George and Amal Clooney's epic $18m French chateau they bought in secret - photos

The Clooneys were seen enjoying a romantic weekend getaway just 20 miles from their Provence wine estate

    George and Amal Clooney's casual combined net worth of $570 million is partly down to their magnificent global property portfolio, which sees the Hollywood power couple with homes in Italy, England, New York, California, and more. 

    Every summer, the Clooneys retire to their $100 million lakeside bolthole in Lake Como, but the couple appear to have now fallen in love with a new European destination to ride out the winter, too. 

    This weekend, the actor and his civil rights lawyer sweetheart were seen walking through the streets of Contingac - a small village 20 miles from Brignolses - in the Cote d'Azur where they recently purchased a breathtaking chateau.

    The couple, who were seen taking their new St Bernard puppy, Nelson, for one of his first walks in public, seemed familiar with the charming French village.

    MORE ON THE CLOONEYS

    They visited a local art exhibition and dined at Picotte restaurant, a gourmet establishment that offers local cuisine with fresh and local produce. 

    Despite being rarely seen in France, the couple actually bought their French home, Domaine Le Canadel, an enchanting and sprawling 425-acre Provence wine estate for a reported $8.3 million in August 2021. 

    The 18th century mansion comes with a pool, tennis court, boules pitch, vast gardens, an ornamental lake, olive grove and 25-acre vineyard; plenty of space to raise their six-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, who can already speak three languages. 

    Chatting to Jimmy Kimmel, the star revealed his children speak English, French and Italian, telling the talk show host: "I'm not a very smart person. I’ve armed my children, they speak French and Italian."

    WATCH: George Clooney opens up about twins Alexander and Ella

    The Clooney's idyllic French estate is just a 25-minute drive from Chateau Miraval, formally co-owned by George's close friend and fellow actor Brad Pitt, and ex-wife Angelina Jolie

    George and Amal's love for Euorope has long been a shared interest in their marriage. Not only did they choose to tie-the-knot in a fairytale wedding in Venice, but they regularly vacation in Lake Como, Italy, where George has owned the magnificent Villa Oleandra since 2002. 

    The actor has denied reports that he is selling his famous Lake Como villa, which he said "changed his life in a very pleasant and unexpected way."

    He bought Villa Oleandra in Northern Italy from the Heinz family in the noughties, and has since hosted stars like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Jennifer Aniston and Matt Damon.

    The Clooney family's home dates back to the 18th century, and is located in Laglio. George initially purchased it for approximately $12 million, though it is now reportedly worth $100 million.

    The home includes a whopping 25 rooms, plus a swimming pool, a large garage, tennis court, full gym, a pizza room, and plenty of Italian charm and ornate detailings.

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