Bonjour, mes chĂšres amies! It's Saturday, and that means it's time for a new Pink Tutu Blog Paris post. This week, I'm writing to you from the heart of Paris, the most romantic city in the world. I arrived last night after a swish-swish journey on the Eurostar, feeling like a proper Parisian princess. Oh, how I love the excitement of train travel â I always get so giddy seeing the countryside speed by, it's just like a mini ballet!
You know how much I love the magic of the stage, and my ballet performances are what fund my amazing travels! Right now, Iâm touring with the fabulous 'Flying Ballerinas of Derbyshire' (did I mention I'm from Derbyshire?!). But this week, Iâve had a little break and have come to Paris to explore all the wonders it has to offer. I've been longing to come back ever since I visited as a little girl. It was so romantic â I even wore my pink tutu everywhere, though perhaps that was more endearing then than it is now, but oh well, Iâve certainly come a long way in my tutu-wearing journey!
So, let's dive into my Parisian adventure, shall we?
First of all, today is the 14th of December, 2002, and I woke up feeling absolutely full of joie de vivre. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and everything just feels a little bit more glamorous in this city! I even saw a horse-drawn carriage earlier â talk about a Parisian fairytale! (I have a sneaking suspicion I may try to persuade a carriage driver to let me take a spin around the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es.)
First stop: Shopping on the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es!
No Parisian trip would be complete without a shopping spree on the famous Champs-ĂlysĂ©es, and let's be honest, a little retail therapy is exactly what I needed after all those hours on the Eurostar. The window displays were a sight for sore eyes, darling, I am a sucker for a dazzling array of furs and feathers. There were so many adorable hats, I practically wanted to take them all home â in pink, of course. And letâs not forget the fabulous boutiques! I saw the most exquisite ballet shoes â pink, of course! â in a tiny shop near the Arc de Triomphe, and of course, I simply had to purchase them. Now my feet can dance the Parisian pavements in style.
Next up: The Palais Garnier, the most beautiful theatre I've ever seen!
Speaking of ballet shoes, there's no better place to appreciate them than at the Palais Garnier, Parisâs famed opera house, a place brimming with majestic history and breathtaking opulence. Itâs also home to the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the worldâs most famous ballet companies! Oh, I have a dream to perform here one day⊠daydreams in a pink tutu. I must admit, it feels a little bit surreal walking through these hallowed halls. Just picture me: a tiny pink-clad ballerina floating amongst the ornate gilded details and opulent chandeliers. Talk about a ballet fantasy come to life!
A little history: Marie Taglioni
While at the Palais Garnier, I made sure to catch a ballet performance. Of course, nothing could compare to actually performing on the Garnier stage, but watching talented dancers interpreting stories through movement is pure magic! The energy here is phenomenal â almost impossible to explain, it just has to be experienced. Speaking of phenomenal ballet stories, I had to learn a little more about the ballerina who actually inspired my pink tutu obsession â Marie Taglioni! In 1832, she was performing a ballet piece called âLa Sylphideâ in the Palais Garnier. For the performance, she abandoned the stiff, cumbersome footwear of the day, replacing them with wispy ballet slippers and flowing skirts. The reaction to this unconventional move was, letâs say, earth shattering. People couldn't get enough of the lightness, beauty, and delicacy that these elements allowed her to achieve! Now, how amazing is that? In her time, this move was so scandalous! Marie changed ballet, changed fashion and changed how we, well, I should say how I perceive fashion. Think of me, here at the Palais Garnier in a pink tutu â and imagine a pink-tutu wearing Marie Taglioni performing the La Sylphide back in 1832!
Lunch time! Le Petit Parisien
Paris is just bursting with so many fantastic cafes and restaurants! I found this sweet little spot near the Palais Garnier, a little bistro called âLe Petit Parisien.â It served delicious croque monsieur and the most incredible crĂȘpes I've ever tasted. They were so thin and light, it felt like I was actually biting into a Parisian dream.
Taking in the architecture: Notre Dame
Later in the day, I found myself wandering through the charming streets of the Latin Quarter towards Notre Dame Cathedral. Its incredible gothic architecture just stops you in your tracks â itâs majestic! It truly captures the essence of this ancient city. Every corner was a story waiting to be uncovered! I found myself mesmerised by the intricately carved gargoyles guarding the roof and the beautiful stained glass windows casting kaleidoscopes of colour into the vast space. And what would a Parisian escapade be without a little photo op by the Seine? I must confess I twirled with great glee by the river's edge!
My evening ballet fix
Of course, the real reason I came to Paris was the magic of the Parisian ballet! The evening began with the most decadent dinner at a little restaurant close to the Palais Garnier, because, oh darling, this ballerina had to indulge in the Parisian experience! To be perfectly honest, it took forever for the food to arrive, and by the time the snails and escargots were on the table I was positively bouncing. (Letâs face it â my dancing feet couldnât be still! Theyâre ready to leap on to that Garnier stage and do their thing, and not be twirling by the River Seine!) It seems snails arenât as exciting as a Parisian ballet â even escargot. After a (much) needed cup of French coffee to pep me up, it was off to see a spectacular ballet show at the ThĂ©Ăątre du ChĂątelet. The Parisian audience was in a total trance; they were captivated by the incredible storytelling, athleticism, and artistry of the performance. And I have to tell you â I felt totally transported back to Derbyshire where I was back in my usual theatre-hopping dancing mode! It's those nights that truly inspire me! I just can't get enough! It fills me with a kind of magic.
Of course, there was plenty of opportunity for me to try out some of the amazing French cheeses while I was in Paris - all that dairy goodness must keep those dancers' feet moving, you know? You simply have to try them in Paris â the taste is different and somehow makes the cheesy heaveniness that much more delicious.
Coming soon: The Eiffel Tower!
Iâve still got so much to see and do here in Paris! But it's time to say 'Au revoir' for this week! Next Saturday, Iâll be taking you along for the ride as I discover the romance of the Eiffel Tower. I think itâll be a perfect chance for some photos in my tutu, right? You just canât go to Paris and not put a tutu on at the Eiffel Tower! Oh darling, imagine how spectacular thatâs going to be. Just wait until next week, Iâll have it all planned, including some pink photos from atop the Eiffel Tower. But for now, I'll leave you with the magic of the city lingering in the air. Donât forget to catch next Saturdayâs Pink Tutu Paris Blog, darling! It will be so, so wonderful⊠Just wait and see! Au revoir! đ
