(TheStar) - The Hospices de Beaune, an annual charity auction that is one of the highlights for France's wine world, raised a record 5.9 million euros ($7.5 million) this year, organisers said on Monday. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, France's former first lady, added a touch of supermodel sparkle to Sunday's auction, held for the 152nd time in what was a hospital for the poor founded in the 15th century. The auction was the highlight of three days of festivities centred on the region's celebrated food and wine. British auctioneers Christie's now run the event that attracts wine connoisseurs from all over the world.