George Clooney: Life’s better for my kids in Provence than LA

Residents of a town in southern France have spoken of their pride after Hollywood actor George Clooney described life in their quiet corner of Provence as better for his children than the bustle and celebrity culture of Los Angeles.

The Oscar-winning actor, 64, who lives with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander at their estate near Brignoles, Var, told Esquire magazine that raising his children in France offered them “a much better life.”

“We live on a farm in France,” Clooney said. “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated it.”

“But now, for [the twins], it’s like – they’re not on their iPads, they have dinner with grownups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. France – they kind of don’t [care] about fame.”

The actor, who has also spoken about wanting to teach his children self-sufficiency, said life in France allows them to learn “how to survive” and watch him repair everything from a swimming pool cover to the family coffee machine.

For locals in Brignoles, Clooney’s affection for the town and surrounding countryside comes as no surprise.

Town full of ‘Provençal charm’

Vincent Pryckodko, 25, who runs a phone repair shop in the town, said he was delighted to hear the star praise his adopted home, where he moved to from Antibes. 

“It’s a dynamic place with Provençal charm. Less hectic than the coast but close to the beaches and the mountains,” he said. “It’s great to know someone like Clooney appreciates the same things we do. I respect him both as a private person and as an actor.”

Tristan Auffray, co-owner of Maxxi Beignet, is no stranger to celebrities as he has been selling sweet treats and cold drinks to holidaymakers in Brignoles for nearly 20 years. 

He said Clooney’s comments were “a real compliment to the town.”

“It’s interesting that he mentioned his children having a better life here than in LA because Brignoles does a lot to support youth education,” he said. “There are creative workshops, sports, and mentoring schemes – young people here get real opportunities.”

Indeed, Brignoles has invested heavily in facilities for children and teenagers. 

Local youth centres such as L’Endroit Jeunes run activities for those aged 12 to 25, while the Entraide Scolaire Amicale offers free tutoring. The Programme de Réussite Éducative helps families facing social or educational challenges.

‘People leave him alone’

British resident Elaine Arnold, who has lived in the area for four years, said she once bumped into George and Amal Clooney at the nearby Cotignac market. 

“I was with my dog, a Tibetan Mastiff and stopped to stroke his dog, ‘Nelson’, a St. Bernard puppy,” she said. 

“I’m not surprised he loves it here – it’s stunning countryside, lots of fresh air, and he doesn’t need bodyguards. People leave him alone.”

The Clooneys bought their estate, Domaine du Canadel, near Brignoles in 2021 and have kept a low profile, though they have made several appearances at local events. 

In November 2024, Clooney attended the inauguration of the new Cinéma Liberté, where he chatted to residents about the US elections. The couple also donated €20,000 to help flood victims in nearby Le Val in early 2025.

Didier Brémond, mayor of Brignoles, has publicly welcomed the family to the community, describing them as “gracious and respectful neighbours.”

Brignoles itself, home to around 18,000 people, is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forested hills. The Sainte-Baume massif lies nearby for hiking and nature walks, while beaches such as Hyères and Lavandou are just over an hour’s drive away.

For Clooney, it seems Provence has delivered everything he hoped for – a grounded, private life where his children can grow up surrounded by nature, not celebrity. “France doesn’t care about fame,” he said. “And that’s exactly what I wanted for them.”