The rap icon threw a lavish multiday extravaganza in Bordeaux for his 54th
Jay-Z and Beyoncé were also in France this summer for Paris Fashion Week, supporting Louis Vuitton creative director Pharrell Williams.
After buying the most expensive home ever sold in California and completing an extraordinarily successful world tour, it appears Beyoncé and Jay-Z are keeping the good times rolling through the end of what has been a significant year for the music power couple. Most recently, People reports that the pair celebrated the “99 Problems” rapper’s 54th birthday on December 4 by partying in France’s Bordeaux region. The star-studded guest list reportedly included Rihanna, Ellen Pompeo, Kris Jenner, and Lisa of BLACKPINK.
Luxury conglomerate LVMH owns some of the properties visited by the partygoers (and a 50% stake in Jay-Z’s Arnaud de Brignac champagne line). Though they declined to divulge details of the lavish multiday event, a spokesperson from LVMH reportedly referred to the gathering in a statement to France 3 as a “tournée des grands-ducs,” or “tour of the grand dukes”—a phrase that essentially translates to “painting the town red.” Below, we’ve rounded up details on every stop of the birthday itinerary, should you want to fantasize for a moment about going on a grand duke’s tour of your own.
Venice Simplon Orient Express
Jay-Z and his A-list pals reportedly took a ride on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, a luxury train service owned by LVMH. On the afternoon of the hip-hop legend’s birthday, the train caught the eyes of commuters when it stopped twice at Bordeaux’s Saint-Jean station, per French news outlet Le Figaro.
Made up of restored Art Deco train cars, the VSOE boasts intricate handcrafted details, such as mosaics of marble, onyx, Venetian granite, and Italian glass; sinks made using traditional glassblowing techniques; and thoughtfully sourced antiques. “Every aspect of the train’s design is linked to our history, and every detail is treated like its own work of art,” general manager Pascal Deyrolle told AD in 2018. “From the woodworking and marquetry to the crystal glassware and textured fabrics, the craftsmanship emanates from every angle.”
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Partygoers reportedly stopped at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a 215-acre vineyard that King Charles III also visited in September. The plot’s use as a vineyard dates back to the 14th century. Today, the château is renowned for its sustainable and organic farming practices.
Les Sources de Caudalie
During their stay in Bordeaux, Bey-Z and their guests rested their heads at Les Sources de Caudalie, a five-star hotel and spa located on the Smith Haut Lafitte premises. The “Crazy in Love” vocalists reportedly booked the entirety of the 64-room property throughout the celebration. Highlights of the boutique accommodation include a hammam, vinotherapy beauty treatments with grapes from the vineyard, a natural bath filled with hot spring water sourced from 1,772 feet underground, and an on-site restaurant which boasts two Michelin stars.
Yquem Castle
Jay-Z and his birthday crew also sampled rare wine at Château d’Yquem, a vineyard dating back 400 years. The property falls under the ownership of LVMH and boasts nearly 280 acres of grapevines, producing about 10,000 bottles of wine a year.
Chateau Cheval Blanc
The celebration continued at another vineyard owned by LVMH, Château Cheval Blanc. The Premier Grand Cru Classé wine produced at the château is made inside a sleek winery with an organic silhouette designed by Pritzker Prize–winner Christian de Portzamparc.
Château Pétrus
At Château Pétrus, attendees drank bottles of 1969 vintage in honor of Jay-Z’s birth year. Photos of the visit posted by Roc Nation vice president, Lenny Santiago, circulated on Twitter; in them, the “Empire State of Mind” rapper can be seen laughing behind a candlelit table lined with a long row of 1969 Pétrus bottles. Spanning 28 acres, the estate produces bottles of red wine that fetch an average of over $5,000 each.
