In Vietnam, we met a person who cleaned trainers in the street with a few brushes and a bucket of water. They earned a living with a simple skill. In France, this kind of small trade is rarely seen. Here are ideas from Asia, and the rules to know before starting.
1. Small trades that support a family
- Cleaning and caring for shoes (trainers, leather): a few brushes, suitable products, a small stool.
- Repairs on the spot: keys, zips, small appliances, bicycles.
- Mending and altering clothes while the customer waits.
- Cooking and selling food in the street: the most common in Asia, but in France food has its own, stricter hygiene rules.
What they have in common: little equipment, little money to start, a service given at once, close to people.
2. What to know in France before working in the street
- A registered business. You must first be registered, for example as a micro-enterprise.
- An authorisation from the town hall to occupy the public space (parking permit, roadway permit or a place on a market). It is personal, for a limited time, and a fee set by the town is charged. Each town has its own rules.
- The itinerant trader card may be required depending on where you work: ask your business formalities centre.
- Without authorisation, it is forbidden: selling or offering a service in the street without authorisation can lead to a fine and the seizure of your equipment.
3. Where to find the equipment?
Brushes, cleaning products, small machines and tools are often made in Asia. On the Passerelle, a small French business can find a manufacturer verified in the official register of its country and ask for an introduction. Always compare, ask for a written quote and check the product rules (label, safety) before ordering.
For information only. These are ideas, not personal advice: they do not engage the liability of Passerelle France-Asie. Rules change and depend on your town: always check with your town hall and official websites before starting.
Sources (in French): economie.gouv.fr — occupying public space, economie.gouv.fr — selling in the street, entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr. Checked on 25 October 2026.