There’s a questionable story that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are going to have a housewarming party to better ingratiate themselves to the neighbors. They were said to be angering the locals in Brignol, France, where they’re currently living on a leased 880 acre estate. There was a bloody altercation between two paparazzi photographers hiding in the woods on their property and their security guards about a month ago. E! News reported shortly afterwards that the residents of their sleepy village weren’t happy with the way the couple was monopolizing the local police and attracting outsiders wielding camera. E! hasn’t had the most accurate stories about Brangelina in the past, but given the facts it’s only reasonable to assume that people in Brad and Angelina’s newly adopted town aren’t happy with all the increased activity and attention after they arrived.

Bang Showbiz reports that Brad and Angelina are going to try and make amends by throwing a party:

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are set to host a party for their neighbors.

The Hollywood couple – who recently welcomed twins into the world – are hoping to become fully integrated into the community of the French village of Brignol by throwing the soiree.

Brad and Angelina live close to Johnny Depp and his long-term partner Vanessa Paradis, who own a vineyard just north of St. Tropez.

A source told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper: “They want to get stuck into village life and become real locals. Brad said they want to be like Johnny and Vanessa, who live a quiet life in nearby Plan de la Tour.”

The stars were said to have been encouraged to host the event by the mayor.

The source added: “They have met town officials who have said it is a tradition for newcomers to host an early evening drinks reception for everyone who lives in the village.”

[From Bang Showbiz via Gossip Rocks]

This could possibly be true. Brad met the head of the local wild boar hunting club and assured him that the annual hunt could be conducted on his property without a problem. They seem like they’re trying to make nice with their neighbors and a housewarming party would go a long way towards changing people’s feelings about them.

My knowledge of French housewarming custom is based on those “Year in Provence” books and what little I could google, but it seems traditional to hold a housewarming party there. When I lived in the German part of Switzerland it was customary to have a housewarming party once you were settled so that you could get to know your neighbors. It’s probably similar in France and the neighbors should appreciate a nice party to meet the famous family. As long as all the guests are well vetted and no imposters are able to get through. You know the paparazzi and media are going to try and pull something if the Jolie-Pitts are having a party. There were dudes dressed in camoflague holing up in the surrounding forest, they’re sure to try and figure out a way to get inside if there’s an opening.

Brad, Angelina, Shiloh and Maddox are shown in Cannes on 5/16/08 and 5/19/08. Credit: Fame