In Episode 86 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison Grant Lounes sits down with Judith Benamran, who initially moved to France as a student and now has a successful career as a buyer’s agent in Paris. Listen as Judith discusses her transition through various careers over the years, the complexities of the French real estate market, and what makes life in Paris so rewarding. Follow Judith : Instagram: @judithlisa.benamran LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judith-l-benamran-0ab82ab

In Episode 85 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison sits down with The Rev. Michelle Wahila,  who moved with her family to France in 2012, where she now officiates English language spiritual services and ceremonies. Listen as Michelle shares how she created new traditions, built a sense of community, and learned to embrace the evolving nature of spirituality in her work with American couples getting married. Follow Michelle : Website: https://ruffledbygrace.com/ Instagram:: @ruffled...

In Episode 84 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison chats with Billy Potocnik, who moved with his wife Traci from Denver, Colorado to Nice, France in 2022. Listen as Billy retraces their journey from a canceled opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the creation of a successful yoga retreat business in the Côte d’Azur. Follow Billy : Website: https://www.billy.yoga/ YouTube: @billyyoga8846 Instagram:: @billyyogaworldwide Facebook: Billy YOGA

In Episode 83 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison Grant Lounes sits down with Doris Speer, the president of AARO - the Association of American Resident Overseas. Topics of conversation include the differences between American and French work culture, the challenges of living far from family and friends, and Doris’ continued advocacy for the rights of Americans living abroad. Learn more about AARO here: https://aaro.org/

In Episode 82 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison is joined by writer and marketing consultant Claire Naughton. Claire moved to Paris as an au pair in 2018, before joining her French boyfriend (now husband) in Strasbourg and starting her own business. Listen as Claire shares her experiences of cross-cultural dating, making friends through new hobbies, and how life in France has supported her quest for balance between personal happiness and professional growth. Follow Claire : Website: h...

In Episode 81 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison is joined by Janeen Sonsie, breakthrough coach and admin for the Facebook group Expat Women in France. Listen as Janeen shares how she finally pursued her dream of moving to France in 2018, and the steps she took to establish herself both professionally and personally in her new home. Get in touch with Janeen https://janeensonsie.com https://getrealcommunication.com The Expat Women in France Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/group...

In Episode 80 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison is joined by Traci Tooman, who relocated to France with her husband Billy and their teenaged son in 2022. Listen as Traci shares the highs and lows of moving abroad - from navigating the school system and understanding French bureaucracy, to turning her passion for the culinary arts into a dream job working at Julia Child's former villa.Learn more about Billy's yoga retreats at billy.yoga/retreats and on Instagram @sudandseaFind Traci and ...

In Episode 79 of Profiles in Franceformation, host Allison Grant Lounes sits down with Rick Jones, president of WICE (Where Internationals Connect in English).Rick shares the story behind his decades-long love of France and his decision to move to Paris permanently in 2018. The conversation also touches on the value of networking, cultivating luck, and creating meaningful connections as key to a successful transition. Learn more about WICE at wice-paris.org

In Episode 78 of Profiles in Franceformation, host Allison Grant Lounes is joined by Janice Deerwester, whose journey of a post-retirement solo relocation led her to Fontainebleau and a fulfilling new chapter as a content creator. During the conversation, Janice offers practical advice for moving abroad, discusses the nuances of settling into a new culture, and touches on the everyday joys of French life. Follow Janice:janiceinfrance.comInstagram: @janiceinfrance YouTube: @Jani...

In episode 77 of Profiles in Franceformation, host Allison Grant Lounes chats with real estate agent Andrew Guck, who relocated to France in 2011. Andrew recounts his unique story of a long-distance love that ultimately led to a fulfilling life and career in the South of France. Along the way, he shares his experiences in language learning, his culinary and cultural adventures, and his advice on making a home in a new country. Follow Andrew:andrewguck.comYouTube: @AndrewGuckLeggett...

In episode 76 of Profiles in Franceformation, host Allison Grant Lounes interviews travel consultant and photographer Tadji Kretschmer, who relocated to Paris in 2021. Tadji shares how the 2020 pandemic led her to create an Instagram account, "Inseinely Paris", and to follow her dream of moving to Paris. She also discusses the importance of embracing the local lifestyle and establishing a community, and the challenges she experienced with French bureaucracy.Follow Tadjiwww.travelswithtad...

In this first episode of the 2024-2025 season of Profiles in Franceformation, host Allison Grant Lounes shares practical advice for planning a successful move to France in 2025. Join Allison as she talks through the finer details of some of the more popular visa types, including the various work visas available for self-employed and salaried professionals. The episode also touches on some of the recent changes in French immigration policies and common hurdles in the relocation process.&n...

In episode 74 of Profiles in Franceformation, my guest is Sophie Hargreaves, owner of La Petite Ferme d'Alpaga - a small alpaca farm in Sanzay, located in the Deux Sèvres in the western French countryside. Sophie, along with her husband Will, moved to France to start their alpaca farm in the period between COVID and Brexit. They are now the proud parents of a small herd of alpacas and, more recently, one human child.La Petite Ferme d'Alpaga welcomes guests and parties, has an on-site gîte, of...

In episode 73 of Profiles in Franceformation my guest is Lacey Bertrand-Reilly, the new Franceformation Team Member. In this episode, we discuss how Lacey ended up living in France, and why they have opted for Countryside living over the Big City Lifestyle. You will also hear:💜 Why a courtesy robe or scarf is a top tip for people using the healthcare system💜 What career advice and tips Lacey would give to those embarking on work in France💜The challenges applying for French Nationali...

In episode 72 of Profiles in Franceformation my guest is Michael Yuille, a British financial advisor living in the south of France near Toulouse. After deciding to move to France with his family, Michael became aware of the many challenges people face when trying to do retirement and financial planning while living abroad. British and American clients, and clients of other nationalities, struggle to understand the financial and tax implications of their move, and strict regulations...

In Episode 71 of Profiles in Franceformation. Allison is joined by Jacqueline Menoret and Maria Laura Ribadeneira. Jacqueline studied abroad in Montpellier and then at the London School of Economics before marrying her French husband and working in higher education in Paris.She founded the Immigrant Book Club in 2020, where she was soon joined as a co-host by Maria Laura, who is originally from Quito, Ecuador, and who studied at Vassar College. Together, they have recently launched Versions O...

Welcome to Episode 70 of Profiles in Franceformation. I'm your host, Allison Grant Louness, and this week our guest is John Frederick. John worked in government and lived many lives in the U. S. before coming to France as a visitor to follow his dream of living in Paris. Since arriving, he's written multiple books, including Prosperity Now and Paris Histories and Mysteries.After living in Paris for several years, John began working with us so he could work as a life coach in Paris, and the ep...

Welcome to episode 69 of Profiles in Franceformation. I'm your host, Allison Grant Lounes, and this week my guest is Lounes, and this week my guest is Joanna of Happy Hugs. Joanna is originally from Romania, and she moved to the UK, where she trained as a doula, and then to France with her French husband. She now helps pregnant women navigate the French healthcare system during pregnancy, hosts birth preparation classes for first time moms, and has multiple free resources for English speaking...

Welcome to episode 68 of Profiles in Franceformation. I'm your host, Allison Grant Lounes, and this week my guest is Fabricio Carminati, a real estate agent and creator of French Riviera House Hunting. His goal is to help English-speaking property hunters find the right property and navigate the process of buying their new home in France with ease.Fabricio talks about:How he started helping Americans find their dream homes in FranceHow the buying process worksWhat there is to offer in the Fre...

Welcome to Episode 67 of Profiles in Franceformation. I’m your host Allison Grant Lounes, and this week, I’m back with Lisa Vanden Bos, who has been a pillar of the American community in France, since she arrived three decades ago.Lisa launched FUSAC in the 90's, a print magazine that was the go-to resource for English speakers in Paris to help them find jobs, housing, and much more. Lisa has also recently launched Bill and Rosa's Book Room, a used English bookshop at Poitou Sacou. Liste...