George and Amal Clooney were forced to evacuate their home in the south of France as wildfires four times the size of Paris continue to spread across the country.
The Hollywood couple have owned their 18th-century wine estate in Brignoles, Provence, named Domaine du Canadel, since 2021, when it became their primary residence.
It was revealed yesterday that George, 65, had written to Didier Bremond, the mayor of Brignoles, expressing his wish for the village to remain unharmed. "Whatever happens to our village, we remain fully part of this community," he wrote.
The Clooneys are among 600 residents evacuated from the area on Wednesday afternoon after 130 hectares nearby fell victim to the fire, officials said.
Should their sprawling 425-acre estate be destroyed by the fire, which broke out near Brignoles on Wednesday, the Clooneys would lose their primary residence.
© BACKGRIDLuxury property features
The 18th-century mansion comes with a tennis court, boules pitch, vast gardens, an olive grove, and a 25-acre vineyard, and was purchased by the couple for a reported $8.3 million.
The property also contains a 72-foot shaded swimming pool and a private ornamental lake. It's believed that 172 hectares of olive trees are planted around the house to increase privacy.
The vast estate is also home to the couple's twin children, son Alexander and daughter Ella, both nine. All of the Clooneys have French citizenship after it was awarded to them by the French government in December.
© GettyThe idyllic French estate is located just 25 minutes from Château Miraval, which was previously owned by George's good friend, Brad Pitt, and his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.
Privacy away from the spotlight
Their highly exclusive home also boasts 24/7 security. Reports from earlier this year revealed that journalists from Le Parisien newspaper had attempted to see the property but were quickly reprimanded by security on the street outside.
They later observed that the Clooneys' guards are "watching all the time" around the property. According to reports, the couple chose France as their forever home because they felt they could no longer cope with the abundance of paparazzi in America.
© Getty ImagesSpeaking about moving to France, he told the French broadcaster RTL: "Here, they don't take photos of kids. There aren't any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That's number one for us. We also have a house in the United States, but our happiest place is on this farm where the kids can have fun."
The Clooneys clearly feel a strong affinity for Europe as the French property is not the only luxury home in their possession. The couple frequent George's Villa Oleandra, which is nestled in the enviable holiday destination of Lake Como.
The Fantastic Mr Fox actor has owned the villa since 2002 and has used it to host several celebrity friends, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
