#PinkTutuBlogParis - Saturday 2010-01-09 Exploring Paris

Hello my gorgeous little ballerinas! Emma here, reporting live from Paris.

I just had to pinch myself to make sure this wasn’t a dream, because - guess what?! – I’m in Paris!

I’ve finally made it to the City of Lights! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. And in true Emma fashion, I’ve even brought a selection of pink tutus with me! Yes, it’s the only way to really see Paris, don't you agree?! 😉

Getting to Paris was a dream, though! I just had to take the Eurostar. Such an amazing way to travel. It was so easy, fast and efficient! It felt like stepping into another world. You've no doubt seen pictures of these trains and the little cafe carriages - oh my, it’s just heavenly! The ride whizzed past in a blur and suddenly… I was in Paris! It's magic.

My Parisian adventures started immediately - of course! After arriving in Gare du Nord, it was off to see what delights this beautiful city had to offer. I know I should have stuck to a strict itinerary – and you all know I’m an expert when it comes to planning - but hey, we’re talking Paris! There’s just so much to see, so many hidden treasures!

First up, Le Marais, this fabulous quarter is full of chic boutiques, darling little patisseries, and oh, the bakeries, simply divine. There’s also some real historical treasures. Can you imagine what those old cobbled streets must have seen! I did pick up some very, very lovely scarves in silk and cotton - I mean, how can you go to Paris and not treat yourself to a new scarf? They are, as my gran always said, “an essential for any ballerina”!

From Le Marais, I walked past the Place des Vosges – such an enchanting square. The trees and the classical architecture make you feel like you're stepping into a painting. Then, on to the iconic Arc de Triomphe!. It’s definitely one of those “must-see” sights in Paris. The views from the top are incredible – you can see everything! As if those views weren’t magical enough, I even caught a glimpse of a breathtaking Parisian sunset, all in shades of pinks, purples, and orange, the colours just melted into each other. Pure beauty! A moment to capture and treasure!

And did you know, this magnificent structure is dedicated to the memory of French soldiers who died in wars for France! I am not usually the patriotic sort, but this monument was something special, very inspiring and I was definitely thinking of those that have lost their lives protecting their country, it made me very grateful for my safe travels.

My next stop? Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower! This is one of those iconic structures everyone has seen on television or in photographs. But you know, photos never truly do this building justice! It is huge! And elegant! The most gorgeous design I’ve ever seen. It’s just the right mixture of bold and delicate.

I must admit, I’m completely infatuated with all things Paris – it’s just got this magic about it. From the charming bakeries to the intricate buildings and cobblestone streets…it’s the most perfect setting to wander around, lost in a fairytale!

Today was all about embracing the ballet world in the City of Lights. What better place for a ballet aficionado like me! Paris is full of wonderful venues and ballet studios, not to mention all the exciting shows going on. It’s like a ballerina's paradise!

First up, the Palais Garnier! - what a building - a pure fairytale with opulence everywhere you look! You know, this building was the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera, I couldn't resist, even though it’s completely fictional. A ballerina needs a little bit of theatricality and intrigue, and oh my goodness, that staircase with the cascading stairs is fit for a fairytale!

I took the guided tour which gave me a peek into the backstage of this beautiful place. The theatre had a certain energy – you could imagine those ballerinas flitting across the stage as if it was alive with stories. I even imagined a phantom hiding in the shadows and …well, maybe I have been reading too many novels, lol.

In the afternoon, I found this adorable little ballet studio in the Marais district - Le Studio Danse, it was tucked away in a cobbled alley. The place just exuded grace and warmth, and the most wonderful aroma - there is a distinct scent to any true ballet studio, a mixture of sweat and fresh wooden floors – but you know I like it!

I put on my pink tutu – even in a studio! I just can’t help myself! You know me - never shy to stand out and share a bit of pink magic.

This lovely class, well it was just amazing. A wonderful sense of camaraderie among all the students. Such friendly and encouraging atmosphere! They even showed me some amazing moves and techniques, even if I found them very hard work – haha. But this is part of the fun.

The day concluded with an exquisite ballet performance at the Salle Pleyel. They had an amazing program of works by Stravinsky and Debussy – beautiful choreography. The show had me transported into a world of pure magic, of dreams and fantasies. It reminded me that ballets are always so much more than just graceful movements; they are emotions. They make me feel like I am flying, as I feel the feelings and passions on the stage.

After the ballet, I indulged in some delicious French pastries at a delightful café on a side street. It was a charming little place – and the atmosphere was so relaxing.

Paris really is all about moments like this! Savor the moments. Eat. Drink. Watch ballet!

After two incredible days in the French capital, I’m feeling pretty Parisian! You see, one thing you notice about Parisian style – it's effortless, chic, yet fun! And what else goes with the city of lights other than pink?! I took on the challenge to dress to the Parisian theme. It is so much fun and all those Parisian ladies and gentlemen were certainly dressed to impress!

For today, my outfit was a fabulous rose pink vintage dress. The kind of dress I can always pull off - so versatile! The light, ethereal fabrics and feminine touch, I felt like a ballerina in the streets. To top it all off, of course, it wouldn't be me if I wasn't in my signature pink tutu. I'm definitely feeling the Parisian vibes, don’t you think? I must confess it feels good to be a little extravagant! It really gets people staring at me in a very admiring way… maybe, just maybe, I’m making some converts to the pink tutu fashion statement!

This morning, I made a detour through the Latin Quarter to the Panthéon – this incredible building is a real symbol of the city, I don’t mean a modern icon like the Eiffel Tower, it has this real historical feel to it. Inside you've got the graves of those big French names like Victor Hugo and Voltaire… quite inspiring. A very dignified monument!

It was then off to the Musée d’Orsay, the famous home to the Impressionists, And you guys… these paintings were amazing! You really feel like you are looking out onto these picturesque cityscapes – truly breathtaking! Oh, and I have to share the best news, my favourite Impressionist, Renoir, his painting ‘La Loge' was on display - now, how often do you get a chance to see such an iconic painting in real life, in this beautiful Parisian gallery! And I could see why the paintings were so famous – the techniques and the way they made the city seem so romantic… I got a little lost in it all…

But, there was something missing from the Impressionist’s work, though…. I thought about it carefully…there wasn’t a pink tutu to be seen… 😉 I’m sure these guys, Van Gogh and Monet and all those others would have loved to see a bright pink tutu to really add some extra zest and fun to those French cities!

From there, a leisurely stroll across the Seine. It was just like stepping onto the canvas of Monet, just pure poetry!

In the evening, after indulging in some authentic French cheese and wine at the Les Halles - it really felt like going back in time and meeting all those amazing Parisian vendors! - I went to catch a play in the Latin Quarter. I caught this amazing performance – it was all in French, but you don’t need to understand the language, the actors' emotions and expressions make everything clear.

What can I say? Paris is the place where dreams really come alive! Every turn, every sight, makes me smile and fills me with wonder. There’s always so much going on. It’s not just about the beautiful landmarks, it’s the spirit, the elegance and chic and the romanticism of it all.

This Paris adventure really feels like a perfect symphony for the senses, and I am totally feeling like a princess on a royal holiday… and who knows, maybe my mission to turn the world pink, tutu-by-tutu is working after all! You never know.

So until next week, stay chic and glamorous my lovely ballerinas. Don’t forget, life is too short for dull tutus! 😉

Yours in pink, Emma