Si Bernard Magrez est aujourd’hui à la tête d’un véritable empire viticole français (40 vignobles dont 4 grands Crus classés : Château Pape Clément, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge et Clos Haut-Peyraguey), c’est probablement qu’il n’a jamais rien lâché, et ce, depuis plus de 60 ans.
Just a few hours of sleep are enough for him. Bernard Magrez starts his day with an hour of exercise between six and seven o’clock in the morning. Then it’s time for a marathon between Bordeaux (his home region), Paris, and the rest of the world! In his office, a motto is written: “Whoever comes in here without a solution is part of the problem.” Today, Magrez stands at the head of a veritable French winemaking empire (forty vineyards, including four Grands Crus classes: Château Pape Clément, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Fombrauge and Clos Haut-Peyraguey), all because he never gave up—not for over sixty years.
My Story
I wanted to get out. When I was thirteen years old, my father, with whom I had a difficult relationship, sent me to be an apprentice at a sawmill. There was a Breton in the dormitory, François Pinault, who also had some trouble with his father! When I was nineteen, I worked in a wine house for two years, and then I set off completely on my own: I took over a small business that imported barrels of Porto wine to bottle and resell to restaurants. The 1960s marked the start of superstores, so I presented my products—Porto, William Peel whiskey, Punch, Malesan wine—and it worked. Bit by bit, I bought vineyards around France and abroad. Like art, wine can create emotions, and it makes life that much happier!
Wine Tourism
In 2008, Bernard Magrez wanted to share his region and its rich heritage with the world by creating the Luxury Wine Experience. The idea? To give visitors a unique experience in the heart of Bordeaux and its great wines. “We felt that there was a growing curiosity amongst amateurs. For me, learning is a mission, an obligation.” As such, visitors can stay at the Château Pape Clément, discover the secrets of Magrez’s Grands Crus, participate in a workshop and develop their own wine, as well as explore the region by tasting oysters from Arachon Bay or even fly above the most beautiful vineyards by helicopter (Médoc, Saint Emilion, Graves, Sauternes and Pomerol.)
Similarly, Bernard Magrez has engaged with other sponsors to finance the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, which opened on June 1, 2016. This cultural site aims to promote and spread wine’s cultural heritage. “For me, it’s a sin to not invest in tourism.”
Cultural Engagement
Above all, he’s a collector—animal bronzes from the nineteenth century, Flemish still lifes, Bernard Buffet paintings. Bernard Magrez opened his cultural institute in 2011 at the eighteenth-century Château Labottière to promote contemporary artists. His cultural sponsorship initiatives involve all four of his châteaux and multiply the number of events: expositions, artist residences, symposiums, writing contests, concerts and music workshops. “I discovered JonOne when walking around by Cap Ferret. He was doing graffiti on the blockhouses on the beach. He came to stay with us for one year. You absolutely have to meet with the artists, they teach you to see in 360°.”
My DNA
Someone you view as a role model?
"I see role models everywhere, in François Pinault especially: a man with a vision and audacity, that’s rare."
Three words to describe yourself?
"Never give up."
Your inspiration to find new ideas?
"Reading. My go-to book is Seneca’s De Vita Beata, I bought four thousand copies to give to my team."
My Region
"Aquitaine is extremely rich. For me, it’s a big garden surrounded by amazing sights: the ocean, Spain, la Vendée... there’s extraordinary tourism potential! All this in addition to the housing market potential of a well-restored Bordeaux, with the TGV to come. I love the tranquility of this part of France, life is very sweet."
Three words or adjectives to describe your environment?
"We live well."
A scent?
"The smell of grass mixed with sand on the dunes. The smell of true pleasure."
A sound?
"The sound of my Stradivarius."
My Addresses
Gourmet:
« La Table des Prés d’Eugénie de Michel Guérard »
334, rue René Vielle, 40320 Eugénie-les-Bains
+33 5 58 05 06 07
Bistro-Style:
« Le petit Commerce »
22, rue Parlement Saint-Pierre, 33000 Bordeaux
+33 5 56 79 76 58
To expand your culinary horizons:
« La base sous-marine de Bordeaux »
Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux
+33 5 56 11 11 50
*Famous French businessman, CEO of the Kering Group (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Puma, Boucheron)
D’abord collectionneur - de Bronzes animaliers XIXe, de natures mortes de la peinture flamande puis de Bernard Buffet -, Bernard Magrez ouvre son institut culturel en 2011 au Château Labottière (XVIIIe siècle) pour promouvoir des artistes contemporains. Son action de mécénat culturel s’étend sur ses quatre châteaux et multiplie les initiatives et happenings : expositions, résidences d’artistes, mais aussi colloques, concours d’écriture, concerts ou ateliers musicaux. « J’ai découvert JonOne en me baladant au Cap Ferret. Il graffait sur des blockhaus sur la plage. Il est venu un an en résidence chez nous. Il faut absolument rencontrer les artistes, ils vous apprennent à voir à 360° ».
Mon ADN
Un homme/personnage qui vous sert de modèle ? « Je ne vis que de modèles, François Pinault en fait partie : un homme avec une vision et de l’audace, c'est rare. »
3 mots ou adjectifs pour vous qualifier ? « Ne jamais renoncer »
L’inspiration pour trouver de nouvelles idées ? « La lecture. Mon livre de chevet est La Vie heureuse deSénèque, je l’ai acheté en 4000 exemplaires et l’offre à mon entourage. »
Ma région
« L’Aquitaine est extrêmement riche. Pour moi, c’est un grand jardin bien entouré : l’Océan, l’Espagne, la Vendée... Il y a un potentiel touristique extraordinaire ! A cela s’ajoutent la richesse immobilière d’un Bordeaux très bien restauré et le TGV à venir. J’aime la tranquillité de ce coin de France, la vie y est douce. »
3 mots ou adjectifs pour définir votre environnement ? « On y vit bien. »
Une odeur ? « Celle des herbes mélangées au sable sur les dunes. L’odeur du vrai plaisir. »
Un bruit ? « Celui de mon Stradivarius. »
Mes adresses
Un gastro « La Table des Prés d’Eugénie de Michel Guérard » 334, rue René Vielle, 40320 Eugénie-les-Bains +33 5 58 05 06 07
Un bistrot « Le petit Commerce » 22, rue Parlement Saint-Pierre, 33000 Bordeaux +33 5 56 79 76 58
Un lieu pour se cultiver « La base sous-marine de Bordeaux » Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux +33 5 56 11 11 50
*Célèbre homme d’affaire français, PDG du groupe Kering (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Puma, Boucheron…)
The MECA (Maison de l’Economie Créative et de la Culture) is the last building in sight in Bordeaux, recognizable by its incredible architecture and remarkable for its artistic abundance. Designed like a loop, either from the ground floor or at high altitude, during the day or at night, you can see Bordeaux with new eyes.
By France.fr
The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…
