Nice, France, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Dawn Belisle, a 56-year-old attorney, relocated from Atlanta to Nice, France, to pursue her passion for baking and lifestyle content. After three decades in law, she founded ‘Delights by Dawn,’ specializing in alcohol-infused cakes. Her culinary journey was sparked by a memorable trip to Paris and influenced by popular culture. Belisle enjoys a fulfilling life in Nice, navigating challenges, building community, and embracing personal fulfillment over professional obligations.
Nice, France – Dawn Belisle, a 56-year-old attorney, relocated from Atlanta to Nice, France, in 2022 to pursue a new career in baking and lifestyle content creation. After three decades in law, including 25 years as a prosecutor and five as a defense attorney, Belisle followed her passion for baking, founding her business, Delights by Dawn, which specializes in alcohol-infused cakes and cupcakes.
Belisle’s journey toward a culinary career began with a love for baking and entertaining, which she had enjoyed monetarily among friends even before her professional legal career. Her passion for French desserts intensified after a culinary trip to Paris for her 50th birthday in 2019, where she engaged in a baking workshop. This trip deepened her affection for France, leading to a profound sense of calm compared to the fast-paced American lifestyle.
In 2021, the popular series “Emily in Paris” aired on Netflix, which encouraged her to consider a serious relocation to France. Following extensive research, she enrolled in a pastry school and took a six-month leave from her law career to study and travel throughout Europe. These experiences solidified her determination to live abroad, and within a year of returning to Atlanta, Belisle had efficiently settled back into France.
Relocation Experience
Belisle found her transition to Nice to be almost effortless, successfully navigating the bureaucratic processes to obtain her required documents and secure an apartment. She currently resides in the Carré d’Or neighborhood of Nice, an area known for its prime real estate. Within two months of her arrival, she secured a one-bedroom apartment featuring American-style renovations, ample closet space, and a sea view just a short walk from the beach.
Quality of Life in France
Living in Nice, Belisle enjoys a high quality of life, with easy access to affordable markets and a strong sense of safety and health within the healthcare system. She finds the healthcare in France to be exceptional, alleviating any concerns regarding potential medical costs. Traveling around France and to neighboring countries has also proven to be convenient and economical, with recent trips such as her spontaneous visit to Belgrade, Serbia.
Despite appreciating the lifestyle, Belisle notes that France does have certain inefficiencies compared to the U.S., particularly regarding technology and bureaucracy. The level of diversity within the community has pleasantly surprised her; she observed a significant presence of Black expats, including Black American women, although the population is relatively smaller than in the U.S.
Building a Community
To cultivate a social network in her new environment, Belisle emphasizes the importance of joining Facebook groups and engaging with local communities. Over her three years in France, she has developed friendships with both locals and other expats, contributing to a feeling of family and connectedness in her newfound home.
Evolution of Career
While she continues to bake, Delights by Dawn has transformed into a lifestyle brand that focuses on style and travel content for social media, in addition to mentoring aspiring expatriates. Belisle remains active within the legal field by offering consultation services and training young attorneys in various government agencies and law firms.
Reflections on Life Abroad
Belisle expresses relief in living outside the U.S., especially in light of current events that have caused her significant stress. Although she misses her son and granddaughters, she has no plans to return permanently to the United States, valuing the tranquillity of her life in France. She emphasizes feeling more in control of her life in her new country, prioritizing personal fulfillment over professional obligations. This journey resonates with her past ambition declared in her 30s: a desire not to be confined to U.S. work life forever but to spend her retirement abroad.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Relocation Experience | Several administrative processes were seamless for Belisle during her move to France. |
| Community Building | Engagement with local and expat communities facilitated her integration into French culture. |
| Baking Career | Delights by Dawn evolved into a lifestyle brand focused on baking, travel, and mentorship. |
| Health & Safety | The French healthcare system and community environment contribute to her quality of life. |
FAQ
What prompted Dawn Belisle to relocate to France?
Belisle was influenced by her love for France, which grew after a culinary trip to Paris for her 50th birthday in 2019, and later reinforced by watching “Emily in Paris” in 2021.
What does Belisle’s business, Delights by Dawn, focus on?
Delights by Dawn specializes in alcohol-infused cakes and cupcakes and has evolved into a lifestyle brand focusing on style and travel content.
How has Belisle adapted to life in France?
She has built a diverse circle of friends and has found ways to engage with local communities and expat networks. Additionally, she has emphasized living for personal fulfillment rather than merely for work.
What are Belisle’s feelings towards living in the U.S. compared to France?
Belisle expresses relief at not living in the U.S., especially considering current events that have caused her significant stress. She appreciates the peace she experiences in France.
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Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Moving from Atlanta to Nice
- Wikipedia: Nice, France
- Time Out: Best Restaurants in Nice
- Food & Wine: Traditional French Food
- Edible Monterey Bay: New Aptos Bakery
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