Actor George Clooney and his family were forced to evacuate their chateau in southern France as wildfires swept through the region. Clooney, 65, his wife Amal, 48, and their nine-year-old twins left their estate in Brignoles, located in the southeast of the country, after a fire ignited nearby on Wednesday afternoon.

The couple purchased the Domaine du Canadel property in 2021 for approximately €9 million (£7.7 million). The hilltop estate spans 25 acres and features a vineyard, swimming pool, tennis court, boules court, and olive groves. In a letter to the local mayor, Didier Bremond, the Clooneys expressed uncertainty over the fate of their home, writing, “We do not know if our beautiful house will survive this ordeal.” They also conveyed their support for the town and its residents, pledging to help the community recover from the damage.

Local officials reported that the wildfire affected around 130 hectares (321 acres) and led to the evacuation of nearly 600 residents. Four firefighters sustained injuries during containment efforts. By Wednesday evening, the mayor ordered evacuations in some neighborhoods as the fire approached the outskirts of Brignoles. Authorities later allowed residents to return by Thursday afternoon but cautioned that ongoing high temperatures and increasing winds continued to pose risks.

The outbreak in Brignoles is part of a larger wave of wildfires that have ravaged parts of southern France and Spain since mid-July. Across France, approximately 300,000 people have been displaced by the blazes. The fire in Gironde, southwestern France, has become the largest recorded in the country since 1949, consuming more than 103,000 acres, an area roughly twice the size of Manchester.

The Clooney family, who acquired French citizenship in 2025, have cited personal reasons for relocating from Los Angeles to France. George Clooney has spoken publicly about his desire to raise his children away from the pressures of celebrity culture and paparazzi encounters. In interviews, he has highlighted the benefits of the rural environment for his twins, Alexander and Ella, saying that it offers them a healthier lifestyle and more freedom than urban settings.

Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and advise vigilance as firefighting efforts remain underway in the region.