She struggled to pick him up, and then it took both her arms to cradle him – although she should enjoy that while she can, since St Bernards can grow to be as heavy as 13 stone.

Wearing a belted suede mini-dress and black boots, Amal laughed as the pup bounded around the winding medieval streets.

George surprised his wife Amal on her 46th birthday with a Saint Bernard puppy called Nelson

Civil rights lawyer Amal looked to have immediately fallen head over heels in love with the fluffy bundle of joy as she carried it in her arms

The loved-up couple walked Nelson through the streets of Contingac, a small village 20 miles from Brignolses, on the Var, in the Cote d’Azur, where they are now living

She and George, 62, who was dressed down in jeans and a navy polo shirt, visited an art gallery and were joined by friends for lunch on the terrace of the gourmet Picotte restaurant.

There is speculation that the Clooneys have now moved permanently to the Cote d’Azur and are no longer spending time at their £10 million Thameside mansion in Sonning, Berkshire.

The couple, along with their six-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, are said to have been living at the 18th century Domaine du Canadel for several months.

And they have not been seen at the Grade II-listed property in the UK – which they bought in 2014 and spent millions renovating – for two years, according to locals.

Their idyllic French estate includes a 25-acre vineyard, a pool, tennis court, boules pitch, olive grove and ornamental lake.

It is also just a 25-minute drive from Chateau Miraval, the winery which George’s close friend and fellow actor Brad Pitt bought with Angelina Jolie while they were still married.

She has since secretly sold her share to a Russian vodka oligarch, prompting an ongoing and bitter legal battle as to who has the controlling interest.

The couple enjoyed the sun and the charm of the picturesque village in the South of France as they took their new pooch Nelson to explore the area

Nelson appears to already be very well trained as he was seen sitting in front of his new superstar owners

Amol pcitured with her new pooch Nelson on the streets of Contingac

After a while Nelson had clearly worn himself out and was soon swept up by civil rights lawyer Amal

The St Bernard pup looked adorable as Amol carried him in her arms

George organised a romantic getaway in the village of Cotignac, where the couple were see taking a romantic walk

Then they had lunch at the Picotte restaurant, a gourmet establishment that offers local cuisine with fresh and local produce

The Clooneys, who married in Venice six years ago, also have a luxurious home on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.

George bought Villa Oleandra from the Heinz family in 2002 and spends most summers at the property, which boasts a basketball court, movie theatre and a garage full of vintage motorbikes.

It has hosted a string of stars, including Jennifer Aniston and Matt Damon, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Parts of Clooney’s film Ocean’s Twelve were also shot there. There had been reports Clooney was set to sell it, which he has insisted are not true.

Nelson is not the first St Bernard the family have owned. Four years ago, George brought puppy, Rosie, named after his late aunt, actress and singer Rosemary Clooney.

He is also known for rescuing animals, who end up travelling the world with him. He previously owned cocker spaniel Einstein, who died in 2017, and the couple have since rescued basset hound Millie and Louie, another spaniel.