I am finding the system that allows you to work is quite difficult to negotiate. I am going to register in 2008 at The Chambre de Commerce for a range of activities including handyman, parcs et jardins, gardienage etc. The people at the CC don't like this and even more don't like me to mention any activity that is under the Chambre de Metiers (e.g entretien de piscines). I had hoped to register in painting and decorating. I did the stage de gestion but as my 'provable experience' was as a self employed painter I could not register. Thus I will do some painting as a handyman ( which I understand is allowed but god knows where the line is drawn?) and other activities as the work develops. What I have found is that there are barriers to working that frequently make little sense and as such only serve to encourage working au noir. I live here, pay taxes here, so I am quite entitled to comment, criticise or complain about the rules and regulations that govern my life in France. I firmly believe that things need to change in this area to make it easier for people to work legally. EDIT after seeing Russet House post. Do you only use qualified painters (assuming you have used them!) as I dont think this is a regulated activity in the UK.
