Your Experience Is Your Strength: How Céline Flores Built a Life & Business in Paris

What does it really take to move to Paris, start a business, and thrive as an American abroad? In this episode of Passport to Wealth™, host Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA sits down with Céline Flores-Tavukcuoglu, founder and CEO of Céline Concierge, a bespoke luxury concierge service based in the heart of Paris.

Originally from Texas, Céline arrived in France in 2013 with a one-way ticket, a background in film production, and a deep desire to build a life in the City of Light. Today, she runs a thriving company supporting international clients with everything from curated travel experiences to full-service relocation.

Starting Over in Paris: From Film to Freelance to Founder

Like many Americans abroad, Céline’s journey began with a dream and a steep learning curve. She arrived in Paris with no job lined up and no clear roadmap, but a lot of determination. Early years were filled with language classes, student and freelance visas, and juggling multiple side jobs—from bartending and nannying to working in film.

“I was a solopreneur when I started. And now we’re a team of nine with an office in the 7th arrondissement.”

Céline turned her lived experience into her biggest asset. What began as creating custom Paris itineraries for friends eventually became Céline Concierge, a luxury lifestyle and relocation service that now helps others navigate the very process she mastered firsthand.

What Is a Luxury Concierge Service in Paris?

Céline Concierge serves both short-term travelers and long-term residents in Paris. The company’s two core offerings are:

• Custom travel experiences: Personalized, high-touch Paris itineraries for international visitors
  
• Relocation and property management: Support for expats moving to France, including logistics, home setup, and managing pieds-à-terre
  

Whether clients need a private chef, a school enrollment guide, or help registering utilities, Céline’s team ensures the transition to Parisian life is seamless and elevated.

How to Move to France as an American: Visa Tips & Common Pitfalls

One of the most valuable parts of Céline’s insight is her real-world experience navigating French bureaucracy. While she doesn’t offer immigration consulting directly, her clients often come to her after securing their visa and she’s seen firsthand which paths tend to work best.

She highlights two popular visa routes:

• The freelance visa (auto-entrepreneur), ideal for self-employed professionals
  
• The student visa, often used as a launchpad for younger expats
  

But she cautions: “There’s no one-size-fits-all visa, and the laws are constantly changing. Work with a specialist.”

She also stresses the importance of a “discovery visit”, which means coming to France for 4–6 weeks to live like a local before committing to a permanent move.

“We’ve seen people relocate with everything, including their pets, only to realize two weeks later Paris wasn’t the right fit.”

The Realities of Cross-Border Finances and U.S. Taxes Abroad

As a U.S. citizen living in France, Céline has learned the hard way how important it is to plan for tax compliance on both sides of the Atlantic.

From navigating GILTI tax (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) to realizing the impact of being a majority shareholder in a French business, she urges future expats to get financial advice early.

“When I started my business, I didn’t understand the U.S. tax implications. Now, I’m backtracking and adjusting how I run things. Talk to a CPA or financial planner before launching abroad.”

From Expat to French Citizen

In 2021, Céline officially became a French citizen—a milestone that marked the end of her visa anxiety and the beginning of a deeper connection to her adopted home. Now married with a child, she lives, works, and raises a family entirely in French.

“I caught myself speaking to my son in French. It’s just second nature now.”

Advice for Americans Dreaming of Paris

If you’re considering a move to France or thinking about starting a business in Paris, Céline offers this advice:

• Do a trial stay: Live like a local before relocating for good.
  
• Understand the bureaucracy: Expect paperwork, timelines, and cultural differences.
  
• Build your team: Work with experts in immigration, finance, and real estate.
  
• Start small and stay flexible: Growth is gradual, and success takes time.
  

“If you’re not prepared, even the dream of Paris can quickly become overwhelming. But with the right support, it’s 100% possible.”

Connect with Our Guest

Céline Flores-Tavukcuoglu is the founder and CEO of Céline Concierge, a luxury lifestyle and relocation service based in Paris. Originally from Texas, she brings a unique blend of Southern hospitality, creative vision, and lived expat experience to her work helping others build beautiful, sustainable lives in France.

Learn more at celineconcierge.com and subscribe to her newsletter for more valuable information on relocating to Paris. 

More About Our Author

Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, is the founder of Connected Financial Planning and the host of Passport to Wealth™. As a Certified Financial Planner™ and Enrolled Agent, Arielle specializes in helping U.S. expats simplify their finances while building intentional, global lives.

With firsthand experience navigating cross-border living, tax complexity, and international relocation, Arielle provides thoughtful, personalized guidance for individuals and families living abroad. Whether you're planning a move, managing multi-country income, or just trying to make sense of your financial future—she’s here to help you do it with clarity and confidence.

To book a 1:1 Expat Expert Coaching Call with Arielle, click here.