George and Amal Clooney Share an Emotional Message as They Flee Their French Farm amid Wildfires — Details

George Clooney once described life on his family's farm in France as a chance to give his children a more grounded upbringing. That vision is now facing an unexpected test.

George and Amal Clooney have evacuated their farm near Brignoles in southern France after a wildfire swept through the area, threatening homes and surrounding vegetation.

Wildfire Threatens the Clooneys' Home in Southern France

George and Amal Clooney have evacuated their farm near Brignoles in southern France after a wildfire swept through the area, threatening homes and surrounding vegetation.

According to ABC News, the fire broke out Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and burned about 130 hectares (roughly 321 acres) before it was contained around 3 a.m. local time.

Authorities said the blaze had not yet been fully extinguished as firefighters continued working to secure the area.

The Ville de Brignoles later confirmed on Instagram that four firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, including one who suffered a fractured femur.

A Quiet Life Far From Hollywood

Long before the wildfire, George revealed in an October 2025 interview with Esquire that he and Amal chose to raise their twins, Ella and Alexander, on their farm near Brignoles to give them a quieter life away from Hollywood.

"They have a much better life. I was worried about raising our kids in L. A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don't give a [expletive] about fame. I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else's famous kids," George said.

The actor described a slower pace of life on the property, where the family spends much of its time outdoors. The farm spans about 100 acres of vineyards and 1,200 olive trees, and George recalled painting a fence with Ella and Alexander himself as part of the ordinary routines he wanted them to experience.

The Brignoles farm, reportedly purchased in 2021, serves as the family's primary residence. Their connection to France has also grown beyond the home itself.

According to the BBC, George and Amal, along with their two children, were granted French citizenship in 2025. The decision was published in the Journal Officiel, the French government's official legal publication.

Brignoles Mayor Didier Brémond told BFMTV, as cited by the same media outlet, that the Clooneys are "a very simple and very accessible family," adding that George Clooney "wants to live normally" in the town. He said the family's decision to become French citizens reflected the actor's "love for our country."

A Note That Put the Community First

Before they left Brignoles, George and Amal reached out to Brémond via a note shared with ABC News by George's representative. The note began by acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding their home.

"At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles we want to emphasise 2 things," the note read.

The couple then explained what they hoped would come first as the community responded to the wildfire.

"First we hope you and the people of our city are safe and second that Amal and I are committed to making sure that whatever happens to our village, we are part of this community and we'll be part of making it whole," Amal and George Clooney's statement read.

They concluded with a simple message underscoring their affection for the town: "We love Brignoles and our friends who live there."

Recovery Efforts Continue After the Blaze

In another Instagram update, the City of Brignoles said residents who had been evacuated the previous day were allowed to return home after the evacuation order was lifted.

Officials said firefighters continued working along the fire's 10-kilometer perimeter to extinguish remaining hot spots, while water-dropping helicopters remained on site and drone teams were scheduled to assist overnight.

Authorities also said part of RD12 would remain closed during cleanup operations, with motorists returning home urged to use caution and other motorists advised to follow a detour via RD43.

The wildfire evacuation was not the first time the Clooneys had been forced to leave a cherished home because of extreme weather. Years earlier, severe flooding prompted the couple to relocate from their Berkshire estate in England.

George and Amal, who share two children, purchased the Grade II-listed mansion for $13 million in September 2014, only a few weeks after their Venetian wedding.

After a year and a half of extensive renovations, which reportedly cost the couple a total of over $25 million, they transformed the 17th-century mansion into a modern, luxurious family home.

George reportedly told the builders, "What Amal wants, Amal gets." Nestled on a four-acre Thames island, the property, once imposing, was reimagined into a serene family haven, reflecting a blend of modern sophistication and romantic tranquility.

The no-expenses-spared renovation, led by a dedicated team of 20, resulted in a stunning transformation, featuring the staff quarters, which include a professional kitchen, a bedroom, and an office. Amal Clooney and George also have a 12-seat private cinema in their home and a gym.

The 11,000 square foot Oxfordshire property also boasts a 60ft swimming pool, which has a shaded area, and a hot tub, which are connected to the house via a walkway.

In addition, the outdoors features a garden that has pine trees, and an Astro-Turf tennis court. The lawn reportedly leads down to the river near the property, where a boathouse is located.

The terrace offers the Hollywood couple some privacy as they have planted a ring of trees around the island's perimeter, as they had foliage transported specially.

Despite these efforts, the mansion's proximity to the Thames rendered it vulnerable to flooding, an issue that compelled an additional $60,000 investment in flood-proofing measures.

The award-winning actor and the human rights lawyer reportedly were unaware that their new home, only inches from the riverbank, was liable to flooding.

Despite the effort and expense, neighbors living in the same village as the couple revealed that the pair have not been seen much around their home for quite some time.

The reason behind their move became apparent when the duo's back garden was flooded twice in just 13 months, a result of Britain's torrential rain and one of the wettest Februarys on record.

Neighbors expressed their understanding of the Clooneys' decision to relocate, citing the severe weather conditions that made the area difficult to live in. George and Amal reportedly could not even access their garden, which sits beneath four feet of water.

Helen Moore, a resident, mentioned that she used to see the Oscar Award-winning director on the grounds of his property often once he moved into the area but not anymore.

"You'd see him out and about in the village with Amal and the kids, but we haven't seen them for several months," she said, adding it is understandable especially because his house is the most affected by the flooding in the area.

"If I had a place in the South of France or anywhere else that's a bit drier, I'd have also gone there. But that's not an option for most of us," Helen expressed.

Another neighbor, Wendy Boonaert, a South African native who has been residing in the UK for the last twenty years, stated, "You can't fault this village and the surrounding area because it's very beautiful. But the rain has not helped, it's made life very difficult."

Wendy further explained that the area could have used some hot weather, adding that several wealthy and famous people lived in the same neighborhood and that she hoped George and his family would eventually return.

However, Wendy also noted that the movie star and his loved ones were probably better off in the South of France, where they were reportedly seeking refuge.

The Clooneys' relocation was part of a larger pattern in their lives, as they owned a global property portfolio. Apart from their home in England, the couple also owned houses in New York, California, and Italy. George and Amal reportedly retreated to their lakeside villa in Lake Como, Italy, every summer with their twins.