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. Business Visa Application: Online course and 1-to-1 coaching to prepare your business visa application. Get Valerie’s support to submit your visa Profession Libérale or Visa Talent 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 98,005 questions for 3,655 members since 2009!

Business blog

Resources

Best Business Visa in 2026 - Webinar
100 Business ideas to Freelance in France
Micro Entrepreneur Facsheet 2026
Let’s Freelance in France Newsletter
Move to France in 2026 Decision Sheet

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

URSSAF online registration for my wife (conjoint collabarateur)

Asked by ruralgites · 28 Oct 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Is it okay not to use a brick and mortar bank?

Asked by curious kitty · 16 Oct 2026 · 1 reply
General business open

Electronic Invoice

Asked by Le Cadre Parfait · 16 Oct 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Waiting on a France Wise business account to accept payments from U.S. clients

Asked by curious kitty · 16 Oct 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Talent Passport, Regulation of Business Valuation, and Business Ideas

Asked by Esther · 10 Oct 2026 · 3 replies
General business open

TVA and tips for Auto Antrepreneurs

Asked by Clarke · 5 Oct 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Changing from BIC to Regime Reel

Asked by Jono · 22 Sep 2026 · 1 reply
Legal structure open

CPAM Letter

Asked by Le Cadre Parfait · 17 Sep 2026 · 7 replies
Health care and carte vitale open

BNP Paribas Net Expat silence — American on Talent Passport timeline

Asked by MashaI · 12 Sep 2026 · 3 replies
Social and financial help open

Paying myself as an auto-entrepreneur

Asked by MagicLion · 11 Sep 2026 · 1 reply
Social and financial help open

Visa Renewal Options

Asked by jwnow · 8 Sep 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Can I run my UK-based sole trader business remotely during short-term stays using Schengen allowance

Asked by SnowDaisy · 7 Sep 2026 · 3 replies
Legal structure open

What can I claim back as VAT under the Micro Entrepreneur

Asked by Valerie · 5 Sep 2026 · 3 replies
General business open

electronic invoicing deadline with Abby: am I ready?

Asked by Foodfreedom · 27 Aug 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

I’m in France on a visa that says I do online content. Can I teach English?

Asked by Francypants · 17 Aug 2026 · 6 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

UK Limited Company and French Micro-Entrepreneur

Asked by Leeonee · 7 Aug 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Online bank recommendation, please.

Asked by Kundalini · 1 Aug 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Drafting a French business proposal

Asked by Carissa K · 30 Jul 2026 · 1 reply
General business open

Testimonials

I have been a member since the beginning and it is really useful.

-Tracy Thurling