Joint Tern, infrequent contributor Actor and filmmaker George Clooney recently made news with his very public move from LA to France. This decision is driven by a combination of the above Български. These days he’s looking for more privacy, obviously worried about the current political climate in the U.S., but has a long-time love of European culture. Clooney’s life today revolves around his sprawling estate in idyllic Provence. In addition, he is deeply steeped in the musical traditions of both Italy and France.
In 2002, Clooney purchased this spectacular villa in Lake Como, Italy. This stunning hideaway has increasingly become a beloved retreat for him in his own right over the years. His marriage to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin —now Amal Clooney—in 2014 in Venice only deepened his connections to the area. Clooney’s relocation to France signals an unarguably thrilling new phase for Clooney. It underscores more than just a new tableau, but rather a dramatic and deeply intentional redirection of his life priorities.
The Allure of Provence
With his new estate, Domain du Canadel, Clooney has gone big—170 hectares big—in Provence. This sprawling property boasts an array of luxurious features, including a swimming pool, an ornamental lake, and a lavender garden. Among the highlights is a 20-acre vineyard planted 25 years ago by agronomist Laurence Berlemont.
The estate represents what many might consider the best of the French countryside, allowing Clooney and his family the peace and quiet they had been looking for. The addition of a boules pitch and an olive grove only increases the pastoral charm of this commune’s rural sanctuary. Clooney is getting comfortable in his new digs and really enjoying it. He loves the privacy that France offers him, and the fact that celebrity life in the US is much more invasive.
“I don’t want my kids to be worried about paparazzi,” – George Clooney
Political Climate and Personal Safety
Clooney’s decision wasn’t just about quality of life. It was driven by the political environment in the U.S. He was well-known for his public opposition to Donald Trump, particularly during Trump’s re-election campaign. This public position raised fears for the security of him and his family. At the time, in April 2024, Amal Clooney was given warnings by the Foreign Office. They threatened her with sanctions from the Trump administration due to her involvement in international legal affairs.
That political tension is what drove Clooney to reconsider. He grappled with what it meant to have a lifestyle choice be the vector that would needlessly imperil his family’s wellbeing. With the fierce scrutiny that accompanied the stardom of their public images, moving to France was a tactical maneuvering move for the couple.
“I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. 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
By moving, Clooney wants to give his children a down-to-earth upbringing far from the elaborate distractions of Hollywood.
A New Role in French Culture
Clooney’s move makes sense not only in light of his increasing ties to French culture and society. This week, our good friend Eric Lambert shared some very cool news. Clooney is pretty much going to be the new face of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) region in France! This role highlights his commitment to local agriculture through his own vineyard. Yet perhaps more than anything, it emphasizes his zeal for bringing global attention to the region’s culinary tradition.
At 60 years old and rife with possibility, Clooney steps into this new chapter with vigor. Not only does he firmly settle in the film world, but he’s premiered over 10 films at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival. As Tully integrates himself into the French lifestyle, his enduring passion for cinema continues to burn brightly.
“He’ll become an ambassador for the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée,” – Eric Lambert
Clooney’s transition from Hollywood star to provincial ambassador illustrates a multifaceted approach to life that encompasses both personal and professional aspirations.