Finally it’s the summer and festival season is already under way! We’ve already seen a scorchingly sunny Glastonbury Festival a fun packed Bestival is coming in September. These are just some of the UK’s finest but what about festivals abroad?

Of course there’s the likes of Exit Festival in Serbia and Oktober Fest in Germany still to come but our favourite has got to be Rock en Seine in Paris, particularly as it’s so easy to get to using high speed rail.

Last year, 15% of Rock en Seine’s festivalgoers were from England and this year there’s going to be even more. Rock en Seine in Paris and Bestival in Isle of Wight have teamed up to provide an exclusive event by blending two bands with outlandish live rock energy; Où est le Swimming Pool & Naïve New Beaters.

To celebrate a summer of fun, friends and festivals, Eurostar are offering one of our lucky readers a chance to win a pair of 3 day passes to Rock en Seine Festival and be there to witness this amazing fusion of French and English music. The prize includes two 3 day passes to Rock en Seine, two camping tickets and high speed return train travel on Eurostar for you and your guest!

If you haven’t heard about Rock en Seine before, it’s a 3 day festival located just outside of Paris with an array of incredible acts. It all kicks off on 27^th August 2010 and performers include Queens Of The Stone Age, Paolo Nutini, 2ManyDJs, Massive Attack, Arcade Fire and Blink 182 to name just a few!

If you’re still not convinced, see what the last winners thought when we brought them to Rock en Seine before on Eurostar.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

We’ll pick the winner based on originality, creativity and overall impression on 13th August and notify the winner via e-mail, see the full line up and below for our full terms and conditions.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook page to be kept in the loop with current and future competitions as well as news, deals and more. Good luck!

Photo: ‘The Prodigy live at Rock En Seine‘ by cougarmicrobes

Terms & Conditions
Entries must be submitted by 12th August 2010 at 11.59pm when the competition closes and the winner will be notified on 13th August 2010 via e-mail.Participants must be UK residents, over 18 years old and able to travel on 27th August 2010 on the 08:55 train departing from London St Pancras to Paris the winner and their guest must make their own travel arrangements to London St.Pancras, allowing for a required 30minutes checking before departure.Return travel is on 30th August 2010 on the 16:13 train departing from Paris Gare du Nord to London St. Pancras and the winner and their guest must make their own travel arrangements to Paris Gare du Nord, allowing for a required 30minutes checking before departure.There is no cash alternative and tickets are non exchangeable.

This competition is not available to members of Eurostar or its associates.

If a selected winner is unable to attend or make the designated departure train then the prize will be given to the next runner up.

This prize includes a Rock en Seine camping ticket as accommodation.

This Wednesday marks the 221st anniversary of The Storming of Bastille in 1789 by a group of French craftsmen and salesmen and the reconciliation that followed a year later at the Fête de la Fédération. The 14th of July, is celebrated annually worldwide and is more commonly known as Bastille Day, or formerly as La Fête Nationale by the French.

To celebrate Bastille Day this Wednesday, Favela Chic are hosting one of their monthly Vive La France events on Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, London. These renowned events aim to challenge John Lennon’s famous quote, “French rock tastes like English wine” by providing the best in French music. With this Wednesday being such an important date in the French calendar, Favela Chic are keen to make sure that this month’s Vive La France goes down a storm, so the well-known French electronic group, Curry & Coco, will be punching out tunes with their usual foray of adrenaline.

If you’d like to celebrate Bastille Day at this truly exciting event, you can win a table for you and 3 friends with free drinks and tapas by answering the following question in the comments below…

Which of all our Eurostar destinations would you most like to visit and why?

[THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED]

For more information about this event and more from Favela Chic, please visit their website: http://favelachic.com/london/

Terms & Conditions

• Entries must be submitted by 09:00am on Wednesday 14^th July 2010 and the winning entry will be notified by 12:00pm (midday) on Wednesday 14^th July 2010 via e-mail
• Participants and their 3 guests must be over 18 years old and be available to attend the Vive La France event at Favela Chic on Wednesday 14^th July 2010
• Winners will have to make their own way to Favela Chic, 91-93 Great Eastern St, London, EC2A 3HZ.
• There is no cash alternative
• These tickets are non refundable
• This offer is not available to members of Eurostar or its associates
• If a selected winner is unable to attend or if there is no response to their notification e-mail about winning then the prize will be given to the next runner up
• This prize includes no more than two (2) drinks per person (eight (8) in total)

Photo: ‘The Boxettes – Favela Chic‘ by vintagedept

When you’re next in Lille we’d strongly recommend checking out BD Fugue Café on Rue Royale. It’s a cross between a comic book store in the day and then in the evening it becomes a bar! The cafe attracts comic book fanatics of all ages coming to use the shop as a library whilst relaxing with a coffee and filling up on their very tasty sounding sandwiches.

Later in the day the counter, where you’d normally purchase a comic, transforms into a proper bar where you can spend your evening drinking with friends. In addition to being part cafe, part bar and part library/comic shop they’re also part gallery as the walls are plastered with various pieces of framed art work! All in all we’d recommend checking this place out for it’s eccentricity alone, even if you’re not interested in comics.

Address: 5 Rue Royale, 59800 Lille

Telephone: 0320151147

Photo: ‘Dealers Table‘ by Alan Light

Win the trip of a lifetime to the new generation festival at Disneyland® Paris to experience two magical parks and one stunning concert with your family this June.

We’ve got tickets for two lucky families of four to experience the Love Music Live event with Enrique Iglesias on 19^th June 2010.

As well as this fantastic concert the prize includes Park hopper tickets to both Disney Parks, accommodation in the Disneyland Hotel as well as your travel to and from the UK in Leisure Select on the Eurostar.

Departing on the 18^th of June you’ll get to experience the ease of traveling on the Eurostar and a whole weekend full of Disney fun that the family won’t forget.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED

Congratulations to Laura and Tariq who won the Disney competition this weekend

You have until Midnight Wednesday 9^th June 2010 to enter and winners will be selected and notified Thursday 10^th June 2010.

By entering this competition you are agreeing that you are over 18 years old and are happy to receive by email special offers and free news about Disneyland® Paris, as well special offers and free news by email from the Disney group of companies.

T&Cs

- This competition is open to adults aged over 18 years old residing in the UK.

- The prize is for a family of four (with at least 1 adult over 18 yrs old per room)

- Accommodation is for two nights in a standard room at Disneyland Hotel, including continental breakfast.

- Park hopper adult tickets to both Disney Parks for the duration of your stay (subject to capacity).

- 4 x entrance tickets to the Love Music Live event on 19 June 2010, to be held in the Pavilion in Disneyland Park

- 3 x lunch vouchers and 2 x dinner vouchers for the duration of your stay

- Holiday must be taken between 18 and 20 June 2010, and no other date will be made available.  The event date is subject to confirmation.

- Return travel on the Eurostar in Leisure Select (traveling to Disneyland® Paris on June 18^th at 9:53, coming back on June 20^th at 19:37). These travel times cannot be amended.

- The winner and their chosen companion must check in at least thirty (30) minutes before departure and may not be allowed to board the train if they do not do so. Eurostar will not be liable for any passengers failing to make the departure time indicated on their tickets.

- Eurostar shall not be responsible for any indirect, special or consequential damages or losses suffered by the entrant or a third party.

- Eurostar International Limited Conditions of Carriage apply to all Eurostar travel, copies of which may be obtained by writing to Eurostar UK Sales, Times House, Bravingtons Walk, London, N1 9AW or via the website: www.eurostar.com.

- Travel insurance is not provided

- UK transfers are not included.

- Winners are responsible for their own passport and visa requirements.

- The winner will receive hotel vouchers and park tickets in advance of confirming their accommodation.  If these hotel vouchers or park tickets are lost then they cannot be replaced.

- There is no cash or prize alternative.

- Any costs incurred in addition to the prize package elements listed above (e.g. telephone charges, room service etc) are at the guests own expense.

- This offer is not available to members of Eurostar or its associates.

- If a selected winner is unable to attend or make the designated departure train then the prize will be given to the next runner up.

- The promoter is Eurostar International Ltd, Times House, Bravingtons Walk, London N1 9AW.

In Paris for the Fête de la Musique? Everywhere you go you’ll hear music, from opera to jazz. The Fête unites big names at major venues with accordionists on street corners and choirs in church halls.

It all began in October 1981, when Maurice Fleuret became Director of Music. Fleuret wanted to find a way to bring people and their music out on to the streets. In 1982, the Fête de la Musique was created by the French Ministry for culture.Since then the Fête de la Musique is held in more than hundred countries in Europe and over the world and even had  a postage stamp devoted to it in 1998.

Musicians are a mix of professionals and amateurs and festival policy is to give an equal place to rock, jazz, singing and classical music. The event is aimed at a large audience, working to popularise musical practice for young and not so young people from all social backgrounds. It gives an opportunity to communicate and share a very special moment through music.

Rock gigs are usually held at the Place de la Republique, while classical orchestras can be heard in the courtyard of the Palais Royal and indie bands at Place Denfert-Rochereau. Events take place not just in Paris but all over France and it’s common for musicians to return to their home towns to perform.

Fête de la Musique takes place every year on the 21st June (the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere) and concerts will be happening all over Paris with everything completely free!

Photo Concert France2 by Edera

Last month our Arts Ambassador, Jarvis Cocker launched Eurostar Culture Connect – a unique partnership between Eurostar and specially selected museums and galleries in London, Paris and Brussels, giving our travellers exclusive 2 for 1 entry to these exhibitions simply by showing their Eurostar ticket.

To celebrate the launch, we’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets to see our Arts Ambassador play live with Air at Cité de la musique on Friday 4 June, as well as Eurostar travel to get you to Paris and back.

ENTRIES TO THIS COMPETITION ARE NOW CLOSED

Entries must be submitted by Monday 31 May 2010 and the winners will be announced on Tuesday 1 June 2010

* Participants have to be UK residents, over 18 years old and able to travel on Friday 4^th June on the 16.04 train departing from London St Pancras to Paris, allowing for a required 30minutes checking before departure. Winners will have to make their own way to St Pancras. There is no cash alternative. These tickets are non refundable. This offer is not available to members of Eurostar or its associates. If a selected winner is unable to attend or make the designated departure train then the prize will be given to the next runner up. This prize does not include accommodation in Paris.

In collaboration with:

Photo: IMG_8104 by Tripwireerin

French product designer, Philippe Starck, has been complimented heavily on this ‘gem’ of a multistorey car park in the 20th district of Paris. We know it sounds pretty odd suggesting to visit a multistorey car park but this one is completely unique… It’s been renovated into a very trendy, swanky (and reasonable) hotel called Mama Shelter.

It’s got a vast range of extra services on offer including baby sitters for families and a ‘Business Corner’ for those needing to do a little work. Apart from the incredible decor, attention to detail and impeccable service, our favourite bit is probably the in-room entertainment systems although we wouldn’t want to be distracted from Paris itself!

If you’re a little peckish you can browse their selection of snacks or if it’s a drink or two you’re after they’ve got two bars to choose from. Each of their bars look completely and utterly cool and stylish and we’ve heard that they attract similarly trendy people.

For those of you looking to liven things up a little, Mama Shelter continues to do so by inviting some of the best DJs, bands and artists to perform live regularly. Check out more on the ‘Play‘ section of their website.

At the heart of this hotel is the passion and enthusiasm for top quality design and Philippe Starck’s attention to detail is amazing. For the art, design, fashion, architecture music and general experience lovers amoungst you Mama Shelter is well worth a try.

You can find Mama Shelter on their website and on Facebook

Photo from Mama Shelter

We were contacted recently by one of our lovely readers Adeline who lives in Lille. She’s kindly written a guest post for us with her suggestions of a place of that you should visit while in Lille as well as an amazing event that took place recently.

What would you think of attending a party, seeing an art exhibition, having dinner, watching a movie, practising basketball and playing cards… all at the same place?

Well, this is possible at the Gare Saint Sauveur in Lille! What used to be a freight station from 1864 reopened as a leisure place in March 2009 – at the opening of “Lille 3000 Europe XXL”. 6000 m² have been converted into two main buildings: one as an exhibition gallery, and one as a cosy place with tables, chairs, sofas and a bar.

A few weeks ago I went to an amazing party, organized to celebrate both Spring and the opening of “Traffic Jam”, an exhibition by Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou. Starting around 21:30, the party gathered people of all ages and all backgrounds – there I met Swedish and South Korean students.

My friends and I danced to electronic music until it finished… The DJ set was mixing classic oldies like Michael Jackson and great new songs and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Last Sunday afternoon I visited Gare Saint Sauveur again to listen to a concert and have a cup of tea at the restaurant. It was sunny and on the pavement area, people were sunbathing on deckchairs… Even if it was a bit chilly outside, I found it the perfect spring afternoon!

On May 21st a special event is taking place called… “Lille de Wight” which is a tribute party to The Isle of Wight festival and its “dedicated hippy culture”. No doubt I will join the party and have a lot of fun! There will be movies projection and another DJ set… I can’t wait for this Friday night to begin…

If Adeline’s post makes you want to pay a visit to Lille for the next festival, then be sure to keep the weekend of the 21^st May free as Lille de Wight looks set to be a fantastic event.

Main Image – The coloured wheel has insults written on it – when you turn it, it literally insults you

Further Information:

http://www.lille3000.eu/gare-saint-sauveur/printemps-2010/

Gare St Sauveur, Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas, Lille

Métro Lille Grand Palais / Mairie de Lille

+33 (0)3 28 52 3000

A former textile mill dating from 1850, Maison Folie, is set to host the major concerts of Lille’s Wazemmes district parties during the May Accordion Festival. The festival has grown from a small beginning in the 1990s to a huge local music event attracting a wide span of musicians from various genres including rock, punk, folk, jazz, classical and tango. When visiting Wazemmes in Lille you’ll be immersed in impromptu performances, dancing and revelry across the town and it sounds like a place not to be missed!

If you can’t make the Accordin Festival then Maison Folie is well worth a visit at any time of the year with it’s whole host of performances, exhibitions, courses and artists in it’s vast 5000m2 space. Last year alone it attracted more than 70,000 visitors in search of this hive of diverse culture and creativity.

To join Maison Folie Wazemmes on Facebook click here and to find more information about this truly cultural city visit the Lille Tourist Office by clicking here.

The Wazemmes Accordion Festival is taking place on in Lille on the 11th – 23rd May 2010.

Record company [PIAS] are hosting a series of stunning concerts and DJ sets by some of their many excellent artists. The first of these [PIAS] Nites is this Friday in Brussels and we have two pairs of tickets to give away, including Eurostar tickets so you can be there!

Headlining the bill will be the grand master Vitalic, back in Belgium three years after his unforgettable concert at the AB in Brussels. Get ready to be immersed in his spectacular “V Mirror Live”show, which will be an amazing blend of mirrors, light and music, a truly breathtaking experience.

Next up on the bill will be DR. Lektroluv (the guy with green mask) with his explosive mix electro’s latest sounds with rare and classic tunes.

The icing on the cake at [PIAS] Nites will be the unique sound clash between two legends, Laurent Garnier and Tiga, who will be spinning records back to back for the first time.

Three new artists have been revealed, completing the definitive [PIAS] Nites’ line up, The Black Box Revelation, Stijn, and London’s very own Kitty, Daisy & Lewis.

So how do I win I bet you’re all wanting to know?! Simple. Answer this question by leaving your answer in the comments section below and tell us why you really want to win by Midday Wednesday 24^th March.

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED

The two best entries will be picked once the competition closes and will be notified by email on the 24^th March.

Winners will leave on the 16.04 train departing from St Pancras to Brussels on Friday the 26^th March and once the party ends at 5am will return on the 6.59am train from Brussels to St Pancras.

For more information about [PIAS] Nites including the full line and further information about the event in Brussels please visit www.piasnites.com.

* Participants have to be UK residents, over 18 years old and able to travel on Friday 26^th March on the 16.04 train departing from London St Pancras to Brussels, allowing for a required 30minutes checking before departure. Winner will have to make their own way to St Pancras. There is no cash alternative. These tickets are non refundable. This offer is not available to members of Eurostar or its associates. If a selected winner is unable to attend or make the designated departure train then the prize will be given to the next runner up. This prize does not include accommodation in Brussels.

Photo courtesy of [PIAS] Nites