In France you must have an accountant and be registered with the Chamber of Commerce before you can start to work on your business.
Having said that, whether it’s hosting a B&B, renovating cottages or running a pub, the possibilities of having a business in France are endless – but you should take professional advice.

The type of commercial property France available includes:

Commercial property france : Hotels, Inns and Bars

Many have an idyllic vision of buying a bar/hotel in the heart of the French countryside and living a tranquil life, serving drinks a few hours each day and doing meals at weekends.
But bars in France stay open all day and evening : you’re expected to stay open even if you only have one customer for hours. If you don’t, local people soon start to think that you don’t want their custom.
If buying a hotel/restaurant business , have it inspected by the DDASS, who are the French equivalent of Health and Hygiene. French authorities are lenient with locals who’ve owned their establishment for years, when the place is sold to someone else, they insist on all the latest regulations being enforced.

Commercial property france : Shops
It is easy to think that if no one is selling something in an area, it will do well as there is no competition.
Unfortunately no one may be selling it for a simple reason – because there just wasn’t a big enough market for this kind of product. Good retail commercial property France can be hard to find. If you’re buying it’s easy to get confused between ‘les murs’, the ‘pas de porte’ and the ‘fond de commerce’ and leasing in France can be a minefield for the uninitiated . Make sure you get a good avocat [solicitor], and make sure they read the small print very carefully.

Commercial property france : Office suites and blocks
As with shop property, French leases need the eye of an avocat [French lawyer] specialising in this type of agreement.

Commercial property france : B&B 's
For a B&B, if you have less than six rooms you are not running a ‘commercial activity’, and won’t have to sign on at the Chamber of Commerce, or pay social security. The supply has however, outstripped demand in many areas. Market research and not too many false hopes will help to make sure your venture can work.

Commercial property france : Character buildings for redevelopment-
into everything from hotels to venues for conferences and specialist holidays to residential development.
Hopefully if you have the funds to invest, you will already have lots of business experience- you are likely to need it!

Building and renovation
With so many British buying elderly stone cottages in need of loving renovation, the building trade is booming in France. So if you’re a roofer, plasterer, or general builder this might be the business for you. You will probably have the advantage when it comes to dealing with British families, but if you intend to compete in the French market you’ll need to speak the language. If you don’t speak fluent French, make sure you settle somewhere where there are enough Expats to generate regular work.
Do check with the local Chamber of Commerce that you have the right qualifications to be allowed to register for your chosen trade. 'Experience' does not count on a French form- and you will need paper to prove yourself. If you check in time, you may be able to get the qualifications in the UK BEFORE you move to commercial property France.

SETTING UP A BUSINESS FROM COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FRANCE:

Paperwork is a major headache in running your own business in France.The French social security system is excellent - but expensive an complicated.
It is divided into four ‘regimes’ The regime autonome governs those who are self employed and contributions are collected by the 'URSAFF'. As an entrepreneur you will register directly with this body and have to pay around EUR 6,000 to 9,000 per annum.
You will have to pay this, even if you earn less than this amount! So you must have plenty of savings to tide you over the first year.
Consult an English speaking French accountant.

Do your market research: According to the French Chamber of Commerce, 7 out of 10 businesses fail because they haven't checked the market and business prospects.

Don’t mistake France for England - you must learn to do things the 'French Way'.