Well hello my darling readers, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Blog Paris! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, and today I'm bringing you the magic of the City of Lights! It's Saturday, 25th November 2023, and this week has been an absolute whirlwind of fashion, ballet, and French flair!
Remember my little mantra? Get everyone to wear a pink tutu? Well, darling, Paris is truly the perfect place to make that dream a reality! Let me tell you, from the moment the EuroStar pulled into Gare du Nord, it was a symphony of chicness! Parisians just have this undeniable air of effortless elegance, and it was utterly inspiring.
The minute I set foot in the city, my little pink heart went "tick-tock" - so much pink! Now, I know, I know, you think pink is just for girls. But I tell you what, darling, once you see the pink hues painting the facades of Parisian buildings, the pink velvet chairs at cafes, the pink pastries in bakeries... You'll be saying "Pink is the colour of life" in a French accent!
The Parisian Ballet Buzz
Now, no trip to Paris would be complete without a dose of world-class ballet, would it? My heart fluttered with excitement when I stepped into the opulent Palais Garnier, the stunning home of the Paris Opera Ballet. It's a spectacle just in itself! I'm not going to lie, I gasped a little at the grandeur of the building. Imagine gilded interiors, dazzling chandeliers, and velvet seats the colour of sunset. Just magical!
The ballet I saw this week was an absolute masterpiece. My, my, my, they had us on the edge of our seats. It's something you truly have to experience. Even if you think you're not a "ballet person," trust me, darling, there's something about a graceful ballerina twirling under those incredible chandeliers that gets everyone swept up in the magic.
Fashion Finds at The Palais Royal
Of course, darling, a shopping expedition was simply unavoidable! The Palais Royal, right behind the Opera Garnier, was my first stop. Oh my word! There were designer boutiques with window displays that could give you a serious case of sartorial envy. Imagine this: shoes in the most incredible shades of pink (obvs), vintage silk scarves whispering of glamorous soirées, and handmade hats that were like little works of art!
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Oh, Emma, that's too much for a small-town girl from Derbyshire," but that's exactly why we travel, isn't it? To experience the unexpected, to push our comfort zones, to find something that makes our hearts sing. And darling, let me tell you, finding a pink feather boa the length of a boa constrictor in a tucked-away antique shop at the Palais Royal did exactly that. Now that, my darlings, is what you call "travel treasure!"
Street Performers & Pink Dreams
I've never seen so many street performers in one place! You've got buskers on every corner with their accordions, violins, guitars. Then there are mimes in their classic black and white outfits, street artists creating masterpieces in chalk, even breakdancers throwing some seriously impressive moves! The Parisian streets, especially around the Louvre, are buzzing with life and energy, with performers who are putting their hearts and souls into their art.
Of course, my favourite were the little ballet street performances I found tucked away in the Latin Quarter! It was a bit like watching my childhood ballet dreams come alive. There was this charming troupe of little ballerinas dressed in white tutus and pink leotards performing to music in the open air, their leaps and turns defying gravity! They reminded me of why I fell in love with ballet in the first place!
Dining With Flair - From Crêpes to Macarons
Ah, darling, Paris truly is a foodie's paradise! Every corner you turn, you'll find cafes spilling onto the cobblestones, patisseries displaying decadent treats, and charcuterie shops bursting with savory delights.
Naturally, I couldn't leave Paris without indulging in a quintessential Parisian treat: crêpes! Now, darling, you've never tasted anything like them. So perfectly thin, with fillings that range from classic Nutella and bananas to something as extraordinary as smoked salmon and cream cheese! Every bite was an absolute joy, and the smell of hot butter wafting from the street vendors, oh, I could practically inhale it!
And let's not forget the macarons! Those colourful little jewels of confectionery. The Parisian macarons are an art form all on their own, aren't they? You see them on every shop window, beautifully arranged in boxes and bursting with a rainbow of colours! The crunch of the sugar shell and the sweet explosion of flavours inside? Honestly, I'm lost for words!
From Notre Dame to Montmartre
I spent a whole afternoon wandering through the cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter, the charm and history of this part of Paris just captivates me. It's like stepping back in time, with medieval architecture, cobbled streets lined with charming shops, cafes that feel like stepping into a book, and a history that lingers on every corner!
From the soaring towers of Notre Dame Cathedral to the bustling market at Place des Vosges, this historic area really encapsulates what makes Paris so special. And then there was the majestic Luxembourg Gardens - oh, I could have spent all day just sitting under the trees, people watching, watching the children playing, taking in the sights and the smells and the ambiance of it all!
And of course, darling, no trip to Paris would be complete without a visit to Montmartre, the heart of artistic Paris! Climbing up the winding streets and seeing the artists at work was so inspiring, and of course I had to pose for a portrait by one of the talented artists in the famous Square Place du Tertre. Just look at the photos I got, pure art!
Embracing Parisian Charm
Darling, if there is one thing I've learned during my stay in Paris, it's that it is the city that embodies romance, artistry, and joie de vivre.
So my little darlings, do you ever feel like getting everyone to wear a pink tutu is a hopeless ambition? Well, walking through Paris, with the Seine River reflecting the evening sky, and the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the distance, with the romantic Parisian tunes playing on every corner, I have to say that a tiny part of me hopes my little Pink Tutu movement will find its way into the heart of this amazing city one day!
You know I love you darlings! Au revoir!
Emma, signing off from #PinkTutuBlogParis
Remember to check out my other Paris posts at www.pink-tutu.com - you never know what you might find in my little pink corner of the world! I promise to be back next Saturday with more Parisian fun, fashion and pink!
P.S. You can follow me on Insta @PinkTutuBlog too!
