InVinoVeritas

Because of The Garage TV programme, I suspect. See Wikipedia for more (unable to paste link ).

Tweedpipe

I know the person you refer to and have spoken to him on one occasion. Yes he was doing reasonably well years ago, and probably still does. But all should be looked at in perspective. Unless I'm mistaken his father was associated with one of the aerospace industries, and he (the son) had a very good knowledge of French. Not surprisingy quite a number of his clients were English, but had he relied totally on those folks I'm certain he would have locked his toolbox up for good many years ago. Not ony did he have French clients (and no doubt needed them to remain soluble), but equally important, he was able to cope with the (often frightening) beaurocracy which comes with running your own business. Not to mention tax returns, et tout ca et tout.
My sincere advise for the OP with ideas for starting up a similar business without French, is simply - dont! Unless you enjoy near impossible challenges, and have very deep, financial resources that you don't mind dipping into. Frequently.
But heh, some people like to live dangerously, and there's nothing wrong with that - unless you have children in tow. So if you do 'bite the bullet', please keep us informed, and who knows perhaps prove us all so wrong.

Chatter Static

Possibly in one of the flooded areas "Expat Flooded" but imho your going to have some pretty lean times and business social charges are due wether you have business income or not. Running a business here is nothing like the UK Imho he'd be better off initially trying to find someone to work for and basing were they go on that.

dmu

.... yes, but a garage owner who plans to increase his workforce or is preparing for retirement, would choose a French candidate with French qualifications.... And does such a garage exist in the area south of Carcassonne anyway?
The "temporary base" will in fact limit their respective work possibilities, unless they run two cars (= extra to budget for).

Chatter Static

Round here a surprising number of employers will seek out English candidates because having a native English speaker in your workforce in an area that is swamped in expats can draw in a lot of business, it's surprising how many folk you meet who have been here 10 years that can't even muster basic French.

EuroTrash

Setting up a garage business in France if you've never worked for a French garage would be difficult I think. Not so much actually mending cars, but the admin side. For instance, my garage always gives me a full written estimation for any work that needs doing, he won't do anything without his bon pour accord. I assume this is the norm in France and would be expected by French clients. UK garages used to tell me what needed doing, and if pressed they would suggest a ballpark figure, but I never used to be given a full written estimate. Then, there's this issue that French garages normally refuse to fit parts that they haven't also supplied, which again UK garages don't usually fuss about, so I presume there is something different about either French law or French trade insurance that means they are held more responsible. If you come straight from the UK, how do even know what you need to find out that might be different?

So yes, work for a French garage if at all possible. I don't know if there are enough year-round expats in Carcassonne to make an English speaking mechanic valuable, or not. I once broke down near Carcassonne and neither the breakdown chap nor anybody at the garage they towed me to, spoke a word of English.

Touraine

The OP could try his luck with 'Speedy' which belongs to the same group as Kwik Fit.

Tweedpipe

And that reminds me......
A French blonde walks into a garage and asks for "Un sept cent dix svp."
The garage owner with a surprised expression, asks, "What's a sept cent dix?"
The blonde replied, "You know, that piece on top of the engine marked sept cent dix. I've lost it and need a new one!" She added that she didn't know what it was for, but it had always been there - and now it was gone.
A garage mechanic who had overheard the conversation, walked over, took out his note-pad & pencil, and said, " Can you do a sketch of what this part looks like?"
"Sure", she replied.
This is what she drew:-

Never argue with a French blond. They might just be right.

babyposer

You have a broad understanding of french mentality!

People expect you to stay in the same jobs for years and get experience in this field.

The OP is overqualified and as a HR manager or similar (sorry couldn't remember the title of your job), it will be really hard to get a job.

I know someone who passed her 'CAP Métiers de la blanchisserie' (NVQ level 1) which is basically a diploma which teaches you how to clean laundry. You learn stuff about bleach, stains, water temperature and so on, and even a bit of chemistry.

And yes they also have a diploma to become a cleaning lady, it is called 'CAP Agent de propreté et d'hygiène'. It is a 2 year diploma.

CAP Agent de propreté et d'hygiène - Onisep

Just found this on a French forum, it's a girl who is overqualified (has a Masters degree): "Pour ma part j'ai jamais obtenu aucun entretien de caissière ou ménage, mon cv était direct éliminé...Franchement, c'est déprimant de savoir qu'on a aucune chance d'être pris dans les boulot de notre niveau faute d'expérience, et dans les boulots en-dessous de notre niveau à cause de nos diplômes."

"je viens de voir un site de dogsitting qui exige un certificat de capacité animalier pour garder les chiens et les chats. Tout est comme ça, un monde hyper spécialisé, des gens hyper compétents, des justifications de tout, j'ai comme l'impression que la formation, c'est un marché... dépenser du fric pour passer des brevets de tout."

Just use Google translate and you'll see for yourself.

Basically she can't get cashier jobs because she's overqualified and can't get jobs in her field because she hasn't got enough experience.

Good luck anyway, whatever you choose to do.

babyposer

Sorry but not just because you're bad at languages, doesn't mean it's the same for everyone. My father could speak very good French after 5 years or so in France.