Rock en Seine festival & story ideas

[justjools]

Hi folks

I have a few questions actually if that's ok.

Firstly has anyone here been to the rock en seine festival taking place next week? I have won a free ticket and plan to drop in a few times rather than stay for the duration or camp, but is it worth staying nearby or not really? What sort of atmosphere does it have, friendly or edgy?

Secondly, I'm a journalist and looking for article ideas to pitch at somewhat short notice to publications here in the uk on anything interesting or different happening around that time, end Aug, early Sept. Does anyone have any good insider's tips please? All angles considered, self promotion fine too!

Lastly I'm looking for nice, cheap, central accom for 1 (assuming staying nr the fest is not a great idea) which might still be avail from Friday- Monday, is this a lost cause?? Hope not!

Thanks
Jools

[Anne]

I have never been but I assume that the atmosphere is friendly. A few friends of my eldest one attended the festival two or three years ago and I know that they loved it and these were 16 or so years old girls who are not of the rough type at all, so they must have felt pretty safe.

[justjools]

Thanks Anne, I prob sound silly and overcautious but they can vary here in the uk, am looking forward to it now! :-)

[Megan]

Hi justjools

I was supposed to be going to that but unfortunately cannot make it as I have friends flying in from NZ as well, my friend is going tho, I am really annoyed to have missed it, if you were going on your own you could have met up with us , from what I have heard it is supposed to brilliant.

Actually since you asked for storyideas she is having her grand opening for her store in paris on the 16th - a New Zealand concept fashion store which is the first of its kind, their will be a haka group performing, NZ DJs, rugby players etc - I can put you in touch with her if you might be interested

M

[justjools]

Thanks Megan, sure, please do. I can't promise I can sell the story, but it's worth a shot definitely.

A shame about the fest, I'd have liked that, but glad to hear it's a good one.

And any recommendations for cheap n central accom most welcome too, running out of time! lol

Jools

[justjools]

The festival was just great people. Lots of space, friendly atmosphere, good options, all in a really pleasant park only 30mins by metro from the hotel. I'll be back I think. If anyone fancies reading my review of it, you can do so on my blog link below. My next one will look at my experiences of walking around Paris, taking in Buttes de chamont (just beautiful!) , Park Villette, Montmartre (which I enjoyed less this time on 3rd visit) and St Georges.
I walked my poor feet off and consequently saw a lot of the North East this time. What I love about Paris is how genuinely multicultural it is. Everyone mixes and appears to get on. Even Gare de Nord wasn't so bad. I was a bit scared of the walk there and got nervous when a fairly tough looking wino guy approached me for a ciggie outside. He asked me where I was from, I told him London and he said 'Ah, bon, God save the Queen!', a brilliant end to a great trip! :-)

Didn't think much of the hotel, a real fawlty towers set up. Got told off by the cleaner and ushered into the bathroom for her to make the bed 2 hours after check in time and was asked to pay up the night before I checked out! I may post some pics here later.

(Hope that's not too promotional a thing to do here about blog, and apologies if it is frowned on. I don't make nay money from it anyway, it's just my outlet!)