Bonjour, mes chéris! 🩰💕
Well, it's me, Emma, and I'm back, with another fabulous installment from Paris, the City of Lights, the city of couture, the city of love – and oh my goodness, the city that feels like one giant ballet studio! I am just brimming with excitement and can’t wait to share my latest Parisian adventures with you.
Remember those sparkly ballet shoes I got? They're practically singing with every hop, skip and twirl!
This week's post marks a big milestone - my very first trip to Paris by EuroStar. What a way to travel! You’ve got to feel the excitement in the air as you approach the Channel Tunnel. As if whisked away by a magical train to an enchanted realm of pastries and couture! Speaking of pastries… just wait until I tell you about my breakfast this morning at Café de la Paix!
But first, let's back up a little. As usual, my pink tutu got packed along, tucked lovingly in a travel bag adorned with little pink ballerinas. Yes, it gets more stares on the Eurostar than usual, but that's just the Parisian air of intrigue. I can't let myself be swayed. A girl's gotta make a statement! After all, it’s not a Parisian adventure without some whimsy. That said, let's be realistic; tutus do cause a few amused glances here and there! I am determined to see this sartorial dream to fruition; every day, another pink tutu!
This weekend is all about soaking in the French joie de vivre! Paris is where elegance and culture twirl together so effortlessly. This week is going to be crammed full of ballet shows, the glorious Parisian street performers, and some seriously incredible fashion finds. It's all for the blog of course, and to bring a little sprinkle of Parisian magic back to Derbyshire. Don’t even get me started on the fashion… I feel like every corner in Paris has an independent boutique waiting to be discovered. Oh, the temptation! But honestly, you can’t travel to Paris and not enjoy a little window shopping! It’s practically part of the city's charm.
Speaking of charming, my hotel room is absolute perfection – floral prints and delicate chandeliers, it's the perfect backdrop for some Instagram-worthy pictures! I'm going to be sharing so much with you over the next week. But don’t forget - if you're here for the first time, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but I'm here to guide you through. Let’s get our dance on!
Saturday, April 22nd - Bonjour from the Champs-Élysées!
We started the day with breakfast at Cafe de la Paix. It was so Parisienne – you know, chic little tables with linen tablecloths, pastries that were just works of art! You can't go wrong with the traditional Parisian breakfast! Think fresh bread with butter, flaky croissants and a café au lait. Oh, the creamy milkiness of the coffee... it was divine! It was just like one of those classic movies I love to watch, where they are sitting there chatting and catching up and everyone just looks effortlessly cool in their perfect French outfits! It was everything I had hoped it would be!
As the afternoon drifted in, I wandered around the Champs-Élysées! It’s a real scene, buzzing with life, all that energy! I wandered, mesmerized by the grand boutiques, like Dior, Cartier, Chanel…it was like a dream come true! I could have spent a whole day in here browsing through everything they had to offer! Even though it’s a famous tourist destination, I was still enthralled with the atmosphere.
Then came the real highlight - watching some Parisian street dancers! The Champs-Élysées was overflowing with life, colour and creativity! I found myself right in the midst of this street dance battle, mesmerized by the breakdancing and incredible hip hop moves! You know me; I've got my camera in hand, ready to capture these Parisian moments of pure creativity!
This was a great experience for my very first day here in Paris! What I truly loved was that even amongst the chaos of tourists, shopping and food vendors, there was an elegance to the energy in this part of Paris that you can’t find elsewhere in the world! I truly believe that the Champs-Élysées is the heart and soul of Paris!
Sunday, April 23rd - Exploring Montmartre, Sacré-Coeur, and Discovering Secret Gardens!
There are certain places on your Paris bucket list, and Montmartre has been on mine for years. That artistic energy – there's a magic that just draws you in! I think every artist, at some point in their career, dreams of moving to Paris and especially this neighbourhood.
The moment I stepped out of the Metro station, the streets vibrated with life. It was like a wonderland of art and life; I felt a surge of creativity just by taking it all in. Art was truly everywhere – I even caught a group of people busking, using instruments made from everyday objects! So impressive!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Montmartre without climbing to the summit of the Sacré-Coeur. It was definitely worth the effort! The view of Paris from up there is stunning.
As the afternoon sun cast its warm glow on the city, I stumbled across the cutest little garden in the heart of Montmartre – Jardin Renoir! Hidden amidst the winding cobbled streets, it was a tiny paradise overflowing with blooming flowers and lush greenery.
Monday, April 24th - A Grand Entrance at the Palais Garnier, a Vision of Choreography and Colour.
Okay, guys, let me tell you – today was truly a day of opulent ballet glory!
This is the kind of day you dream about as a ballerina! The Palais Garnier, the very opera house that inspired that famous novel, "Phantom of the Opera." Imagine this: majestic golden interiors, intricate carvings, breathtakingly ornate, and so many, many, tiers! It was magnificent! As soon as I stepped inside, I felt the magic – a blend of ballet history and contemporary design. I could imagine the iconic performance by legendary ballerinas of the past. It gave me shivers down my spine!
And the show itself… it was a symphony of artistry and technical brilliance! I had butterflies in my stomach from the moment the curtains rose until they fell. I had seen performances online, but seeing a live performance was even better – you could see every flicker of emotion in their faces, the intensity in their movements, you really get a feel for how incredibly athletic this form of dance really is.
I made sure to stop by the costume design department, the heart and soul of this magnificent theater! The beautiful costumes; their grandeur, colour, and intricate detailing left me absolutely speechless! You know how much I love fashion!
Tuesday, April 25th - Fashion Fiesta and Parisian Flair!
If Paris has one superpower, it's its power to make even the simplest things feel glamorous. A simple cup of coffee can become an event.
Today's Parisian exploration took me to Le Marais, where fashion boutiques mingle with hidden antique shops. Imagine a cobbled street brimming with independent designers. The smell of leather goods and the sound of laughter – the magic was palpable! It was just an intoxicating blend of chic, history, and pure Paris!
I couldn’t leave Paris without snagging a few new fashion items for the Pink Tutu collection! And let's face it, I always go a little overboard when I'm in Paris. (And yes, of course, a beautiful pink satin scarf with embroidered ballerinas went straight into my shopping bag). It's just irresistible!
The evening brought with it the delight of the iconic French cabaret show at Moulin Rouge. I had dreamt of seeing this since I was a little girl! The setting was absolutely mesmerising! This truly felt like the ultimate glamorous Parisian evening. The stage with its bright lights and dancers, the red mill backdrop. It's hard to believe that I actually experienced it in person!
Wednesday, April 26th - Finding Harmony and Soulfulness in the City of Light
After several days of high energy, Parisian exploration, it felt amazing to simply wander through the Tuileries Garden, letting the serenity of the French countryside seep in. I could almost feel myself getting caught up in a story about love and ballet that would make a beautiful picture. The atmosphere was almost unreal; I could see myself here, with the wind tousling my pink tutu!
Of course, my afternoon ended with a ballet class. There's a certain energy to being part of a community that you simply can't replicate! There was a sense of unity from the first "chassé" we danced, an almost shared sense of passion and determination to express ourselves with movement and artistry. We were truly connected in the spirit of the artform!
It was the perfect ending to my trip to Paris – one that left me feeling creatively renewed and more passionate than ever about my love of the dance.
Thursday, April 27th - Saying "Au revoir" and Promising to Return!
Well, guys, I’ve got to confess that it’s never easy leaving Paris. I find myself saying "Au revoir" a little slower, a little more reluctantly than usual, because I already can’t wait to come back.
I spent my final few hours of this whirlwind of Parisian beauty browsing the quaint little bookstores tucked away in the charming Montmartre district. One can never have too many ballet-themed books. These moments are where you can truly delve into a city’s soul and soak up a sense of history, and Parisian bookshops definitely do that!
There is no other city that could spark so much joy, inspiration and the desire to go to a ballet show than Paris! It truly lives up to the reputation of being a City of Lights; it feels like the ultimate place to explore the most magnificent art form there is, the one that inspired my life and my dreams!
As always, you can catch up with me on the pink-tutu.com website. See you next Saturday! Au revoir mes chéris, et merci pour la danse! 🩰 💕
