American actor Brad Pitt has opened his private Miraval estate in Provence to journalists for the first time, allowing television cameras inside the historic French property.
A camera crew from French television network TF1 was permitted to tour the estate in the commune of Correns, located in the Var department of southeastern France. Pitt was not present during the visit, and every visitor was required to show credentials and sign a non-disclosure agreement before entering. Security guards monitor the grounds day and night, with one guard telling reporters that the property experienced two intrusions during the previous weekend.
In the absence of the 62-year-old Oscar winner, the tour was conducted by his business partner and right-hand man, Marc Perrin. Perrin guided the reporters into the estate's heavily guarded wine cellars. Together, Pitt and Perrin created Miraval, an internationally exported Côtes de Provence rosé wine, and subsequently partnered to develop a skincare line formulated from grape extracts harvested on the property.
Displaying a bottle during the tour, Perrin said that he and Pitt spent entire evenings designing the label. He noted that although the design appears straightforward, it required extensive work to complete. Perrin added that working alongside an artist like Pitt involves a high level of perfectionism, explaining that launching the product was out of the question until every detail reached perfection.
Wine cellars and recording studio
Beyond winemaking and cosmetics, the property houses a famed music recording studio that has operated on the site since the late 1970s. Pitt partnered with French producer Damien Quintard to restore and modernize the facility. The studio previously hosted major international rock groups, including Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Muse. Roland Venturini, director of Château de Miraval, told TF1 that the updated layout includes dedicated accommodation so visiting musicians can stay on site comfortably while working in Provence.
The 1,000-hectare estate sits a few kilometres from Brignoles, where fellow actor George Clooney spends part of the year. While the former ER star is frequently seen by local residents visiting local fast-food outlets, Pitt maintains a strictly low profile when residing in France. Miraval has served as Pitt's private retreat for 15 years, with the actor splitting his time equally between Los Angeles and his home in southern France.
Hollywood career and French estate history
Pitt originally purchased the Château de Miraval estate in 2011 alongside his former wife, actress Angelina Jolie. Pitt, who won an Academy Award for acting in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and for producing 12 Years a Slave, is scheduled to return to cinema screens on 23 September in the upcoming feature film Heart of the Beast.
