Johnny Depp Opens Up About Raising His Kids in France: "I Was Papa, And I Loved It"
Johnny Depp, the iconic actor known for his unforgettable roles — from Pirates of the Caribbean to Edward Scissorhands — recently got a bit sentimental in an interview with The Sunday Times. He opened up about something many fans might not know much about: his experience raising his two children, Lily-Rose and Jack, with his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis. And it turns out, that chapter of his life was deeply special.
The French Connection: A Hidden Chapter of Family Life
Most people picture Johnny Depp in the flash of Hollywood, but from 2001 until around 2012, he and Vanessa chose a very different setting to raise their kids — a private estate near St. Tropez, in the south of France. It was a world away from the paparazzi frenzy of Los Angeles or New York. This quiet, idyllic place is where Johnny says he truly felt at home for the first time.
"Truly, the first time I felt I had a home was the place in the south of France where Vanessa and I raised the kiddies," Depp shared. That little corner of the world gave their family a sense of normalcy, a rare luxury for two people constantly under the public microscope.
Vanessa Paradis, who is a singer and actress herself, had actually picked France as their home base. Back in 2007, she told Belgium’s Weekend Knack magazine, "For my children, I secretly choose France. Even though Los Angeles is great too. We raise them bilingually anyway, so for them it doesn't really matter. Only, in the south of France, you can live much more anonymously. And that's a bliss, especially when the children are still young."
It’s easy to see why. France gave their kids a childhood out of the spotlight — running through vineyards, playing on sprawling grounds, and just being kids. No flashing cameras, no crowds, just family.
From “Papa” to “Dad”: The Changing Role of Parenthood
Johnny’s reflections about fatherhood come with a lot of heart. He says, "I was Papa. I cannot tell you how much I loved being Papa." That affectionate nickname “Papa” reflects a period when his kids were young and he was deeply immersed in their daily lives.
But, like all things, time marches on. Johnny joked that as his kids grew older, "Then, suddenly, Papa was out the window. I was Dad." It’s a subtle nod to how the dynamic shifts as children grow — the cute, playful “Papa” naturally becomes the straightforward “Dad” as they mature.
But the nostalgia shines through. Johnny’s still hoping “Papa” makes a comeback someday, with a smile: "Papa was awesome, and I’m getting old enough for Papa to possibly come back. Some motherf-----’s going to have to call me Papa!”
It’s a reminder that no matter how famous or busy someone might be, the roles and bonds of parenthood remain the most meaningful. Being “Papa” wasn’t just a title for Johnny — it was a role he cherished deeply.
Art, Time, and the Kids Growing Up
Behind Johnny in the interview sat a painting — a portrait of his daughter Lily-Rose Depp, who was born in 1999. Johnny confessed, "I never finished it. She was 10 then, and 25 now."
This simple statement is powerful. It’s a glimpse into how time flies, how childhood passes before you even realize it. “Years get away from us, don’t they?” Johnny said, with the kind of wistfulness many parents can relate to.
And now, he’s dealing with what’s often called “empty nest syndrome.” When asked what he misses most about having his kids around, he didn’t hesitate: "Oh man, my kids growing up in the south of France in their youth?" Those early years — the laughter, the chaos, the endless energy — are precious memories he clearly holds close.
Johnny and Vanessa also share a son, Jack Depp, born in 2002. Like his sister, he spent his formative years in that peaceful French estate, away from prying eyes.
A Life Between Countries and Continents
Today, Johnny Depp’s life is a bit more nomadic. When asked where he calls home these days, he admitted he doesn’t spend much time in the U.S. anymore, preferring to split his time between the U.K. and the Bahamas.
Still, no matter where he goes, Johnny’s heart seems to tether back to that house in the south of France — the place that first truly felt like home.
Why France? Privacy, Normalcy, and Family First
Choosing to raise kids in France wasn’t just a random choice. Vanessa Paradis knew what she wanted: a safe, quiet place where their children could grow up without constant attention.
"We raise them bilingually anyway," Vanessa said, "so for them, it doesn't really matter." But the real draw was privacy and anonymity. “In the south of France, you can live much more anonymously. And that's a bliss, especially when the children are still young.”
It’s something many celebrity families struggle with: balancing fame with normal family life. Johnny and Vanessa clearly found a way to do just that for over a decade.
A Look Back With Fondness
Though Johnny and Vanessa parted ways in 2012 after 14 years together, Johnny’s reflections show no bitterness, only fondness. The memories of those years with their kids in France seem to have left an indelible mark on his soul.
He describes those days with warmth, pride, and maybe a touch of melancholy — something anyone who’s seen their kids grow up can understand.
Key Takeaways:
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Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis raised their kids quietly on a French estate near St. Tropez for over a decade.
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The actor cherishes the title "Papa" and fondly remembers those years of hands-on parenting.
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Privacy and normalcy were the main reasons they chose France over the flashier life in L.A.
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Johnny admits to feeling “empty nest syndrome” as his kids have grown into adults.
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Today, Johnny splits his time between the U.K. and the Bahamas but still feels that French home was the first true place he belonged.
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Vanessa Paradis values anonymity for her children and raising them bilingually in France.
Final Thought
For Johnny Depp, fame has always been part of his story — but it’s clear that being a dad was the role he loved most. That quiet life in France, far from the Hollywood spotlight, was a sanctuary, a place where “Papa” could just be a dad, and where his kids could grow up in peace.
And honestly, isn’t that what all parents want? To create a home that feels like home — no matter where in the world it is.
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