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 94,855 questions for 3,550 members since 2009!

Business blog

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 · 911 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 · 1111 views

Freelancers in France: Your homework before 2025

As a business owner, there are 5 things to keep an eye on, to avoid bad surprises or last-minute fix-it rush. Consider this article as your homework to be done before 2025. ...

By Valérie Aston · 21 Oct 2024 · 2200 views

How to use your free business Training Fund - CFP

Did you know that entrepreneurs and freelancers in France are paying towards a training fund? And that they can use this fund to pay for FREE training ...

By Valérie Aston · 14 Oct 2024 · 1077 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

Auto entrepreneur EU and non EU revenue, does it all count towards TVA threshold?

Asked by Tommy Viking · 19 Feb 2025
Auto-entrepreneur new

Issues with changing address on INPI

Asked by linasve · 18 Feb 2025 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Setting up ME before getting CDS (spouse of an EU national)

Asked by Creative Elephant · 18 Feb 2025 · 3 replies
Business registration open

Le versement libératoire - is it possible in year 1?

Asked by Creative Elephant · 17 Feb 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Documents required for CPAM

Asked by Creative Elephant · 17 Feb 2025 · 2 replies
Health care and carte vitale open

Micro entrepreneur business / trading name

Asked by Creative Elephant · 17 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
Business registration open

Multiple activities - all profession libérale

Asked by Creative Elephant · 17 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
Business registration open

How do I find the ceseda number that corresponds to my PASSPORT TALENT Business creator?

Asked by WSherwood · 15 Feb 2025 · 4 replies
General business open

Important Documents for Visa Application with VFS

Asked by Ce-photographe · 15 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
General business open

Declaration Urssaf

Asked by linasve · 13 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Adding a consultancy service to my micro-business

Asked by linasve · 13 Feb 2025 · 5 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

First teclaration on urssaf Micro Entrepreneur

Asked by linasve · 13 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Personal bank account as micro-entrepreneur

Asked by linasve · 13 Feb 2025 · 9 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Business Visa Checklist: Police Record

Asked by Ce-photographe · 6 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
General business open

URSSAF categories and tax

Asked by Kith27 · 6 Feb 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Which regime to choose with new 25,000€ VAT threshold

Asked by PIF · 5 Feb 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Question about m2 of working space for business registration

Asked by annawill · 4 Feb 2025 · 2 replies
Business registration open

Urssaf website login

Asked by sofiat · 3 Feb 2025 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Testimonials

I love the way you respond. I don’t understand everything you say just yet but it will all make sense to me when I read up about the points you make. Thank you for the service you offer.

-Sandra