Bordeaux wine magnate Bernard Magrez, who owns more than 40 estates in France and overseas, has bought a Stradivari violin for the launch of his new cultural institute. The golden-period instrument was sourced in London and apparently cost between 2 and 3 million euros. The previously nickname-less violin will now be known as the 'Château Fombrauge' after Magrez's St Emilion grand cru. Its owner's new cultural institute will support young musicians and also showcase performances by experienced professional violinists, who will get to play the Stradivari.

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