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 97,130 questions for 3,624 members since 2009!

Business blog

New Micro Entrepreneur Turnover limits 2026-2028

The Micro Entrepreneur turnover thresholds have been increased in 2026. Check the maximum sales you can make and get my tips of things to pay attention to. ...

By Valérie Aston · 24 Mar 2026 · 183 views

Gite and Retreat Properties for sale in Dordogne

Are you looking for gite and retreat properties for sales in France? I've asked my friend Henrietta at Beaux Villlages to share a few. Sneak peak... ...

By Valérie Aston · 23 Mar 2026 · 64 views

Best Business Visas for France in 2026

Things have toughen up since 2025. The French Embassy and DREETS are being more thorough with visa profession liberale and visa talent. ...

By Valérie Aston · 2 Feb 2026 · 624 views

Webinar - 6 Mistakes Made by Gite Owners in France

If you plan to open a Gite or Airbnb in 2026, now is the time to get ready, looking for reliable information on rules, taxes, setup and registration process ...

By Valérie Aston · 6 Jan 2026 · 439 views

Resources

Best Business Visa in 2026 - Webinar
Create a Gite or Airbnb In France - Complete Guide 2026
100 Business ideas to Freelance in France
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

Complete List of Required Documents

Asked by FR-by-SW · 24 Mar 2026
General business new

Business Visa France: One-Way Flight Requirement

Asked by FR-by-SW · 23 Mar 2026 · 1 reply
General business open

Mail Boxes Etc. for Domiciliation Address

Asked by FR-by-SW · 23 Mar 2026 · 2 replies
General business open

Working with contractors who are non-French residents

Asked by thestudio · 20 Mar 2026 · 5 replies
SARL, EURL, SAS etc. open

Business Plan approval by ANEF

Asked by JRestrepo · 18 Mar 2026 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

URSSAF bug - Not possible to declare Micro Entrepreneur turnover from abroad

Asked by Valerie · 17 Mar 2026
Auto-entrepreneur new

URSSAF attestation

Asked by jennofthewoods802 · 16 Mar 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Declaring overseas financial accounts in the France 2026 tax declaration

Asked by Creative Elephant · 12 Mar 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Two micro-entrepreneurs at the same address working for the same client

Asked by Creative Elephant · 9 Mar 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Tax implications for second home / renovations.

Asked by Den · 7 Mar 2026 · 1 reply
Gîte, chambre et table d’hôte open

What business bank accounts allow the addition of EI after my name?

Asked by StephanieB · 3 Mar 2026 · 3 replies
General business open

VAT Registration

Asked by Grants Consultant · 1 Mar 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Wise Business Account Question

Asked by Madame Fromage · 28 Feb 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Valerie’s Private Facebook Group

Asked by FR-by-SW · 25 Feb 2026 · 3 replies
General business open

La Poste for Domiciliation Address

Asked by FR-by-SW · 20 Feb 2026 · 2 replies
Social and financial help open

Majority of Income from Family-Owned Company

Asked by FR-by-SW · 18 Feb 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

ANEF Savings Requirement

Asked by Mustardseed · 17 Feb 2026 · 1 reply
General business open

Multi-Year Residence Permit/Carte de séjour pluriannuelle

Asked by Grants Consultant · 15 Feb 2026 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Testimonials

I have just joined your forum on starting a business in France, and have read many really useful posts here.

-LottieVR