George Clooney is adding restaurateur to his increasingly long list of jobs. The actor is reportedly preparing to open an upscale Italian restaurant in Cotignac, a small village in Provence, not far from the home he shares with Amal Clooney and their twins.
Work is already underway on the property, with local reports suggesting the restaurant could welcome its first guests in spring 2027.
George Clooney’s Restaurant Is Coming To Cotignac
The restaurant is taking over the former Les 3 Marches pizzeria at 11 cours Gambetta, right in the center of Cotignac. The building is currently being renovated, and while there is still plenty we don’t know — including the name, chef and menu — the concept is beginning to take shape.
The focus will be Italian food, but this won’t be a casual neighborhood pizza joint. Early reports describe a more upscale restaurant, although exactly what that means is being kept under wraps for now.
Cotignac makes a fitting setting. The Provençal village, home to around 2,000 people, is surrounded by vineyards and recognizable for the dramatic limestone cliffs rising behind its old town. Cours Gambetta runs through its center, lined with plane trees, restaurants and café terraces.
For now, anyone walking past number 11 will find a construction site rather than Clooney sipping an espresso outside.
Why George Clooney Chose Provence
Clooney’s connection to Italian food hardly comes out of nowhere. He has owned Villa Oleandra on Lake Como for more than two decades and has spoken often about his love of Italian cooking.
But France has become an increasingly important part of the Clooneys’ lives, too. In 2021, George and Amal purchased Domaine du Canadel, an estate near Brignoles, around 20 kilometers from Cotignac.
The family has since become a relatively discreet fixture in the region, and Clooney has made the occasional public appearance locally, including at the reopening of Cinéma Liberté in Brignoles.
The couple also obtained French citizenship in late 2025, further cementing their ties to the country.
What Will Be On The Menu?
Clooney reportedly isn’t launching the project alone. He is working with Canadian entrepreneur Graham Porter, who is behind Cotignac’s Hôtel Lou Calen. The hotel has helped turn the village into a more polished destination while keeping much of its Provençal character intact.
That partnership also offers a clue about what to expect from the restaurant: something sophisticated and destination-worthy rather than celebrity-branded for the sake of it.
There is no official menu yet, although Clooney’s favorite dishes could provide some inspiration. Chefs who have cooked for him have previously mentioned his fondness for gnocchi with pesto, porcini and truffle risotto, pizza and Sardinian specialties.
Whether any of those make the final cut remains to be seen.
When Will George Clooney’s Restaurant Open?
The current target is spring 2027, although there is no exact opening date yet. Reservations, prices and the restaurant’s name have also not been announced.
For Cotignac, however, the project could bring considerably more attention to a village that has so far remained relatively under the radar for international travelers.
And for anyone planning a Provence trip in 2027, there may soon be another reason to add this tiny village to the itinerary — even if the chances of Clooney personally bringing your pasta to the table remain fairly slim.