Business

Explainer: who pays France’s CFE business tax and what exemptions?

We look at the rules around this tax, which also applies to self-employed workers

French parliament approves law to raise taxes on ‘super-dividends’

The tax will apply to companies with €1 billion in sales or more, such as BNP Paribas, Sanofi, LVMH, and Total

Does working on a bank holiday in France impact pay?

The company, sector, and collective staff agreements can all affect workers’ entitlement

news

Why is there such a row in France over who owns Doliprane?

News of a potential sale of the manufacturer has reignited debates over drug shortages and ‘drug sovereignty’

Which Cora supermarkets in France are rebranding to Carrefour?

The changeover will be gradual and in three stages, with no job losses expected

21 Casino supermarkets to close across France

Almost 1,000 people will lose their jobs in the latest round of upheaval to hit the brand

Amazon pledges to create 3,000 new jobs in France

‘I invite anyone who wants to join us to get involved’, says Amazon France’s CEO as he dismisses controversy over working conditions

Foreign investors still prefer France to UK or Germany, study finds

An annual barometer shows that France is leading in many sectors - however, it hides a more nuanced picture, which shows that the UK is recovering from Brexit

Gite owners in France urged to take advice on tax changes

New tax rules could leave furnished holiday accommodation owners confused about which accounting system to use

Primark plans to double number of low-cost fashion shops in France

The Irish brand wants to open four new sites per year in suburban towns

Many gite owners in France forced into complex and costly tax regime

Some say the new finance law was rushed through and ‘accidently’ penalises gites

Hacker, peep shows, jail: the story of a French tech billionaire

Artificial intelligence is the next realm to be conquered in legendary tycoon Xavier Niel’s colourful career

Business accounting in France to get simpler for some

We explain the new income thresholds that trigger accounting and auditing obligations

Intermarché and Auchan to buy more than 300 Casino stores in France

‘It's the worst Christmas present the staff could have had,’ said a representative of the CGT union, saying workers will not ‘let themselves be thrown away without reacting’

French town’s drought ‘solution’: painting its dried-out grass green!

Grass in Mandelieu-la-Napoule near Cannes is being coated with an organic dye that also helps to replenish it with nutrients

When can a French business charge you for a quote?

It may not be the norm in France, but most companies are allowed to charge for a quote, except those in certain industries

France sets out winter energy saving plan for residents and businesses

Brief cuts to electric radiators at peak times, money for car-sharing and added financial incentives for home working – we outline the key proposals being announced this afternoon

French PM urges big business to return purchasing power to the public

Élisabeth Borne said that ‘everyone should be responsible’ and that she ‘would be paying attention to what large companies do’ with massive profits

French set-up going to plan as UK wine wholesaler moves citing Brexit

€150,000 a year in extra costs were the catalyst for a change of country – but south of France lifestyle is added bonus

‘I fight for wine in French culture, heritage and economy’

The new president of France’s most powerful wine lobby talks to The Connexion about climate change, health and the true value of wine

Foreign firms pledge to invest record €6.7bn in France this year

Technology and manufacturing industries account for most of the investment and job creation

B&B owners in France receive music royalties bill for premises

Gîtes de France body demands clearer guidelines on who is liable and how it will be enforced

Can I sell my micro-entreprise business in France?

The micro-entrepreneur scheme allows you to set up as self-employed with simplified means of paying social security contributions and income tax

French car collector helps other owners find old tyres to fit

‘There are quite a few technical changes to the tyre body which mean modern tyres on an old car can affect performance,’ he told The Connexion

Meet the French brothers who are transforming the used car market

Business is booming for Stimcar founders Yann and Jean-François Brazeau - the firm reconditions second-hand cars for dealers and has plans to expand across Europe

Self-employed in France get new law to protect home if business fails

Personal assets like property, furniture, cars and bank accounts will automatically be protected from debt collectors

Floating phone inventor relocates handset factory from China to France

Wage rises and Covid disruption in China prompted Crosscall’s French founder to build a smartphone factory in Aix-en-Provence

EDF bosses and staff oppose ‘crippling’ electricity bill cap in France

EDF customers get electricity price rises capped at 4% but the French government majority owned firm will lose billions

Ukraine war: How French companies with Russian links may be affected

Auchan, Renault, Engie, Airbus, TotalEnergies: several French giants also operate in Russia

Who can I tell about illegal car business in France?

The mairie is, usually, the first port of call for these issues

Meet the last traditional makers of the Parisian café chair

Paris would not be Paris without its terrace bars and cafés with their signature rattan chairs. When Alexis Dyèvre took on Maison Gatti in 2019, he felt he was buying a small part of the French capital

French Champagne’s record €5.5bn year is ‘victory for good living’

Industry expert says that 2021 sales are likely to be the ‘best ever year for Champagne’ – a marked improvement after the sector was badly hit during the first lockdown in 2020

Money: can I still receive paper invoices instead of online?

Reader question: a while ago I read that firms cannot charge extra to people who want to receive paper invoices instead of email or online versions – is this still the case? S.H.

Do I have to pay the full CFE business tax this year?

There is a tax exemption for businesses with a very small turnover and depending on location, a special two-thirds reduction linked to Covid

I am retired but can I do work as a pet-sitter in France?

Working as a pet-sitting is certainly a possibility if you like animals, however, to do it properly according to the rules involves a certain amount of dedication – and paperwork

How do taxes work for non-French owners when running a gîte?

Running a gîte , explained.

Rules for providing a quotation, or 'devis' for work in France

Providing a quote for services or work is obligatory by law for businesses in certain cases. We explain

France’s favourite brands in 2021: Decathlon, Peugeot, and Leclerc

The third annual ranking saw the sports brand top the poll again but online Covid appointment booking app Doctolib rose up the charts in a sign of the pandemic times

President Macron pays tribute to Bernard Tapie, who has died age 78

The head of state has praised the ‘ambition, energy and enthusiasm’ of the charismatic and much-loved-yet controversial businessman, who has died of cancer

Could health passes be required when French ski resorts reopen?

Tourism minister impressed by the way health passes give reassurance and keep firms in business. It comes as the prime minister announces he is to ask for a law extension so the health pass can be continued after November 15

Should France allow bread to be sold seven days a week?

A bakery union is the latest group to fight a 100-year French law that bans the sale of bread seven days a week - but not all bakers are in favour

June 15 is mid-year payment deadline for France's CFE business tax

Advance payment cuts pain of a big December bill, when the full balance in due

500,000 shopkeepers in France launch anti-Amazon campaign

The online retail giant turns urban centres into ghost towns and destroys local jobs and the environment, the traders claim

Business Sirens and Sirets in France explained

All businesses in France, whatever the size, must have a Siren and a Siret number, and this also applies to self-employed 'micro-entrepreneurs'

Eurostar secures £250m refinancing deal to stave off bankruptcy

The firm, which is based in the UK and operates under UK law, had previously asked both the UK and French governments for help but none was forthcoming.

Britons shocked by post-Brexit difficulties, says ex-ambassador

Peter Ricketts, former British ambassador to France, tells of the difficulties faced by businesses and the 'extra red tape' as well as travel changes

French small businesses struggle with Brexit red tape

A leader of French business body Medef says full Brexit is ‘brutal’ for thousands of small firms and some will cease trading with the UK

Paper fuel cells could track vaccines and help diabetics

The cells, developed over the last 30 years, could replace batteries and be used for enhanced transportation and logistic tracking, say developers, as well as in medical products

French winemakers celebrate EU-US tariff agreement

The two sides have agreed to a four-month suspension of tariffs imposed due to the long-running Airbus-Boeing dispute, which cost French winemakers €500 million in 2020

€500 help to set up website for small businesses in France

Small businesses that had to close during the second confinement are eligible for a €500 grant to help them set up a website

State aid for France's ski resorts as lifts stay closed

Authorities refuse to speculate on possible reopening dates as school holidays loom

How long must you keep your business documents in France?

Businesses must, by law, keep all official documents, such as invoices, that they have sent out or received

Restaurateurs in France fear no January reopening

Government sources have suggested that the reopening of restaurant and cafes will not happen on January 20 as previously announced

Hollywood hero's support phone message for Corsica

Leader of local business association gets action star Chuck Norris to deliver a New Year greeting

‘A cold shower’: French reaction to ski station closure

The French ski industry has reacted to President Macron’s speech with ‘concern’ despite fears that opening stations at Christmas could pile pressure on hospitals

Maison Cadolle: Six generations of haute couture lingerie

Patricia Cadolle is the haute couture grand-daughter of the woman who invented the bra. She speaks to Jane Hanks about the family business

Black Friday in France: Row erupts over possible sales delay

As the economy minister calls for the shopping event to be delayed, shopkeepers call for reopening and a consumer group for more regulation

What are the advantages of portage salarial in France?

In the November edition of The Connexion, the small business and tax advice column answers a reader question on self-employment under portage salarial

Can I invoice and quote for work in English in France?

Regardless of client nationality, it is best to do all paperwork in French to avoid having to pay for translations later on

Watch: Probe built in Toulouse to bring Mars rock to Earth

In 2026 a space probe built in Toulouse will bring rock samples from Mars back to Earth

What lockdown help is there for businesses in France?

The French economy minister has said financial support will be “even stronger than during the first confinement”

French companies ‘not threatened’ by Middle East boycott

Calls to boycott French products in the wake of the row over Islamic cartoons are not a threat to French exports, business heads have said

British Hosting Organisation seeks families across France

Sponsored article: Becoming a host family for Daily English is an exciting and rewarding experience in many ways. Director Sally Cornan explains

Restaurants say French Covid curfew will force closure

The government has not ordered restaurants to close, but owners say they will have to anyway.

France: Foie gras sold at super-low prices in legal loophole

The exception to the usual law can be obtained by direct request, allowing producers to sell at super-low prices at this popular time of year.

Some TGVs to be cancelled in France due to lack of demand

The SNCF will cancel scheduled TGV journeys in the coming months to avoid running empty trains. Passenger numbers are down following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Do small businesses in France still have to accept cash?

In the work section of The Connexion October edition, we answer a reader question on whether small businesses in France must accept cash payments from customers.

Paris deal signed to help firms cope with Brexit challenges

Firms trading between the UK and France are to benefit from increased help to weather the challenges of Covid and Brexit under a new deal signed between a leading business body (the FBCCI) and the UK government.

Coronavirus: French firm wants us to put on a happy facemask

Company offers customers chance to have their smile printed on washable protective equipment

SNCF to adapt pricing structure to aid recovery post Covid

The French train company expects it will take “around two years” to get customers back to pre-Covid levels, its CEO has said.

Facebook France to pay €106 million in new tax settlement

Facebook France is to pay €106 million in tax adjustments after an investigation found it had not properly declared revenue generated in France before 2018.

Supermarkets in France start selling second-hand goods

Supermarkets and hypermarkets in France are to start selling second-hand items, with the Système U group starting last week with sites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Pays de la Loire.

France gives financial aid to self-employed

Self-employed workers in France can now claim financial aid for losses incurred due to Covid-19 for the month of June 2020. We explain the process.

Too much fruit and veg in your garden? You can sell it here

Gardeners with surplus fruit and vegetables now have a handy way to make sure they do not go to waste.

Brexit: "politicians must listen to businesses"

A good Brexit deal this year is key to the future of UK-France trade worth €100billion a year, says the president of the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry.