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 create and manage their freelancing or small business in France, so they can concentrate on developing their activity.

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. Private forum: Ask me anything about your business for a year. Avoid sleepless nights and get reliable answers. I've answered about 87,485 questions for 3,384 members since 2009!
  2. 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.
  3. Auto-entrepreneur 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.
  4. Auto Entrepreneur overview: All you need to know about the auto entrepreneur (micro entrepreneur). How does it work, regulations, taxes, can it work for you?
  5. Business administration: Something is wrong with your business set up (taxes, health cover, paperwork) and you are getting in a pickle. Let me find out where the problem comes from and fix it.

Business blog

Power Hours moving to the morning over the summer

Many of you are taking the opportunity to think about your future move to France. Nothing like a holiday in France to do some research on your favourite area or town ...

By Valérie Aston · 8 Jul 2022 · 179 views

Why do freelancers need to add EI mention

A freelancer or one-person business in France is called a sole trader or enterprise individuelle. Since May 2022, they must indicate the mention "entrepreneur individuel" or the initials "EI" on their documents. Read on. ...

By Valérie Aston · 2 Jun 2022 · 1092 views

How to create a gite in France masterclass

Join me for a live masterclass on How to create a gite in France. We are getting closer to the summer reason and I want to make sure that you are ready to welcome your guests. ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 May 2022 · 451 views

Get support with My French Business Course

I’m excited to be sharing with you the launch of my new course to help you create your first business in France. And yep, it’s called My French Business. Coming out this March. ...

By Valérie Aston · 22 Feb 2022 · 2158 views

Resources

100 Business ideas to Freelance in France
How to Freelance in France as a Micro Entrepreneur
How to Create a Gite, Chambres or Table d’Hôtes in France
How to Manage your Micro Entrepreneur Set Up Paperwork

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

Slower answers for my holidays 11th to 23rd August

Asked by Valerie · 11 Aug 2022
General business new

Application for long stay visa

Asked by Treffamille · 8 Aug 2022 · 1 reply
General business open

Basis of AE registration & future implications

Asked by Roders · 5 Aug 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Capital Gains Tax on sale of Chambre D’hote

Asked by Roders · 5 Aug 2022 · 1 reply
Gîte, chambre et table d’hôte open

CHANGING FROM SARLU TO MICRO – WHEN TO DECLARE AND CHANGING FROM MSA

Asked by Multitasker · 5 Aug 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

DES declaration mistake

Asked by trick · 1 Aug 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

More About Location Gérance

Asked by thestudio · 28 Jul 2022 · 3 replies
Legal structure open

How to switch from Netentreprises account to URSAFF account?

Asked by ed1002 · 26 Jul 2022 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Chiffre d’affaires

Asked by Tizman · 25 Jul 2022 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Holiday Abroad with pending carte vitale

Asked by pizza · 22 Jul 2022 · 2 replies
Health care and carte vitale open

Carnet de commandes and bilan?

Asked by Sally · 8 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Adding airbnb to existing micro entrepreneur

Asked by Tizman · 7 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
Gîte, chambre et table d’hôte open

Asset purchase

Asked by Barney · 7 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
SARL, EURL, SAS etc. open

Legal structure for property development with unrelated partner

Asked by MDC · 6 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
Legal structure open

French bank options for AE without carte de sejour

Asked by T2-France · 5 Jul 2022 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

When will I be taxed in France?

Asked by Michelle · 4 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Invoicing Travel Reimbursements ad micro entrepreneur

Asked by pizza · 2 Jul 2022 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

truck purchase

Asked by Barney · 1 Jul 2022 · 3 replies
SARL, EURL, SAS etc. open

Testimonials

Many thanks for a fantastic website, perhaps I can stop pulling my hair out now!

-Mazza