Trailing Spouse in France: Rebuilding a Regulated Architect Career - Nita Sharma

2026-03-16

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Relocating abroad is challenging for anyone. But what happens when your profession is highly regulated and your qualifications don’t automatically transfer? When Nita moved as a trailing spouse from London to the French Riviera in 2006, she left behind a prestigious career working on major international architectural projects. What began as a temporary relocation quickly became a long-term life in France. With no French language skills and a young family, she had to rebuild her professional identity step by step. In this episode, Nita shares how she gradually r...

Relocating abroad is challenging for anyone. But what happens when your profession is highly regulated and your qualifications don’t automatically transfer?

When Nita moved as a trailing spouse from London to the French Riviera in 2006, she left behind a prestigious career working on major international architectural projects. What began as a temporary relocation quickly became a long-term life in France. With no French language skills and a young family, she had to rebuild her professional identity step by step.

In this episode, Nita shares how she gradually re-established herself as an architect in France. From freelancing under the umbrella of a local practice, to navigating the complexities of French planning regulations, to eventually registering with the Ordre des Architectes and launching her own practice.

We discuss the realities of transferring a regulated profession across borders, including:

• learning technical French
• understanding French planning laws and local mairie regulations
• working with French construction teams and builders
• adapting architectural methods to the Mediterranean climate
• building a client base through word of mouth and international networks

Nita also reflects on the personal side of relocation: learning a new language as an adult, raising children between cultures, and redefining success after leaving a high-pressure London career.

Today she runs her own architectural practice on the Côte d’Azur, working with international clients and designing renovations and homes that blend sustainability, local architecture and modern living.

A candid conversation about resilience, professional reinvention, and proving yourself again in a new country.

This is the full-length episode.
If you would like to listen to a condensed 28-minute version, it is available on Living the Dream – Radio Edition.

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

https://livingthedreampodcast.com

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