Framing in France

[Trillian]

Hello Fellow Framers

Just wanted to pick your brains, and find out if anyone has managed to successfully start a framing business in France?

I have been running my own business in the UK for a few years, and now my Husband and I are considering relocating across Le Channel (Normandy), where I would like to continue framing, and possibly open a gallery or expand into printmaking. I have browsed the Framers Forum, and discovered a few like-minded souls (crummockd, onetopcat, KB183244D, danny11), and wondered whether any have been successful?

Fortunately I speak a modicum of French, and have been able to do some research on t'internet, as well as joining the French Framers' Forum. However use of the www in France is not as extensive as it is in the UK, and the French Forum is not as bouyant as this one!

The world of framing in France seems not to be as established/comprehensive as it is in the UK, so any words of wisdom/advice/personal experiences would be gratefully received.

Regards
Sam

[jon buck]

Hi Sam

saw your message about framing in France, I have a home in Brittany and have yet to come across a dedicated framing workshop however i did hear of a place about fifteen miles north of our place. The town is called Rostrenen , I will do a bit of homework for you and give you the details if I can track them down.

I have seen framing agents in some of the big stores and hypermarkets (not very impressive)

Jon

[Trillian]

Hi Jon

Thanks for your response.

Any info that you can provide would be really helpful.

We were thinking that there may be a demand amongst the ex-pat (non-French speaking?) community, but I would also like to be able to offer my framing skills to locals, who are perhaps looking for something a bit 'extra' to that which is currently available.

Kind regards
Sam

[jon buck]

Sam

I was thinking about your comments re. looking after ex-pats . I have seen a lot of businesses fail in France just trying to look after the brits . I would suggest you must learn to speak French and intergrate with the locals.
In doing that you can create a good life and hopefully make a few Euros.

My wife and I nearly made the move a couple of years ago but decided we are getting on a bit . It was interesting re the property side in France . Things did seem very cheap regarding rents etc. Even to the point the local Mayor was offering a property rent free.

As I mentioned before I will try and do a bit of homework for you.

Jon

[Nigel Nobody]

What is the big attraction to move to France among Brits?

Frogs legs? Plonk? Weather?....what?

[prospero]

There was a bit of a migration a few years back. All tied to the prevailing property market. I heard that in France, people prefer to live in towns. So there were/are lots of biggish country places that could be had for the price of a dog-kennel at the back of Oxford street. Same thing with Scotland. People selling a little semi in Wimbledon and buying a castle.

[Trillian]

Thanks for your responses/interest in my posting, it's always great to hear others' thoughts.

Fortunately both my husband and I already speak reasonable French, which is why I would like to offer my services to both locals and ex-pats (many of whom, as you rightly point out, struggle to pick up the lingo!) I too have known of a number of Brits who have moved to various parts of Europe, and generally, those who have succeeded in making a new life are the ones who have bothered to learn the language and tried to integrate. Those who return with tales of woe generally fail to do any research, learn the language or socialise with the locals.

As for why we're moving there...

Well. We currently live in the South East, and are struggling to cope with the Chelsea Tractors, Yummy Mummies, rudeness, arrogance and hectic pace of life around here. Not all Southerners are like that of course, some of us are even quite nice ! As you only get one chance at life, we thought that it might be quite nice to live somewhere else for a while, and soak up a different culture.

Oh, and in France we could afford to buy a nice house and be mortgage free !

Funnily enough, we also considered Scotland (and Wales, and just about everywhere else in between), but decided that France is just different enough, without being too scary! We'll see how it goes, we haven't moved just yet!!

Regards
Sam

[jon buck]

Sam

Spot on with your comments, sorry as usual I didn't take in all of the original posting re language etc.

Jon

[jon buck]

Sam

Forgot to mention.

We were over in France last week in Brittany and had a lovely four course meal (I hasten to add all fresh produce) with a large bottle of acceptale red wine for 10 euros a head.

Jon

[Trillian]

Hello again Jon

What better reason than that!

S'funny y'know, ever since we first mooted the idea of moving to France, all our friends seem strangely keen on it. And the words 'free' and 'holiday' keep cropping up in conversation!

Also know what you mean about 'getting on a bit'. We've spoken to a few people who have moved abroad who wish they'd done it when they were younger, and others who haven't moved, and wished they had! I guess that until you try, you don't know whether it will work or not. And for us, now just happens to be the right time. Still, Brittany is lovely, and no doubt being able to get away for even a long weekend makes the journey worthwhile...

Kind regards

Sam

ps. apology accepted

[Keith Hewitt]

If you want to find out about other Brits running framing biz in Brittany, then I suggest you go and visit or phone or e mail both these distributors in Brittany.
They know most, if not all the framers as they supply them with mdgs, mat board etc.

Near the Rennes ring road - ATF - 12 rue du Noyer, Rennes. gilles.atf@wanadoo.fr
Tel + 33 2 99 53 20 81 speak to Gilles

About 1/2 hour south of Rennes - Moulurex, La Mine, Pont Pean 35131
moulurex@wanadoo.fr
Te; + 33 2 99 52 80 81
Speak to Yves Le Tourmelin or Yolande

They may even know of frame shops on the market, with established clientele
Bon chance!

[Trillian]

Cher Keith

Merci beaucoup pour l'information, c'est tres utile!

I must admit that it never occured to me to approach the suppliers to pick their brains, good thinking Batman!

Regards,
Sam

[Primrose]

Framing in France is not similar to the uk at all really.
There are few of the Wessex/Tawnycraft suppliers, so materials are less easy to come across.
The impression I got is that you have to stock more, as getting small deliveries, or popping to a supplier is not easy (such a huge country and such a small industry)

I get quite a few jobs from various regions of France, suggesting that it is either very expensive, not so wide ranging and creative, or just diffucult to come across good framers.
Probably all of the above.

Good luck with your venture
Neil

[Trillian]

Hi Neil

Thanks for the info, it's interesting that you're getting jobs from across the Channel. Are your customers French or English? From what I've seen so far, the French style of framing appears to be more....how shall I put it? Decorative? Examples of work by French framers that I've come across on the internet, seem to resemble something that you might produce for a competition, to showcase your skills, rather than something that a customer may actually want to live with. Or maybe that's just me having a preference for subtle framing styles that complement the picture rather than overwhelm it!

I also think that you're right about suppliers. It would seem that some framers get their supplies from DIY chain stores, so I may, as you say, end up having to buy more 'in bulk'. Hey ho!

I suspect that there is also the perennial problem of competing with the likes of the high street ready-mades. I certainly agree that the industry is not as wide spread as it is in the UK. Perhaps I'll start a framing revolution!!

Sam

[Primrose]

I have had both French and English ex pat clients (from England, not using the 'generic' for British! )
I am not cheap, yet they tell me it is expensive there.
I dont think it is our disease (expensive rent and rates) that makes it expensive so it must be other costs.

You could do very well, though you may have to spread a wide net for customers

neil

[Trillian]

I dont think it is our disease (expensive rent and rates) that makes it expensive so it must be other costs.

You could do very well, though you may have to spread a wide net for customers

neil

Just what I was thinking!

[mikeysaling]

pelican - i have a customer (although not seen him for a couple of years) that brought me framing work from france saying it was cheaper to get it framed here than there! he is a brit who was working in uk and spending weekends in france him and his missus have a gite and she is there all the time.

reading books - dya have a kindle? makes life easy if you travel.

[crummockd]

Hello

Not much to add to what has already been said. Seems to me that most framing jobs here end up at supermarkets (ready-made cheap frames) or the likes of M. Bricolage, Leroy Merlin etc. Although I have not done much in-depth research, it seems to me that picture-framing is done differently here (I am in Brittany) and, whereas there were quite a few of us out there working as low-volume framers in Scotland, I have not yet heard of anything similar here. Supplies of materials, especially glass, were never a problem - I could always get say 25 or 30 sheets delivered at a reasonable price, but I think it is harder and maybe more expensive here. Apart from glass supplies, you might end up relying on Lion or similar for your consumables. Someone suggested contacting agents here, and that seems to be a good idea.

On a more general point, if you are coming over here to do picture-framing, you will have to comply with all the regulations governing self-employment. And - they do speak French here! There might be enough business to keep you going among the UK expats - but maybe not. It does help greatly if you can talk to the locals in their own language and look for business there.

As with any prospective business venture, it pays to do all possible research before going ahead. I have been here for a year or so and any plans I had to return to picture-framing have had to wait until we were fully established here. However, I am not too encouraged by what I have learned so far on the p-f front and so would advise caution - and lots of research!

I hope this does not sound too negative. France is a wonderful country to live in, and our only regret is that we did not make the move earlier. It is however different from the UK in many ways and so there are many learning curves to be surmounted. Good luck!

[prospero]

Seems strange that a country with such a rich 'arty' heritage wouldn't have a huge framing industry. Same with Holland it would appear. I have one long-standing customer in Holland who has been bringing me prints to frame for over 20years. I've also reframed all the ones he did already have framed before we met. He doesn't bring so many as he used to as his walls are now full.

[Trillian]

Many thanks to propsero and mikeysaling for your comments.

Yes, it is strange that France prides itself on its cultural heritage, and yet framers are somewhat thin on the ground. However, in the less metropolitan areas, I would hazard a guess that home decor is not as high a priority as it is here in the UK. Perhaps they haven't experienced the "To Buy Changing Homes Under The Sixty Minute Relocation In The Sun" effect!!!

You only have to compare properties for sale on either side of the Channel to see what I mean!

Never let it be said that I'm not up for a challenge.

Also a big thank you to crummockd...

It's great to get some words of wisdom from the coal face. I couldn't agree more with your comments about French regulations. I have been trying to explain to people that you simply can't move to France and set yourself up in any business that you choose. I think that this is where a lot of people come unstuck. That, and not speaking the language, of course.

Research Research Research! Fortunately I have received some advice from the French Framers Forum, and have been trawling through pages and pages of information on French websites regarding self employment, business law, income tax and the dreaded social charges. I'm still trying to make the sums add up, but at least it's giving me chance to practice my French! I also agree that it is unlikely that we will be able to rely solely on picture framing, which is why I have a few other cards up my sleeve

As we are some way off of retirement (I'm 37 next month), we really do have to make sure that we can make a go of something. No cheeky bankers' bonuses here either!

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend.

Sam

ps. No, I haven't got a Kindle yet, perhaps the Easter Bunny can bring me one!!