Can you work in France on a visitors visa?

A question I am sometimes asked is "the government have told me its ok to work remotely in France....so how do I manage the tax?"  My answer is - be careful as its not clear.

This topic came up in the French Parliament this week.  Net the position is still not really that clear unfortunately;

- there was a somewhat long and vague answer that if you are not working for a French company, not working for French people and are paid abroad then you are not working so it might be ok; however

- its not clear that the Tax Authorities take the same view at all; and

- this is not binding so the Departmental Visa authorities may take a very dim view of it.

Net, I will always send people off to talk to a visa specialist here.  There are things you can incidentally do here, where I will help on the UK tax, but walk with great care.