Natalie Portman is making headlines after opening up about her life in Paris and the cultural shift she experienced after relocating. In a recent interview, she reflected on how the move has shaped her daily habits, parenting style, and appreciation for French customs.
Here’s what Portman revealed about raising her kids abroad, adjusting to local norms, and why Paris feels like home.
Natalie Portman explains why Paris is better than LA
Natalie Portman shared her experience of living in Paris with her children, Aleph and Amalia.
In a cover interview with Net-a-Porter, the actress said, “I find the people here are actually incredibly friendly – you just have to know how to interact, so that we’re not the ones being rude.” She explained that after adjusting to French customs, returning to the U.S. feels unfamiliar, saying, “I would go into a store and not say hello to everyone there? It’s weird.”
She emphasized the cultural differences between the U.S. and France, stating, “We have an assumption that Western cultures are all the same… It’s not true: it’s extremely specific here; and the culture is very different in both deep and surface ways.” Portman also praised the level of privacy she experiences in Paris, adding, “They’re very good at privacy here. I feel like the biggest compliment is ‘elle est très discrète’ [‘she is very discreet’].”
The actress highlighted how French customs have shaped her children’s behavior. “All the kids that come to my house are, like, ‘Bonjour Madame,’ and give me the bise… and if I’m not nearby, they’ll come and find me to say [thank you],” she said. Portman, who shares parenting duties with ex-husband Benjamin Millepied, expressed appreciation for raising her children with these values.
She also enjoys the cultural offerings of Paris, mentioning, “There’s always some incredible exhibit or concert or dinner party or writers in town — something fascinating and stimulating happening. And the frequent vacations are so clutch!” Portman filed for divorce in July 2023, and it was finalized in February 2024.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net.
