3. Getting Start-Up Advice
It is not the intention of these pages to give out advice about whether or not to set up a particular type of business or how to run one.
We think you are the best person to decide those questions, in collaboration with your professional advisors!
Nevertheless, one thing we are certain about is the importance of getting professional advice, and to get plenty of it, from different people.
The stories are legion of those who have jumped in recklessly, only to later regret it.
We appreciate language is going to be a barrier for some people, but many of the advisors speak English and, if they do not, take someone to translate for you.
Accordingly, we provide below summary information on the main sources of advice that you will find in France.
- 3.1 Accountant
- 3.2 Notaire/Avocat
- 3.3 Chambre de Commerce
- 3.4 Chéquiers-Conseil
- 3.5 APCE Business Start Agency
- 3.6 Boutiques de gestion
- 3.7 Trade Association
- 3.8 Market Research Consultants
- 3.9 Forums
3.1. Accountant
If we were setting up a business in France, our first and most important visit would be to a good, commercially orientated accountant.
An accountant is called an expert comptable.
Most have a good understanding of business law, the business climate and taxation matters – as well as providing accountancy advice!
Ask around in the area as to the best accountants and visit a few before you decide on the one you wish to use. Most will be prepared to provide you with an hour or so of free advice, in the hope of picking up your business account.
3.2. Notaire/Avocat
If you are proposing to establish a limited company to run the business, then you should visit a good Notaire, who should be able to provide useful advice and assistance on setting up a company, notably in relation to the legal aspects, business registration and business tenancies.
The preliminary advice is likely to be given free of charge.
Some Notaires are not active in business creation and development, so you may need to look around.
If your circumstances are complex or, particularly if you are buying an existing business, then as an alternative to an Notaire, you may wish to see an avocat specialising in commercial matters. The fees are unlikely to be a trifling matter so ask them about their rates.
3.3. Chambre de Commerce
A third source of advice is your local Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie (CIC). The CIC are important statutory bodies in France with a major role in business registration and development.
As they do have a semi-regulatory function, you may need to be a bit cautious about what you tell them but if you can find your way around their organisation, they can provide you with invaluable information about the local market, regulations, tax and social security matters.
3.4. Chéquiers-conseil
You can get financial assistance towards the costs of business advice through a national network of qualified business advisors called chéquiers-conseil.
The assistance is available mainly to the unemployed, those on social security, or those being made redundant. You can register as unemployed when you arrive in France, without the right to pick up social security benefits.
Beneficiaries obtain cheques each valued at €45.74 towards up to 36 hours of financial or business advice, each costing €60.98. So a contribution from you of €15.24 for each hour of advice is required.
You may be able to receive up to 12 hours of advice prior to start-up, and up to 18 hours during the first year of activity.
If you believe you may be eligible you should make enquiries to the Direction Départementale du Travail de l’Emploi et la Formation Professionnelle (DDTEFP) (!) in your préfecture. You can also download 
the application form.
3.5. Business Start-Up Agency
The national business start-up agency in France is called 'APCE' - Agence pour la creation d’entreprises. They have a very useful web site (in French), which can be found at APCE .
There is also a very good FAQ section on the site. Sadly, you will need to be able to speak French to make any use of it.
3.6. Boutiques de gestion
This is another national business start-up agency who have available a list of business advisors all over the country. They also run a range of useful training courses, many of which you can attend free of charge, or at minimum cost.
Whilst their web site is less useful for business advice it contains the list of local advisors. Most assistance is offered free of charge.
The site can be found at Boutiques de Gestion
3.7. Trade Association/Professional Body
We also suggest you contact the national trade association or professional body responsible for the business activity in which you intend to operate.
Whatever type of business you propose to enter you are sure to find in France a national representative body pressing the interests of its members!
The Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie is probably the best source of advice for a local or regional address for their offices.
3.8. Market Research Consultants
A couple of sources of high quality market research for the serious entrepreneur are Euromonitor and Xerfi .
The former is written in English, the latter in French.
Their reports cost anything from €500 to €5000!
3.9. Forums
Apart from the professional sources of advice listed, if you have not alreadly done so, we also suggest you try our Forum, or the many other expat Forums available on the web.
You need to select what you believe with care, but your circumstances and queries are unlikely to be unique, so learn from the experience of others.
Next: Business Classification
Work & Business in France