Hi all - at some point in the next 12 months, my partner and I intend to move to France - with luck, to the south of the Correze, within striking distance of Beaulieu sur Dordogne. I've asked this before on another forum, and whilst I certainly respect the replies I got there, I thought that there might be other perspectives to be found. So: The idea is that I set up a pottery workshop / atelier, and my partner carries on working over the internet as she always has. She works for a large legal publishing firm who have offices in France, and that bit of it should present relatively few problems. I’ve always assumed that getting permission to use a barn for arty endeavours would be fairly straightforward – a typical setup being a workshop, and an area for selling stuff. Am I right? In general, I mean? I’m sure there are always local considerations to be taken into account, but can anyone tell me the general attitude to such ventures? Assuming that is correct, how will I then be perceived by the authorities? I understand that artists receive favourable conditions with respect to cotisation, etc., but is a potter considered to be an artist? Like most potters, I operate something of a mixed economy: I make 'domestic ware' - mugs, teapots, jugs, etc., - but also a fair smattering of one-off 'arty' bits. Am I artist or artisan? And what are the implications? In short, I'm very unlikely to be earning a great deal - what are my best options for characterising my self-employment? I hope my confusion is clear (??!?) - all input very gratefully received!
