrepreneur: Join my group of micro entrepreneurs and get support for 1 year to learn to manage your French business. Create your online accounts, do your declarations, bookkeeping. Includes live monthly Q&As + 1 year Forum access.
  5. Private Forum: Ask me anything about your business for a year. Avoid sleepless nights and get reliable answers. I've answered about 95,505 questions for 3,562 members since 2009!

Business blog

How to file your 2024 French Income tax return

There are 3 ways to get help to complete your 2024 income tax return in France. Start by printing your forms and collecting proofs of your various sources of income ...

By Valérie Aston · 4 May 2025 · 1486 views

4 Pillars for a Successful Business Visa Application to France

If you're dreaming of moving to France and planning to apply for a business visa or carte de sejour, you are in the right place. This article breaks down the visa application process into four essential pillars. ...

By Valérie Aston · 8 Apr 2025 · 382 views

French income tax deadines 2024

This article covers the 2024 French income tax deadlines and basic reminders to help you get ready for the tax season. ...

By Valérie Aston · 26 Mar 2025 · 2907 views

Impact of French Politics on Freelancers

After the roller coaster from the last 6 months, find out how the future French budget may impact Freelancers in France. ...

By Valérie Aston · 5 Dec 2024 · 1789 views

Don’t choose this visa to freelance in France!

This year, I've seen many expats wanting to register a business while under a long-stay visitor Visa. And I've had to break the bad news to them... ...

By Valérie Aston · 14 Nov 2024 · 2079 views

Resources

100 Business ideas to Freelance in France
Let’s Freelance in France Challenge
Micro Entrepreneur Facsheet
Let’s Freelance in France Newsletter

Business podcasts

How to set up a health cover and get a carte vitale

This podcast explains how to set up a health cover and how to get a carte vitale for entrepreneurs. Find out how your carte vitale will be issued and answers to popular questions on health cover. ...

By Valérie Aston · 10 May 2011

Adding an APE or NAF code to your business

This podcast discusses the implications of adding an extra APE or NAF activity code to your current business and how to do it. Adding an extra APE activity code can be done for an auto-entrepreneur, an entreprise ...

By Valérie Aston · 10 May 2011

Complete overview of the auto-entrepreneur system

This podcast, which is 44 minutes long, will give you a complete overview of the auto-entrepreneur system. It's perfect if you're starting a business in France as an auto-entrepreneur, or you're registered and want a ...

By Valérie Aston · 6 Sep 2013

Online Courses

Everyone's questions

Does a UK distribution to shareholders need to be declared on next year’s French tax return?

Asked by Creative Elephant · 21 May 2025
Auto-entrepreneur new

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND AMELI LOG IN AGAIN I think my number is permanent

Asked by Laura M · 19 May 2025
Health care and carte vitale new

social security number

Asked by Laura M · 19 May 2025
Health care and carte vitale new

Client address and invoice

Asked by Panda_Fr · 18 May 2025
Auto-entrepreneur new

How to change from micro BNC to BNC reél

Asked by giuls88 · 12 May 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

livre de recettes et achats

Asked by sofiat · 12 May 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

My wife’s PUMA coverage

Asked by sofiat · 12 May 2025 · 1 reply
Health care and carte vitale open

Filling out my Artiste - Auteur declaration for Urssaf

Asked by giuls88 · 11 May 2025
Auto-entrepreneur new

Am I elegible for RSA / CSS under the Withdrawal Agreement, as a ME who arrived pre-Brexit?

Asked by Mountains · 9 May 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Where in www.impots.gouv.fr should I file my taxes? Is it on l’espace particulier or professionnel?

Asked by Seneca · 6 May 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Personal Income Tax Question

Asked by sandrogynous · 6 May 2025 · 7 replies
Social and financial help open

Tax accountant recommendations

Asked by ProfAlex · 6 May 2025 · 2 replies
General business open

Micro Entrepreneur - TVA - Non EU clients

Asked by cindyashes · 4 May 2025 · 5 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Multiple activities

Asked by Polo · 29 Apr 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Declaration de revenue 2024 - Income tax declaration - Forms

Asked by Alexander · 24 Apr 2025 · 5 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

How to reflect expenses in records

Asked by Panda_Fr · 24 Apr 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Profession Liberale Visa

Asked by Jane · 18 Apr 2025 · 5 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Letters of Intent for a business visa France

Asked by Jane · 18 Apr 2025 · 3 replies
Business registration open

Testimonials

Thank you Valerie for such a clear and speedy answer. Best thing I've done for a long time, joining here!

-hjay