He had felt the potential of the banks of the Moselle. Just boss of the Falcon – we are then in 2001 –, Hervé Rosenkranz operates a business without a terrace, and imagines that once summer comes, he could set up an ephemeral guinguette at the edge of the water. A friend supports him in this idea of an esplanade. The first version of Rive en fête is about to be born.
“I contacted Voies navigables de France to submit the project. The feedback has been positive. We signed an agreement that allowed me to open from April to September. In 2005, the first flâneurs were served. The seasons pass. Hervé seeks to refine the concept. In addition to evening concerts, pony rides on Sundays, in connection with the equestrian center of Kœking, and bicycles for rent offered by Mob Emploi, he has the idea of “installing a pontoon along the river. But the cost of the installation put me off”. Far from disarming, the business manager manages to convince the operator of the boat Majesty of the seas to drop anchor in Thionville. The public then does not sulk its pleasure, hair in the wind.
“I knew I was not going to be alone here”
Along the water, the elected officials in turn imagine being able to invest the place, by opening the option of landing there to others. The Rive en fête event is officially created. The target audience: families. “I knew that I was not going to be alone here”, smiles the one who today assures “that here, it’s a good team, united! »
These neighbors of a few months also see the transit of walkers from the North Moselle, Dutch, German and English foreigners, inclined to stop after a walk or bike ride. From their chalets, everyone obviously makes the same observation. “When the weather is nice, there is work for everyone. When it’s ugly, it’s the same for everyone. »
To the merchants in the pedestrian center who complain of seeing their terraces siphoned off by the event now called Rive et coeur de ville en fête , Hervé gives another impression, in contact with tourists. “The banks are a springboard for the city centre. Those who stop there push all the way there, ”he assures.
And what are the most significant events of Rive et coeur de ville en fête, according to him? “The mini-tornado-like storm, where injuries were deplored, the Covid and the football world cups, with its atmosphere of madness and the world to bursting. »
Lack of activities for children
While the festivities will end on September 3, Hervé will continue to serve his customers until the end of the month. A “privilege” granted by the municipality to the boss of the Falcon, now subject to the tender procedure open to suitors wishing to take part in the summer event.
In the mind of the native of Thionville, there are always desires to renew the formula. With children as a priority. Like a return to the origins of Rive en fête.
“There is a lack of activities for the kids. Why not dismountable play structures to be placed in Napoleon Park, or an airy mini-centre where parents could temporarily drop off their little ones. A night market too! All that remains is to gather around the discussion table.
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