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 97,890 questions for 3,654 members since 2009!

Business blog

In-Business News: September 2026

Business updates include e-invoicing platform deadline, taxe foncière and taxe d'habitation bills, and the VAT mention reform postponed to 2028. ...

By Valérie Aston · 3 Sep 2026 · 41 views

French Business Terms That Can Land You in Big Trouble

These words and habits sound the same as back home, but they will land you in trouble with your business in France or visa application. Check them to avoid painful mistakes. ...

By Valérie Aston · 18 Jun 2026 · 913 views

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

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 · 1 reply
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 · 2 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

Declaring income that was received before arriving to france

Asked by danbsk · 27 Jul 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

ANEF Business Plan Visa Renewal

Asked by Foodfreedom · 23 Jul 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

CMU and social security

Asked by Jundor · 22 Jul 2026 · 7 replies
Health care and carte vitale open

I do I close my business down? Stuck with INPI

Asked by Valerie · 17 Jul 2026 · 1 reply
General business open

Can I work on a US W2 contract as an AE in France?

Asked by Feathers · 10 Jul 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

invoice payment issued in the last day of the month

Asked by bve · 1 Jul 2026 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Testimonials

Valérie, I really appreciate this forum. Thank you so much for thinking of such a solution and giving your time. I’ve always wanted a mentor, never did I imagine I could have one via a forum.

-KeepEiM