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 96,860 questions for 3,607 members since 2009!

Business blog

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 · 150 views

Resources

How to Create Gite AirBnb in France
Let’s Freelance in France Newsletter
Best business visas for France
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

CFE tasks complete?

Asked by Foodfreedom · 19 Jan 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Micro entrepreneur visa timing

Asked by Pierre · 16 Jan 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Is It Possible To Pause An Entrepreneur Visa Due To Illness?

Asked by SnowDaisy · 14 Jan 2026 · 2 replies
Social and financial help open

Questions for Filling out the 2026 CFE N° 1447-C-K (Late)

Asked by ScottAvecUneBarbe · 14 Jan 2026 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Working with one client

Asked by Jenny · 14 Jan 2026 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

How long does ANEF approval of a business plan last?

Asked by StephanieB · 8 Jan 2026 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Adding product sales to existing personal services ME

Asked by jennofthewoods802 · 4 Jan 2026 · 2 replies
Business registration open

ANEF business validation questions

Asked by S tip · 31 Dec 2025 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Prélèvements sociaux for microentrepreneur (BNC)

Asked by RH123 · 29 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Contracts with freelancers

Asked by thestudio · 27 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
General business open

CFE with Domiciliation

Asked by CKinEurope · 26 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Creating an Association

Asked by ScottAvecUneBarbe · 18 Dec 2025 · 2 replies
General business open

SAS without a physical location in France

Asked by thestudio · 18 Dec 2025 · 2 replies
SARL, EURL, SAS etc. open

Are there existing medical conditions which could cause your visa application to be rejected?

Asked by ColdWarVet · 14 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Health care and carte vitale open

Cannot find the personal budget finance sheet discussed in module 3, “Reality Check”

Asked by Abbie S · 11 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Social and financial help open

Reporting turnover for the month before?

Asked by Foodfreedom · 9 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

TVA requirements

Asked by Jenny · 4 Dec 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Electronic invoicing

Asked by Jenny · 4 Dec 2025 · 4 replies
General business open

Testimonials

Many thanks for a fantastic website, perhaps I can stop pulling my hair out now!

-Mazza