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 96,565 questions for 3,601 members since 2009!

Business blog

Webinar: Visa Profession Libérale & Visa Talent

Join me on 20th November at 6 pm CET, 12 pm EST for this free webinar on the best business visas to freelance in France. 20 mins presentation + live Q&As ...

By Valérie Aston · 27 Oct 2025 · 188 views

Must-Know Tips For A Successful Scouting Trip to France

Let's talk about organising a successful scouting trip to France. And more precisely WHY you may consider a scouting trip & HOW to make the most out of this trip to France ...

By Valérie Aston · 13 Aug 2025 · 1679 views

Resources

Best business visas for France
Join the Start Business In France Forum
100 Business ideas to Freelance in France
Let’s Freelance in France Newsletter
Freelance as a Micro Entrepreneur Webinar

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

Making my micro-entrepeneur listing visible

Asked by StephanieB · 14 Nov 2025
General business new

Tax number / numéro fiscale

Asked by Creative Elephant · 6 Nov 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Business visa France - Letters of Intent from non customers

Asked by jscarter · 5 Nov 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Impôts account activation

Asked by jennofthewoods802 · 4 Nov 2025 · 4 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Can two micro enterprises use 1 domiciliation address (PO Box)

Asked by curious kitty · 2 Nov 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Subcontracting with or as a Micro Entrepreneurs

Asked by Grants Consultant · 27 Oct 2025 · 1 reply
General business open

What o include in URSAFF Tax Declarations

Asked by Grants Consultant · 27 Oct 2025 · 1 reply
General business open

Clarification on Micro-Entrepreneur Status with New Consultancy Activity

Asked by linasve · 26 Oct 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

Which VISA would be appropriate my spouse and I

Asked by Lynette · 23 Oct 2025 · 3 replies
General business open

Clarity needed over VAT threshold

Asked by Creative Elephant · 23 Oct 2025 · 1 reply
Auto-entrepreneur open

VAT LIMIT

Asked by PIF · 23 Oct 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Using Wise for my business account and N26 for my personal account- should I change?

Asked by StephanieB · 20 Oct 2025 · 5 replies
General business open

VAT Threshold Questions for Auto Entrepreneur

Asked by ScottAvecUneBarbe · 15 Oct 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Wise USD account details unavailable for American Micro Entrepreneur

Asked by jennofthewoods802 · 14 Oct 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Will a commissioned market study help my auto-entrepreneur application

Asked by ColdWarVet · 13 Oct 2025 · 3 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

ANEF requests visa Profession Liberale

Asked by LucyCie · 8 Oct 2025 · 7 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

New business not receiving mail from URSSAF

Asked by cheyanne.johnson · 7 Oct 2025 · 3 replies
Business registration open

Residency Timeline for Working Spouse of Visa Talent Applicant

Asked by LoveFranceLife · 5 Oct 2025 · 2 replies
Auto-entrepreneur open

Testimonials

I spoke to you back in 2012 about setting up my auto-entrepreneur business and since then everything has gone very well. Your blog was invaluable in those early stages. Total life-saver.

-Georgina