Filming Location
Corleone Mansion at the Lake

After the Corleone family left New York they moved to a big mansion at a lake not far away from Reno. The Corleone Mansion at the Lake is mainly used in the second film of the Godfather trilogy, but it is also in the opening scene of the third movie. To find the exact filming location read on or click the map pointer icon in the navigation section.

“Senator? You can have my answer now, if you like. My final offer is this: nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.”

Michael Corleone

Where did they film the Corleone Mansion at the Lake scenes? 

The Corleone family estate from The Godfather Part 2 took place at Lake Tahoe, a beautiful lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the border between California and Nevada. Fleur du Lac Estate or the Kaiser Estate, located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, was used as the exterior and interior of the Corleone family compound. The estate was built in the 1930s by industrialist Henry Kaiser as a location to test his boats for the upcoming World War II. The estate features a luxurious mansion, a private harbor, and several smaller buildings that were used as the various buildings of the Corleone compound.

How you can get to the exact filming location? 

The Fleur du Lac Estate is a private estate inside a gated community and is not open to the wide public. You can take a glimpse of the estate with its recognizable buildings and boathouse from the distance. A good spot for this is in the south of the estate next to Lake on the W Lake Blvd street. See the reference spot here.

You can book a stay at The Fleur du Lac Estate at www.tahoegetaways.com

Scenes filmed at Lake Tahoe Estate

In the film, Lake Tahoe is portrayed as the location of the Corleone family’s retreat, where they meet to discuss business matters and spend time with their loved ones. Most memorable Scenes:

• Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) confronts Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) for betraying him in the boathouse.
• Attack on Michael Corleone in the family house.
• Fredo Corleone gets assassinated out on the lake in a boat.
• Anthony Corleone´s (James Gounaris) first communion.
• Kay Corleone (Diane Keaton) wants to leave the estate but ist refused and has to return.
• Fredo wants to take Anthony fishing but Connie Corleone (Talia Shire) calls Anthony because Michael wants to take him to Reno.

Overall, the filming of The Godfather at Lake Tahoe added to the film’s mystique and helped to create a sense of grandeur and luxury that was essential to the Corleone family’s image. The breathtaking beauty of Lake Tahoe also provided a stunning backdrop for the film’s many dramatic scenes, making it a memorable location for fans of the movie.