Bordeaux reaches out to top-class tourists

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BORDEAUX, France (AFP) — Known for its high-end wines, sumptuous chateaux and aristocrat vineyard-owners, Bordeaux has been strangely short of luxury tourist activities, but times finally are a-changing.

"Not enough is done at the very top end of the tourist market," said billionaire Bordeaux wine producer Bernard Magrez who, finding too little luxury for his liking has decided to open his own tour agency.

"Everyone in Bordeaux thinks people wait on bended knee for their wines, but nowadays excellent wines are produced all over the world," he told AFP.

So from September this year, when his agency officially opens, Magrez will be offering luxury short stays in four of his 18 Bordeaux chateaux, with helicopter or Rolls Royce on call for tours of the region....