Buying and Selling a Business in France: Complete 2026 Guide
France's business transfer market sees over 45,000 transactions annually. This guide covers everything buyers and sellers need to know — from valuation and due diligence to BODACC publication, BPI France financing, and tax optimisation.
The French business transfer market in 2026 France is one of Europe's most active markets for business acquisitions, with over 45,000 business transfers annually. Two main transaction structures coexist: the fonds de commerce (asset sale of a commercial business) and the cession de titres (share deal transferring the company itself — SAS, SARL, or SA). With 60% of French business owners over 55, the next decade will see an unprecedented wave of successions — creating exceptional acquisition opportunities for informed buyers. Two acquisition structures: fonds de commerce vs share deal Fonds de …