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 95,685 questions for 3,562 members since 2009!

Business blog

Lower 25,000€ VAT threshold threat is over

The threat of a much lower VAT threshold of 25,000€ per year for all entrepreneurs in France is finally officially over. A text of law was voted on this week ...

By Valérie Aston · 5 Jun 2025 · 240 views

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 · 2537 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 · 546 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 · 3614 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 · 2000 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 · 2243 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

Everyone's questions

IT services: how to handle payments from support in an open source product forum

Asked by bve · 6 Jun 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Accounting software recommendations

Asked by Creative Elephant · 4 Jun 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Benchmarking accountants for restaurant project: what do I need to know?

Asked by sandrogynous · 3 Jun 2025
General business new

Update on banks and a question about N26

Asked by Creative Elephant · 3 Jun 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

2024 Tax return help for micro entrepreneur

Asked by Andie · 3 Jun 2025 · 4 replies
General business open

CFE form 1447-C-K for artist-auteur

Asked by Manas · 2 Jun 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Mobility Contract

Asked by PeterG · 29 May 2025 · 3 replies
General business open

How to work out what to put aside each month for taxes

Asked by Creative Elephant · 27 May 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

New activity for 2024

Asked by Jenny · 26 May 2025 · 5 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Tax return annexe 2047

Asked by giuls88 · 25 May 2025 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Double checking regarding VERSEMENT LIBERATOIRE

Asked by Mountains · 23 May 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Odd jobs ouside of main Micro Entrepreneur service

Asked by Mountains · 23 May 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Invoicing a gallery

Asked by giuls88 · 21 May 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

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

Asked by Creative Elephant · 21 May 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

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 B2B France

Asked by Panda_Fr · 18 May 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

How to change from micro BNC to BNC reél

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

Testimonials

I just want to say a very public thank you to Valerie, for this forum and for the help she has given me by email / phone. Valerie has made the whole process make so much more sense, has handled phone calls and chased people for me, and finally we’re at a point where I can see the way forward and stop tearing my hair out. So thank you Valerie, for a great service and a fab forum - I’d happily recommend you to anyone looking to start a business in France!

-Nikki Pilkington