Living the Dream: French Riviera

Turning a Passion for Food into a Riviera Business: The Story Behind a Homemade Granola Brand - Ariana Shahbazi

Women, Work & Relocation on the French Riviera:When Ariana moved back to the French Riviera in 2020, she knew one thing for certain: she was ready to leave her corporate marketing career behind. What she didn’t know was what would come next.
In this inspiring episode, Ariana shares how an unexpected conversation at a local market pushed her to explore a completely different path; one that led from colourful hummus to the artisanal granola business she runs today.
As a French Canadian, Arianna arrived fluent in French but eager for a fresh start. After years in Dubai working in HR marketing and questioning whether office life truly suited her, she reached a point where she simply couldn’t return to the corporate world. Instead, she gave herself permission to explore her passions: food, wellness, creativity, and see where they might lead.
Her journey into entrepreneurship was anything but planned. It grew one small decision at a time: signing up for micro-entrepreneur training, trying her first market stall, navigating French hygiene regulations, and eventually discovering that her homemade granola, once “just a family favourite”, was the product people truly wanted.
Ariana’s story is about reinvention, cultural integration, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning to trust the process. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful chapters begin with a single conversation and a willingness to try.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a small food business in France, shift careers mid-life, or rediscover yourself in a new country, this episode will speak straight to your heart.Living the Dream: French Riviera Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.https://livingthedreampodcast.com

From Corporate Life to Pilates Studio: Finding Purpose and Clients in a New Country - Mel Morcom

Women, Work & Relocation on the French Riviera: What does it really take to rebuild your career (and your life) on the French Riviera?
In this episode of Living the Dream: French Riviera, Cecile speaks with Mel, who first arrived in the South of France as a young newlywed with a corporate career in London. Years later, life took an unexpected turn, bringing her back to the Riviera as a single mother ready to start again.
Mel shares how she went from organising events at Goldman Sachs to opening her own Pilates studio in Valbonne. We dive into the realities behind the glossy postcard image, from language barriers and re-qualifying in France, to building a business from scratch and managing moments when no clients showed up.
Her story explores resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose after a major life shift. It’s also a candid look at the administrative challenges, cultural adjustments, and financial decisions involved in building a sustainable career far from home.
If you’re dreaming of relocating, navigating a transition, or curious about building a meaningful professional life on the French Riviera, Mel’s journey offers both inspiration and honesty.Living the Dream: French Riviera Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.https://livingthedreampodcast.com

Creating a Language School from Scratch: Women, Work and Relocation on the French Riviera - Catherine Aygen

What does it really take to build a sustainable career in France as a foreigner?In this episode of Living the Dream: French Riviera, the podcast discussing women, work & relocation on the French Riviera, Cecile Liconnet sits down with Catherine Aygen, an English teacher who transformed her freelance work into a fully accredited training centre, now helping hundreds of professionals in France gain confidence in English.
Cat shares her remarkable professional evolution:• arriving in France with no job and navigating the shock of French administration• piecing together freelance work in Paris’ top universities• relocating to the Riviera only to discover a very different job market• deciding to launch her own training company and later a full Qualiopi certified training centre• mastering the complexities of France’s adult-training ecosystem, including the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF)• strategically using lockdown and an office location to scale her business
Her story is a masterclass in career reinvention, entrepreneurship, and cultural integration.If you're dreaming of moving to France, or already here and seeking a sustainable professional path, Cat’s journey offers rare, expert insight into the real steps required to build a business and thrive.Living the Dream: French Riviera Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.https://livingthedreampodcast.com

A Jazz Journey from London to the French Riviera: Reinventing a Music Career in the South of France - Lizzy Parks

In this episode of Living the Dream: French Riviera, a podcast discussing women, work & relocation on the French Riviera, we meet Lizzy Parks, a jazz musician who reinvented her professional life after relocating from London to Cannes.
Lizzy first arrived on the Riviera for a music conference, and within hours, she felt something shift. The sunshine, the atmosphere, the creative energy. It all sparked a life-changing realisation. Within three months, she had moved to France, started learning the language from scratch, and begun building a new life, both personally and professionally.
In this candid conversation, Lizzy shares how she went from feeling isolated and unable to express herself in French to becoming a well known figure in the region’s vibrant events world. She explains how she rebuilt a music career in a new country and a new language, the booming Riviera events scene and how she carved her niche, the power of community, visibility and confidence when starting again abroad, the cultural challenges that surprised her the most.
Lizzy’s story is warm, honest and full of practical wisdom. A testament to creativity, resilience and the courage to leap into the unknown.Living the Dream: French Riviera Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.https://livingthedreampodcast.com

Buying Property in France: What Every Foreigner Needs to Know - Jo Franceschini

In this first episode of Living the Dream: French Riviera, Cecile welcomes Jo, a real estate agent who has spent nearly two decades guiding international families through the complexities of buying property in France.
Jo shares what most newcomers never expect: the impact of French inheritance law, why buying under the wrong status can create long-term complications, and what actually happens from the first viewing to signing with a notaire. She also shares the unexpected challenges of settling into local life, from making friends to realising that the Mediterranean isn’t made for surfing.
Whether you’re dreaming of a house with a terrace, planning a move for work in Sophia Antipolis, or simply trying to understand how French property really works, Jo’s practical advice and personal experience offer a rare, honest guide to starting again in the South of France.Living the Dream: French Riviera Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France.https://livingthedreampodcast.com