Residents of Cotignac, a tiny village in Provence, France, fear their home will be overrun by celebrities and selfie-taking influencers following news that George Clooney and his wife Amal plan to open a restaurant there. The couple are due to open the upscale Italian eatery in spring next year, not far from their family home.
A Village Under Threat
Named one of the "most beautiful" villages in France, Cotignac is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards. It is home to just 2,000 people, yet its reputation for light, delicate blush wines travels far. One of its award-winning family wine brands, Maison Mirabeau, even has a partnership with Soho House, whose Cotswolds branch is a favourite of Meghan Markle.
The village is no stranger to celebrity visitors, who flock there for privacy and a slower pace of life. David Bowie and Pink Floyd recorded albums at Studio Miraval. However, locals fear the town will be flooded with selfie-stick-wielding influencers or VIPs, having witnessed other peaceful destinations ruined by tourism.
Local Reactions
Writing on a Cotignac Facebook page, local resident Veronique Luisetti said the town was being "taken over". A second pleaded: "Keep Cotignac as it is please."
Responding to news outlet Var-Matin, which asked villagers for their views, many believed the upscale restaurant would be too expensive for their budgets. Lili Jane said it will be "reserved for the VIPs and Georges' friends".
Joss Guid added: "It's good to value a village, even though Cotignac doesn't really need it, the downside is that it risks taking away part of its authenticity. Take St Tropez, which was a nice little fishing village..."
Mixed Hopes for the Future
Jeany Cronk, who runs vineyard Maison Mirabeau, welcomed the job opportunities but hoped the village would retain its sense of calm. "You can't really escape the fact that people will want to come here to see George when his restaurant opens," the 53-year-old told The Sun.
"We are just hoping that everyone will be respectful and keep the spirit of our community alive. We are a former fishing village, we are not St Tropez. We don't have a big Chanel villa or crowds of visitors."
Some were more positive, stating: "The villages are dying out slowly, so I think it's a good idea, it will bring people and traders, I hope, to take advantage of it."
Mayor Jean-Pierre Véran told the newspaper Nice-Matin the restaurant will include a terrace and the option to reserve the dining room for private events when he hosts celebrities. He continued: "We discussed their restaurant, and I told them I wasn't opposed to this project, which can benefit everyone."
