George Clooneys Relocate to France Amid Political and Privacy Concerns
George and Amal Clooney have relocated to France and pursued French citizenship, motivated largely by the political climate generated by Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and rising concerns over privacy and security.
A significant factor influencing their move is Amal Clooney’s involvement in seeking an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She has faced potential US sanctions in connection with this advocacy, which the Clooneys cite as a reason for relocating.
In France, the Clooneys own Domaine du Canadel in Brignoles, Var, a 170-hectare estate in Provence that includes an 18th-century château and a 20-acre vineyard. The vineyard's agronomist, Laurence Berlemont, has worked closely with Clooney on blending sessions, praising his palate. This region, near the popular Miraval wine estates owned by other celebrities, has sparked speculation about Clooney producing a rosé and white wine. Eric Lambert, head of the Coteaux Varois appellation, expressed that Clooney could become an ambassador for the area.
Clooney has also highlighted France’s strict privacy laws, contrasting them with the paparazzi challenges experienced in the United States. He has stated that France offers a superior environment for raising their children compared to Los Angeles or Italy.
Despite the Clooneys’ strong Italian ties, including a Lake Como villa since 2002 and a Venice wedding in 2014, they opted against pursuing Italian citizenship, partly because France’s privacy protections were more suited to their needs.
According to The Guardian, the Clooneys’ move is part of a broader Hollywood trend of Trump critics relocating to Europe: notable figures such as Ellen DeGeneres, Robin Wright, and Courtney Love have moved to England; Rosie O’Donnell to Ireland; Eva Longoria to Spain; others like Richard Gere, Lena Dunham, and Ryan Gosling have also relocated.
In terms of legal developments, Amal Clooney was part of a 2024 ICC panel urging the court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant. The warrant was issued in November 2024. Subsequently, the Trump administration announced ICC sanctions in February 2025, and in April 2025, the UK Foreign Office warned Amal Clooney about potential US measures related to her ICC involvement.
