So just how socialist is France? You can't just start a business when and where you want? Are there no private companies?
"So just how socialist is France? You can't just start a business when and where you want? Are there no private companies?"
Define what you mean by "socialist", and I will answer.
One can always start businesses, assuming one has the means, and almost all companies are private. But as anywhere, to run a business you need space, which you have to buy or rent. You have to have the funds to pay the employees. You have to have some product or service that somebody wants to buy.