Juliette Binoche believes relationships are a ''real challenge''.

The French actress - who has previously had romances with professional scuba diver Andre Helle and actor Benoit Magimel - is currently dating Argentinean writer-and-director Santiago Amigorena, and admits she constantly finds maintaining a partner difficult.

She said: ''To keep [a relationship] is an art in itself. When woman are caught up in their everyday lives, habits are Killers.

''You have to take time for your relationship. Because it's always there you don't pay as much attention as you should. I think staying together is a lot of a work. It's a real challenge to be a couple.''

However, the 48-year-old beauty - who has children Raphael, 18 and 12-year-old Hannah - reveals she needs little time off from work because she is so energised by being an actress.

She added to Stylist magazine: ''I don't need to switch off because my job gives me energy. I don't need to do anything on the side as it wouldn't mean anything.

''My kids aren't on the side, they're part of it all. I can't put myself into different boxes, it just doesn't work for me.''