George and Amal Clooney are officially saying au revoir to Hollywood. The A-list couple has quietly traded the spotlight for serenity, becoming French citizens—along with their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander—in a move that signals a major shift toward privacy and family life.
The naturalization was confirmed in France’s official government gazette on December 27 and later reported by France24, listing George, Amal (under her maiden name, Alamuddin), and their children. It’s a striking departure for the Clooneys, who have long been fixtures of Hollywood glamour but are now choosing a life with far fewer flashing cameras.
Clooney has been open about his discomfort with the relentless paparazzi culture in Los Angeles, especially as a father. “Here, they don’t photograph kids. There’s no paparazzi lurking at school gates. That’s our top priority,” the 64-year-old actor explained to RTL Radio earlier this month. France’s strict privacy laws—which make photographing minors without consent illegal—were reportedly the deciding factor in the family’s relocation.
Amal, fluent in French and already well-known across Europe for her human rights work, has adapted seamlessly. Clooney, on the other hand, admits he’s still catching up linguistically, joking that even after “400 days of lessons,” his multilingual children often tease him at the dinner table.
The Clooneys’ main home is now a sprawling 18th-century estate in Provence, purchased for about $8.3 million. Clooney describes it as “where we’re happiest”—a quiet countryside life that’s a far cry from red carpets and paparazzi chases. “We live on a farm in France. The kids aren’t glued to iPads. They eat with adults and help clear the table,” he told Esquire.
This European chapter is the latest in Clooney’s long love affair with the continent. From his iconic Lake Como villa to Amal’s London law firm roots, the couple has long gravitated toward Europe’s slower pace and tighter privacy protections.
And they’re not alone. Director Jim Jarmusch and author Ken Follett have both recently sought French citizenship, joining a small but growing list of public figures seeking refuge from the U.S. spotlight.
For George and Amal Clooney, France isn’t just a getaway—it’s a statement. After decades of global fame, they’re choosing a quieter life where their children can grow up outside the Hollywood bubble.
