George Clooney once described life on the family farm in France as an opportunity to provide his children with a more grounded education. This vision is now being unexpectedly challenged.
George and Amal Clooney were forced to evacuate their farm near Brignoles in southern France due to a forest fire that ravaged the area, threatening homes and local vegetation.
Forest Fire Threatens Clooney’s Home in Southern France
George and Amal Clooney evacuated their farm near Brignoles, in southern France, as a forest fire swept through the region, jeopardizing homes and surrounding nature.
According to ABC News, the fire broke out on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, burning approximately 130 hectares (around 321 acres) before being contained around 3 AM local time.
The authorities indicated that the fire was not fully extinguished, with firefighters continuing their efforts to secure the area.
The city of Brignoles later confirmed on Instagram that four firefighters sustained injuries while battling the blaze, one of whom suffered a femur fracture.
A Quiet Life Away from Hollywood
Long before this fire, George revealed in an interview with Esquire in October 2025 that Amal and he chose to raise their twins, Ella and Alexander, at their farm near Brignoles for a quieter life away from Hollywood.
“They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., within the Hollywood culture. I felt they would never have a fair chance in life. In France, people care a little less about fame. I don’t want them walking around worrying about paparazzi. I don’t want them to be compared to other famous kids,” George explained.
The actor described a calmer rhythm of life on the property where the family spends most of their time outdoors. The farm spans about 100 acres of vineyards and features 1,200 olive trees, and George fondly recalled painting a fence with Ella and Alexander, as part of the small daily routines he wanted them to encounter.
The Brignoles farm, reportedly purchased in 2021, serves as the family’s primary residence. Their connection to France has also extended beyond just their home.
According to the BBC, George, Amal, and their two children obtained French citizenship in 2025. This decision was published in the Official Journal, the legal publication of the French government.
The mayor of Brignoles, Didier Brémond, told BFMTV, as reported by the same media, that the Clooneys are “a very down-to-earth and accessible family,” adding that George Clooney “wants to live normally” in the town. He explained that the family’s decision to become French citizens reflects “the actor’s love for our country.”
A Message of Community After the Evacuation
Before leaving Brignoles, George and Amal reached out to Didier Brémond through a note passed on via a representative of George. The note began by acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding their home.
“At this point, we don’t know if our beautiful home will survive this terrible moment, and while we evacuate Brignoles, we want to emphasize two things,” the note stated.
The couple went on to explain what they hope will be paramount in the community’s response to the fire.
“First, we hope that you and the residents of our town are safe, and then, Amal and I are committed to ensuring that, no matter what happens to our village, we will be part of this community and help rebuild it,” Amal and George Clooney said in their message.
They concluded with a straightforward message highlighting their attachment to the town: “We love Brignoles and our friends who live here.”
Reconstruction Efforts After the Fire
In another update on Instagram, the city of Brignoles stated that residents who had been evacuated the day prior were allowed to return home after the evacuation order was lifted.
Authorities noted that firefighters continued to operate within a 10-kilometer radius of the incident to extinguish any remaining hotspots, while water-dropping helicopters remained on-site and drone teams were set to operate overnight.
Officials also specified that part of the RD12 would remain closed during cleanup operations; motorists returning home are advised to exercise caution, and others are recommended to take a detour via RD43.
This evacuation due to a forest fire was not the first time the Clooneys had to leave a beloved home due to extreme weather conditions. Years earlier, serious flooding forced the couple to evacuate their Berkshire estate in England.
George and Amal, who have two children, purchased this Grade II listed mansion for $13 million in September 2014, just a few weeks after their wedding in Venice.
After a year and a half of extensive renovations, which reportedly cost the couple over $25 million, they transformed this 17th-century mansion into a luxurious family home.
George reportedly told contractors, “Whatever Amal wants, Amal gets.” Nestled on a four-acre island on the Thames, this once-impressive property has been reinvented into a serene family haven, blending modern sophistication with serene romance.
These renovations, carried out without sparing any expense by a dedicated team of 20, resulted in a stunning transformation, including staff quarters that feature a professional kitchen, a bedroom, and an office. Amal and George also have a private 12-seat cinema in their home, as well as a gym.
The 11,000-square-foot property in Oxfordshire includes a 60-foot pool with a shaded area and a hot tub, both connected to the house by a walkway.
Additionally, the exterior features a garden with pines and a synthetic grass tennis court. The lawn leads down to the river near the property, where a boathouse is located.
The terrace offers some privacy for the Hollywood couple, who have planted a circle of trees all around the island, having specially imported vegetation.
Despite these efforts, the house’s proximity to the Thames left it vulnerable to flooding, a problem that required an additional $60,000 investment in flood protection measures.
The award-winning actor and human rights lawyer were reportedly unaware that their new home, just inches away from the riverside, was susceptible to flooding.
Despite all these efforts and expenses, neighbors from the same village as the couple have noted they haven’t seen much of them at home for quite some time.
Helen Moore, a neighborhood resident, mentioned that she used to see the Oscar-winning director in his garden after moving in, but that is no longer the case.
“We used to see him walking around the village with Amal and the kids, but it’s been several months since we’ve seen them,” she said, adding that it was understandable, especially given how much her house was affected by the flooding in the area.
“If I had a house in southern France or anywhere else that was a bit drier, I would have gone too. But that’s not an option for most of us,” Helen stated.
Another neighbor, Wendy Boonaert, originally from South Africa and living in the UK for twenty years, mentioned: “You can’t fault this village and its surroundings; it’s truly beautiful. But the rain hasn’t helped; it has made life very difficult.”
Wendy added that the area could really use some warmth, noting that several wealthy and famous individuals live in the same neighborhood, expressing hope that George and his family would eventually return.
On the other hand, Wendy also pointed out that the movie star and his family were probably better off in southern France, where they’d sought refuge.
The Clooneys’ move was part of a broader trend in their lives, as they possess real estate portfolios on a global scale. In addition to their home in England, the couple also owns properties in New York, California, and Italy. George and Amal reportedly retreat every summer with their twins to their villa on Lake Como, Italy.
