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 18th March 2010
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Welcome to Business in France Welcome to our Business in France zone. For many people arriving in France, being self-employed is a big part of the dream. But all new businesses require careful preparation. Read our series of articles which are a step-by-step guide to setting up a business in France, beginning with starting a business in France. We also have a guide on the kinds of business opportunities available to expats in France, and advice on registering your business in France as well as on business tax, social security and insurance and the new auto-Entrepreneur system for small businesses. For professional advice and information on grants and other monies available, take a look at our list of helpful French organisations. Also, do read our tips on writing a business plan. For stories of those who have already done it, see our many real life stories. If you are looking to buy a business in France, then search our Business for sale in France database and browse a variety of business opportunities across France from restaurants to shops and hotels. If you are thinking of buying a gîte search our gîtes for sale database. Business Forum Working in France If you're after paid employment in France take a look at our Working in France zone with its guide to the French job market which includes information on employment law including contracts. We can also help you put together your CV and prepare for an interview.
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Business in France
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Uccimac - Business Opportunities
 A one-stop entry point for buying a business in the Massif Central region of France.
Premier Property Care Franchise Opportunity
 Have the freedom of being self-employed but the security of belonging to an established network by joining us as we expand our Property Care Managers in France
Internet Marketing in France
 Optimisation services on the French Riviera including web design, internet marketing, PayPerClick advertising, content writing, translations, competitor research, market analysis and innovation with new technology including cutting edge mobile sites. www.relevanceweb.com.
Need help with French administration?
 A La Carte bilingual staff can assist with any queries on French administration, running a business, property and inheritance issues, legal advice and much more.
Les Bons Voisins
 We are extending our successful network of franchised
Property managers across France. A proven framework and support – if you have the right skill set, why not come and join us?
Property Finder Business Opportunities
 This summer we launched France's first ever national network of property finders. FrenchEntrée Property Finders (FEPF) are looking for energetic and talented property finder partners in over 50 locations throughout France. Further information.
Latest France Forum
FrenchEntrée Adviser Panel |
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Over 12,000 properties for sale throughout France..... More search options Use a property finder |
We talked to Christine LaCroix, Project Manager of UCCIMAC, to find out how the organisation can assist expats looking to take-over a business in the Massif-Central.
French law offers a wide variety of structures for new businesses looking to establish themselves within “l’Hexagone”. The last few years have seen a number of important reforms which have brought about changes to the way companies can be set-up and expanded. Here, Andrew Charlier of Ince & Co Law in Paris outlines two of the legal structures available; the SARL and the SCI.
Historically, the majority of expatriates leaving the UK for a new life in France have been those at, or near, retirement age, keen to wind down to a more relaxed lifestyle in a dreamed-of rural retreat. However, things are set to change as Duncan Campbell of Siddalls explains...
We have decided to pick out a selection of our best value businesses for sale on FrenchEntrée. Moving to France to run a business can be a great financial and life changing opportunity and can be the answer for many uncertain about what career they would pursue in France. 
Since January 2009, A La Carte has helped a lot of people set up their own small business under the new auto entrepreneur regime and has assisted them with all the follow-up paperwork and the on line declarations and payment. We have also been on hand to assist those who have tried to do it on their own but have since found they do not understand all the paperwork, or do not appear to be in the system! (span class="more">
If you are running a company, or are about to set-up one, then you need to review many things and maybe do things you hadn't thought of doing before. Here are our top tips for protecting your business in France...
Whilst the auto-entrepreneur scheme was advocated as being a tax saver, the next best thing to the ‘micro’ taxation system, many people are in fact suffering as a result of this new measure, and to their cost, as Michael Annett explains...
If you are planning to relocate to France and are still at the age where you need an income you may be dreaming of setting up your own business. Perhaps you know exactly what it is you want to do, or are looking for a business opportunity in France. Read our Practical Guide
The standing joke amongst many British emigrés is that while 'entrepeneur' is a French word, to be an entrepeneur in France today is extremely difficult. Being self-employed is not straight-forward - you need to cope with a different system, more red tape and higher costs. But it can be done. Here's what you need to know before you set up shop 
If your answer is YES, then read what is following as it might just be what you’ve been waiting for...
The French tax year is the calendar year running from 1st January to 31st December. If you are a relatively new arrival in France then you will need to know what your tax obligations are in preparing for the tax year...
The French government has introduced new measures aimed at reducing the taxes and financial costs of running a small business or being self-employed in France...
Whilst moving to France is generally seen as a great pleasure, setting up a rental activity (whether as a business or not) can sometimes raise some very grey and occasionally complicated tax and financial areas. Vincent Gray, of VG Consultants, brings us an overall guide to letting French property...
The thought of sitting down and writing a business plan is enough to either fill most people with terror or make the eyes glaze over very quickly indeed! But putting together a business plan is a great way to focus your mind on exactly what your enterprise is going to be - and whether it is viable. 
You can never get enough advice when starting up a business in France so here's some more! Including information about registering with the French jobs agency ANPE and a list of organisations which can assist you .jpg)
You cannot start trading before you have legally registered your business – to do so can incur severe penalities. You can set up your business at your local business registration centre, called a Centre des Formalités des Enterprises (CFE). 
Riviera Home Finders International the very successful and established English estate agents based in the South of France are now specialising in the sale of businesses including hotels, gites and restaurants.
The following is a simple guideline to how the tax system works. Before going ahead with setting up your business, you should take professional advice.
Planning to move to France and thinking of a gîte business to earn an income? Then take a look at our advice and real life stories to help you decide whether you want to do it, the best way of going about it, plus tips and advice from those already making a living. 
In order to protect the consumer and other holiday accommodation professionals a law of 15th April 2006 and a decree of 3rd August 2007, have been inserted in the Tourism Code, this type of activity has been defined and made subject to conditions...
Are you looking to buy a business? If so search our Business for sale in France database where we have a wide range of business opportunities from restaurants and shops to hotels. 
Summer 2008 saw the launch of France’s first ever national network of property finders. FrenchEntrée Property Finders (FEPF) are looking for property finder partners in over 50 locations throughout France and have already signed contracts with eight agents for territories within the Alps, the Loire and Normandy, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon and Aquitaine. 
In 2008, Yasmeen and Jonathan Moore set up a gîte complex in the Mayenne with a restaurant for guests. Due to the popularity of the restaurant and also due to the pleading from local British people they decided to open the restaurant to non-residents on Friday evenings for curry nights. Here's their story...
When Suzanne and her son moved to France on a 
In 2002, Anna and Phil Brown decided to swap their house in the South West of England for the South West of France. After selling their house and business in the UK, they bought a farm in Gasques, which had plenty of run down buildings and land. They arrived in France with their two young children and several horses, knowing that they had their work cut out for them!
Vegetarian Topic Host Trevor Bridge explains how he and his wife Jocelyn came to be running a luxury vegetarian cottage in France...
For many who move to France finding an opportunity to work from home is the ultimate goal but sometimes knowing what to do can be a difficult decision. I spoke to our regional partners, Jamie and Greca, about how they came to manage the FrenchEntrée Languedoc-Roussillon website.
Richard Green is the managing director and founder of Riviera Home Finders International estate agents who cover the whole of south west France. Over the years his business has gone from strength to strength, we found out his story...
Keith and Helen Archibald have been running a successful bed & breakfast and gîte business for many years. Throughout the main holiday season, they serve their guests breakfast every morning - and most evenings, they also produce a gourmet four-course supper. Keith tells us how they do it...
Sally Stone and her husband, Mervyn, planned to have a holiday home in France. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and, a little later, she was made redundant, and they were forced to completely changed their plans. Here's their story 
After finishing university in the UK, Oliver Jenner and Amy Jones decided that the best place to start their sausage-making and pork business was France. It has become a huge success...
Sarah Andrews had been an artisan tiler in the UK but it took her a lot of time and patience to become registered in France...
Linette and Stuart Smith had never run a restaurant until they moved to Brittany. Over the past year they have learned the hard way what makes a restaurant work - but they have no regrets
Despite having to battle red tape and high charges, builder Stephen Fishlock's business is growing fast - as is his turnover and ultimately the money he makes.