Falaise is a Norman landmark in Sands Point, New York, and a filming location for The Godfather (1972). Built in 1923, it was designed by Frederick Sterner, and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by Nassau County, New York (operated by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy).
Location: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Sands Point Preserve, Sands Point
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1592, SRC-1593 - Designed by Frederick Sterner
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1592, SRC-1593 - Historic designation: Contributing building of the Gould-Guggenheim Estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
confidence 85/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1593, SRC-1592, SRC-4519, SRC-6629 - Appeared in The Godfather (movie, 1972)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1594, SRC-0700 - Architectural style: Norman
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1592, SRC-1593 - Designed by Polhemus & Coffin
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1592, SRC-5054, SRC-7864, SRC-7865 - Built in 1923
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-5055, SRC-1592, SRC-7866, SRC-7867 - Owned by Nassau County, New York (operated by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy) (since 1971)
confidence 85/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-13769, SRC-13797, SRC-13951, SRC-1593, SRC-6629
Evidence & sources
- SRC-0700 — The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations — The Godfather filming locations (Tier 2, filming_location_reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13769 — https://www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org/about/mission-history/ (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-13797 — https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/facilities/facility/details/Sands-Point-Preserve-53 (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-13951 — Wikipedia — Falaise (Sands Point, New York) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-1592 — Sands Point Preserve Conservancy — Falaise (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1593 — Clio — Falaise Museum (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1594 — Sands Point Preserve Conservancy — Film/TV Production (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4519 — Npgallery (Tier 1, government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5054 — Old Long Island — Falaise (Tier 3, blog; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5055 — Old Long Island — Falaise (2015) (Tier 3, blog; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5594 — Sands Point Preserve Conservancy — Falaise / Contact Us (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5595 — I LOVE NY (New York State Division of Tourism) — Sands Point Preserve (Tier 1, government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6629 — Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society — The Gould and Guggenheim Estates (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7864 — Get Out N About — Gilded Age Grandeur in Sands Point (Tier 3, secondary; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7865 — Untapped New York — NY Getaway: Port Washington (Tier 2, secondary; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7866 — Long Island Herald — Exploring historic Falaise mansion (Tier 2, news; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7867 — Yahoo Lifestyle — I visited the summer home of a Gilded Age dynasty (Tier 3, article; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Falaise guided tours ~45 min: Fri 12/1/2/3pm, Sat 12 & 2pm, Sun 12 & 2pm (seasonal). Tickets sold day-of only from Castle Gould Welcome Center starting 11am; tours sell out.
Admission: Falaise tour $15/person (pay day-of at Welcome Center). Preserve entry $15/car for non-members, free for Conservancy members.
Frequently asked questions
Where was The Godfather filmed?
Falaise, in Sands Point, New York, is a real-world filming location used for The Godfather.
Can you visit Falaise?
Yes — Falaise is open to the public on a limited basis. Hours: Falaise guided tours ~45 min: Fri 12/1/2/3pm, Sat 12 & 2pm, Sun 12 & 2pm (seasonal). Tickets sold day-of only from Castle Gould Welcome Center starting 11am; tours sell out.. Admission: Falaise tour $15/person (pay day-of at Welcome Center). Preserve entry $15/car for non-members, free for Conservancy members..
Who designed Falaise?
Falaise was designed by Frederick Sterner.
Where is Falaise located?
Falaise is located in Sands Point, New York.