Six private equity firms are among seven potential bidders for French champagne, perfume and hotel group Taittinger, which has been put up for auction for more than €2bn ($2.38bn). Offers are due before the end of next week.

According to a report in the leading French daily Les Echos, individual bids are likely to come from The Carlyle Group, Terra Firma, Cinven, US financier Barry Sternlicht and French investment group, Wendel Investissement.