“They’re very good at privacy here”: Natalie Portman shares why she prefers Paris over Los Angeles 

In a recent interview with People in May 2025, Natalie Portman opened up about her life in Paris with her children. She summed up why she prefers Paris over Los Angeles:

“They’re very good at privacy here,” she said plainly.

As both a busy actress and a mother of two, she finds that Parisians respect personal space in a way she did not always experience in the U.S. This sense of discretion gives her a feeling of normalcy when she walks the streets or runs errands.

Portman pointed out that people in Paris can be warm without being intrusive.

“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 told the outlet.

She laughed as she recalled realizing how odd it felt, after moving back to Los Angeles, to enter a store without greeting each person inside. This small change in manners, she noted, has made her daily life feel more connected.

One of the highest compliments in Paris, Natalie Portman explained, is to be called “elle est très discrète”.

She said, “I feel like the biggest compliment is ‘elle est très discrète’ [‘she is very discreet’],”

Because it shows that people notice her but do not bother her. In her experience, this subtle praise underscores a cultural preference for minding one’s own business. Natalie Portman feels that blending into daily life, rather than standing out, brings peace of mind.

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Simple greetings make everyday tasks nicer

Natalie Portman described how basic courtesies are woven into Parisian routines. She noted that saying “Bonjour” to shopkeepers and neighbors helps build a sense of community.

“Now, when I go back to the U.S., I’m like, ‘Oh, I would go into a store and not say hello to everyone there? It’s weird,” she said, reflecting on the change.

These small greetings, she believes, make errands feel less like chores and more like friendly exchanges.

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Cultural life in Paris keeps her curious

Despite sometimes “cold and gray” weather, Portman finds Paris’s cultural offerings constantly engaging.

“There’s always some incredible exhibit or concert or dinner party or writers in town something fascinating and stimulating happening,” she explained.

Frequent trips to museums, theaters, and literary salons help her and her family stay intellectually active. She added that these shared experiences inspire her work and enrich her children’s education.

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Natalie Portman's thoughts on her children's lives in Paris

With her son Aleph (13) and daughter Amalia (8), Natalie Portman appreciates the polite social customs she observes while living in Paris.

“All the kids that come to my house are, like, ‘Bonjour Madame,’ and give me the bise [cheek-to-cheek kiss],” she shared.

She also noted that young guests often return to say “Thank you for having me” before leaving. For Natalie Portman, these rituals reinforce a sense of respect and thoughtfulness among children.

Natalie Portman finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in February 2024, and she has made co-parenting her top priority. A source close to the former couple said,

“Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children”.

Both parents aim to provide stability and maintain a loving environment for Aleph and Amalia. Natalie credits the supportive network she’s found in Paris with helping her balance work and family life.

Natalie Portman first moved to Paris in 2014 when Millepied became director of dance at the Paris Opera Ballet. The family returned to Los Angeles after Millepied resigned in 2016, but Portman’s connection to Paris endured.

Following their separation in 2023, she chose to live primarily in Paris to be close to her children’s school and friends. She even considered applying for French citizenship to deepen her ties to her adopted home.

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She reflects on cultural differences beyond privacy

Natalie Portman emphasized that assumptions about Western cultures can be misleading.

“I think we have an assumption that Western cultures are all the same, and kind of evened out by all this pop culture that everyone consumes. It’s not true: it’s extremely specific here, and the culture is very different in both deep and surface ways,” Natalie told the magazine.

This insight, she said, reminds her to stay open-minded and curious.

By sharing her experiences with privacy, manners, and cultural life, Natalie Portman offers a clear, straightforward explanation for why she finds Paris a more comfortable home than Los Angeles. As of May 2025, she continues to split her time thoughtfully, guided by her priorities of family, respect, and a life lived with both discretion and connection.

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