Is it worth the effort of starting a busness in France?

[Vivijones]

Hi there

Im looking for some advice as to whether the bureaucracy and cotisations make it worthwhile running a small business in France that may not produce much in the way of profits.

Let me explain our situation and what I am thinking of doing. My partner used to be a well paid, high flying freelance computer consultant but about four years ago became seriously ill and is unlikely ever to return to full time work. Luckily we have some savings and investments, which give us a small income of about 8000 a year. Now in the UK over half this goes to pay the mortgage and because we have savings we do not get any benefits so we are dipping into our savings to survive. But we do have sufficient equity in our house to buy and restore a house in a smallish Brittany village so this is what we are in the process of doing.

Now Im an artist and sell a few painting and sculptures, but not enough to make a living from at present. The house we are buying has an outbuilding of about 180 sq meters, which we are planning to make my studio. I was thinking about making it into a gallery and trying to sell either my own or other peoples work. The village we are in is not on the main tourist trail but does get some passing through in summer, so we are unlikely to make a fortune, but would it be worth the effort involved?

My partner, who has lived in France before, thinks not, he thinks we would be better trying to live cheaply off the income from our savings, maybe supplementing with a bit of cash computer work and selling the occasional painting.
What are other peoples opinions?

Vivi

[Tink]

Vivi,

I wonder, have you thought of giving art workshops during the summer or maybe throughout the year? If you have that much space it might be a good additional source of income. If not for tourist than maybe for the foreign community or for the Bretons in your village? (children?)

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Tink (22)

[Teejay]

LAST EDITED ON 10-Mar-04 AT 09:36 AM (GMT)

>My partner, who has lived in
>France before, thinks not, he
>thinks we would be better
>trying to live cheaply off
>the income from our savings,
>maybe supplementing with a bit
>of cash computer work and
>selling the occasional painting.
>What are other peoples opinions?
>
>Vivi


For what it's worth I think your partner is correct in his assumption that running a gallery from home may not be the safest route to follow.

Try selling your work first by another source even if it does require you to travel to an area swelled by tourists during the summer season. That way you will discover whether there is a market for your paintings. Some departments, I believe, are actively promoting artists by giving them concessions. This may be the safest route to follow until you feel confident enough to go it alone with your original plan. You will also gain knowledge of other artists' work and therefore make contacts which could be useful.

I have a passing knowledge of art workshops from a friend back in the UK who used to run them. She was constantly looking for funding and her job seemed to involve more and more admin and less and less hands on with the workshops. She also was a qualified teacher with art as her speciality. I'm not sure of the requirement for running art groups/art holidays etc but I'm sure a recognised qualification goes a long way to ensuring the powers that be that you are kosher. (this is not to suggest that you haven't a qualification just an observation, that's all)

My advice is not given as someone who is selling work in France. It's just that I have been a professional artist for thirty years and know what a fickle area this is to compete in and even with the experience I hope I have gained over the years I just know that I would choose the less risky route first.

Hope this helps.

J.

[Moore]

Hi

I cannot answer your specific query on the paperwork etc. but am very interested in your ideas.

We have bought a house in a village on the tourist route and we kind of got another thrown in 'two for the price of one' offer!

The second house is on the main street of the village; a three room (2 facing the main street and a kitchen and loo) single storey mid-terrace. It is straight across from the Marie Office which has a large empty car park. This house only needs painting and re-wiring.

I am an artist who would aspire to sell some work - given the time to practice and build a larger portfolio.

I am thinking of using the little house as a Gallery come drop in tea/coffee shop and as such am hoping you get lots of advice which I can pinch!

Maybe, if we both do decide this kind of project is worthwhile we could send each other some works to display in each others outlets. If I do decide to go ahead it would be a great source of stock to display and hopefully sell others work (at a commission!). As an aside to this point though; I thought work priced as high as that exhibited at the Living France Exhibition was not in most peoples price bracket.

Just better say that for me this project would just be a bit of added spice - I will not be depending on it for any income - but hopefully could make enough to cover the cost of my oil paints and wasted canvas; if only by selling the odd cup of Organic Tea and a cream scone to local or passing Brits.

Hope you find what you desire and that you get lots of useful advise I can pinch on admin. etc.

Helen