George Clooney's French Farm Life: Giving His Twins a "Fair Shake"

George Clooney, alongside his wife Amal, has swapped the glitz of Hollywood for a sprawling farm in France, revealing a heartfelt desire to give their kids a more grounded, iPad-free upbringing.

TL;DR: The Key Takeaways on Clooney's Big Move

• George and Amal Clooney moved their 8-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, to a 425-acre farm in France to escape Hollywood's intense spotlight.
• Clooney wanted his children to have a "fair shake at life," free from paparazzi and comparisons to other famous kids, embracing a hands-on, screen-free upbringing.
• The move aligns with Clooney's desire to "wind down" his career and focus on family, a sentiment shared by other celebrities seeking more privacy for their children.

Trading Red Carpets for Olive Trees: Why George Clooney Left Hollywood Behind

For decades, George Clooney was the epitome of Hollywood cool—charming, successful, and always in demand. But after welcoming his twins, Ella and Alexander, in 2017 with his brilliant human rights lawyer wife, Amal, the two-time Oscar winner made a significant pivot. He didn't just step back from Hollywood; he relocated his entire family to a sprawling farm in France, a decision driven by a profound desire to give his children what he calls "a fair shake at life."

In recent interviews, Clooney, 64, has been refreshingly candid about why he felt Los Angeles wasn't the right place for his kids to grow up. It wasn't about the scenery; it was about sanity and escaping the relentless "culture of Hollywood."

The Deep Concerns About Raising Children in the Spotlight

Clooney openly shared his worries about the pressures and intrusions that come with being a celebrity child in Tinseltown. "I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood," he told Esquire. "I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life."

The core of his concern boils down to privacy and identity. He wants Ella and Alexander to forge their own paths, away from constant scrutiny and unfair comparisons. "France—they kind of don't give a s about fame," he explained. "I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don't want them being compared to somebody else's famous kids." This commitment to privacy is so strong that Amal, 47, even implements a "phone basket" rule for house guests to ensure genuine, undisturbed family moments.

"I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don't want them being compared to somebody else's famous kids."

— George Clooney, on raising his twins in France

Life on the Farm: Chores, Tractors, and Screen-Free Adventures

Forget iPads and endless screen time. Life on the Clooneys' 425-acre Provence wine estate, Domaine Le Canadel, sounds like a step back to simpler times. The farm, boasting vineyards and around 1200 olive trees, offers a hands-on, analog childhood that George himself experienced growing up.

"They're not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life," Clooney proudly stated. He's even embraced the "carpool dad" role, driving a van full of kids singing Hamilton tunes. He also drives a tractor around the property with his kids, passing on a work ethic he values deeply.

He recalls a recent instance where a fence needed oiling and, rather than calling for help, he and his 8-year-old twins grabbed brushes and tackled the job themselves. "At first they're taking these little, tiny brushstrokes, boop, boop, boop," he recounted. "And I go, Nooo, paint the goddamn fence. And then they go crazy painting the fence and they're covered with paint and oil and stuff." The goal? "They got the job done, that was the point."

This hands-on approach is a nod to Clooney's own roots. He once cut tobacco for $3 an hour and sold insurance door-to-door, sleeping on a closet floor between auditions. That DIY spirit clearly never left him, and he’s determined to pass it on, fixing things around the house and keeping his family grounded in "real life."

A Shift in Career Focus and a "Winding Down" Philosophy

The move to France also seems to coincide with a personal and professional shift for Clooney. He feels he's "had [his] career in many ways" and is no longer in a "mass rush to succeed." At 64, he's prioritizing family time, enjoying being present for his children while he's "still young enough that I can run around with them."

While winding down from the relentless pace of earlier years, Clooney is still very much active in film. His latest project, Jay Kelly, recently premiered at the New York Film Festival and was also screened at the Venice Film Festival. The film, which explores themes of aging in Hollywood, is set for a limited theatrical release in November before heading to Netflix in December.

Not Alone: Other Celebrities Seeking Sanctuary Away from Los Angeles

The Clooneys aren't the only famous family to trade the bright lights of LA for a more private existence. This trend reflects a growing desire among celebrities to shield their children from the unique pressures of fame. Here's who else has made a similar move:

• Josh Duhamel: Built a home in northern Minnesota, telling People magazine he sought a "back to the basics" lifestyle.
• Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky: Left Los Angeles for the coastal town of Byron Bay, Australia, to connect with nature and escape industry chaos.
• James Van Der Beek: Relocated his wife and six kids from California to Texas, aiming to give them "space" and allow them to "live in nature."
• Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake: Moved primarily to Tennessee and Montana after 2018 to protect their kids from paparazzi.
• Lindsay Lohan: Has found more peace and privacy raising her child in Dubai, having moved there in 2014 to step away from the Hollywood spotlight.

These decisions highlight a fascinating paradox in the modern "fame economy" – even as visibility becomes currency, true luxury might just be the ability to disappear.

The Indifference of Children and the Value of Perspective

One of the most charming aspects of the Clooney twins' upbringing is their apparent indifference to their father's celebrity status. George jokes that even when Hollywood royalty like Robert De Niro visits, Ella and Alexander are likely to ask, "Who's that?"

This deliberate shielding from the "fame economy" is, for Clooney, about protecting more than just privacy; it's about safeguarding perspective. He wants his children to understand that fame is a byproduct, not the goal of a meaningful life. In an era where every moment can be documented and shared, the Clooney family's choice to prioritize authenticity, chores, and quiet farm life over constant relevance is, arguably, the most luxurious inheritance they could offer their kids.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Clooney Family's Life When were George and Amal Clooney's twins born? Ella and Alexander Clooney were born in June 2017. How old are George Clooney's children now? As of 2025, Ella and Alexander are 8 years old. Where do George and Amal Clooney live with their family? They primarily live on a 425-acre farm called Domaine Le Canadel in Provence, France, though George also mentioned having homes in England and Kentucky. Why did George Clooney decide to move his family out of Hollywood? Clooney moved his family to France to give his children a "fair shake at life" away from the culture of Hollywood, the constant presence of paparazzi, and the pressure of being compared to other famous kids.

Sources

• Various news outlets as cited in the provided context (Esquire, Business Insider, CNN, Newsweek, OK!, Marie Claire, UNN).