How long is the France Visiteur visa valid, and can I renew it?

The long-stay Visiteur visa initially acts as a residence permit (VLS-TS) valid for up to one year. To keep living in France beyond that, you apply for renewal at the prefecture and must again show sufficient resources, health insurance, and accommodation.

Apply well before your card expires (the official advice is to start the renewal in the months leading up to expiry) so you are not left without valid status. Renewals are not automatic; the prefecture re-checks that you still meet the conditions, including that you are not working in breach of the Visiteur restrictions.