Vanessa Paradis regards motherhood as 'the greatest love story'

The 38-year-old singer-and-actress ' who has daughter Lily-Rose, 12, and nine-year-old son Jack with long-term partner Johnny Depp ' always wanted to have children but admits she wasn't prepared for how fulfilling she would find having kids.

She said: "I love being a mother. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a kid, but it was never as wonderful as it is for real. It's so beautiful.

"And yes, obviously, when you put yourself second, it has to make you a little less selfish."

Vanessa and Johnny have homes in America, France and the Caribbean, and she believes it is their willingness to travel which keeps the family sane.

She told Britain's Vogue magazine: "It's difficult sometimes but you can't have it all. Everything's got a price to pay. You could lose your head or your mind. And you do but. it's either that or your stay in one place.

"I wouldn't like to always be in the same place. To have the same everything. I like to move, stay for a few months, and make a life in a place.

"Home is pretty much where the people you love most are. You know, I can feel at home in a lot of different places."

Vanessa and Johnny think it is important for their children to experience as much as possible through their travels.

She explained: "It's great for education ' lots of different habits and cultures and languages and visual surroundings.

"And it fills you. It makes you who you are. I hope it makes them a little more open. Hopefully, a little bit better."