From Air Crew to Cake Maker: Reinvention Never Stops When Building a Life in France - Suzanne Shields

Women, Work & Relocation on the French Riviera: Suzanne’s story is a powerful illustration that building a life abroad rarely follows a straight line.

In this episode, Cecile Liconnet sits down with Suzanne Shields, who first arrived in the South of France in 2000 after a career as a British Airways stewardess. What followed were multiple relocations and a series of professional reinventions, from villa management to running a creative ceramic café in Biot, and eventually creating her own bespoke cake business, Les Gâteaux Sucrés.

Together, they explore what it really takes to make relocation work long term: resilience, adaptability, strong work ethics, and the willingness to learn the language and adjust to local culture. Suzanne shares honest insights into working in France as a foreigner, navigating administration, adapting to the French palate, dealing with seasonality, and why effort and integration matter when settling into a local community.

This episode also touches on the realities of entrepreneurship in France, the importance of evolving your offer, and how community, word of mouth, and consistency quietly build a sustainable business over time.

A grounded, inspiring conversation about relocation, work, and finding your place in France without shortcuts.

Living the Dream: French Riviera Podcast Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.

https://livingthedreampodcast.com