Bonjour, mes chéries! It's Saturday, and you know what that means... time for a new Pink Tutu blog post! I'm writing to you from the City of Lights itself, Paris! Oh, I've dreamt of this moment for years. The cobblestone streets, the scent of pastries in every boulangerie, the romantic, historic architecture... and of course, the chic, fashionable people. And let me tell you, Paris doesn't disappoint!
This week has been an absolute whirlwind of tulle, tiaras and triumphs. My travels started back in good old Derbyshire, where I'd just finished another fabulous ballet performance, and it was so wonderful to be surrounded by the warmth of the audience, feeling their energy as I pirouetted across the stage. That applause was the perfect fuel for my Parisian adventure.
My journey was on the Eurostar, a journey I’ve been taking since I was a little girl, first with my mum, then solo. I’ve got to say, the Eurostar never ceases to amaze. A superfast, comfy, luxurious train journey through the Channel Tunnel… what's not to love?! As I settled into my plush seat, I gazed out of the window, watching the English countryside fade into the French landscape. I couldn’t help but smile, this truly was my time to shine. I'm such a firm believer in travel by train. I feel a little more grounded, you know? I have time to look out the window, daydream, maybe do a bit of ballet stretching in the aisle (very carefully, of course!), and arrive at my destination relaxed and ready for anything.
The minute I arrived at Gare du Nord, I was struck by the vibrancy and energy. It’s a beautiful old station with its grandeur and architecture, but it’s buzzing with life - people heading off on holidays, commuters rushing to their offices, the bustle and chatter, the friendly "bonjour!"s – it's a sensory overload in the best possible way! I almost expected a romantic Parisian gentleman to hand me a single red rose (that's not just from the movies, you know!).
After my first Parisian latte and a quick, chic croissant, I went straight to the Opéra Garnier. Now, this is a theatre that takes your breath away, a masterpiece of architecture. I just love its grandness and lavishness - a true testament to art, architecture, and the performing arts. I can practically hear the swirling music from the ballet productions in its walls - so inspiring!
This being my first full day in Paris, I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to treat myself to a luxurious shopping spree at the Champs-Élysées. It was simply spectacular. It's just such a special experience to walk up and down those iconic boulevards and pop into the boutiques, the luxury and design is absolutely breathtaking. There's something for everyone and everything, and although my Parisian purse wasn’t entirely bottomless, it had a definite blush pink lining to match my outfit, so I treated myself to a very pretty floral pink top and some sparkling diamante ballet flats – just perfect for a weekend in Paris! And, yes, I wore a pink tutu - but more about that later…
My Saturday is definitely designed around seeing as much as possible. And there is SO much to see in Paris - beautiful churches, grand avenues, charming hidden courtyards, museums, gardens... Everything is within walking distance or, better still, cycling distance! I grabbed a chic Parisian bike from Vélib, one of those smart rental schemes with little self-service terminals. My day was all about exploring and experiencing. I rode by the Eiffel Tower (absolutely amazing - no matter how many photos you’ve seen!), down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, popped into Notre Dame, stopping to watch street performers in Place du Tertre. I even ended up having dinner under the Parisian sky on the terrace of a café - the perfect way to end the day. I took notes for a possible Paris travel guide for Pink Tutu followers (so that you can all live the pink tutu lifestyle) but you’ll have to wait for that one…
However, on the way back to my little Parisian studio flat, which is just perfect – tiny but so chic and cosy with a beautiful wrought iron balcony looking onto a cute Parisian square (all in pink and blue!) I suddenly had the urge to go to a Parisian ballet studio for a dance lesson, just to feel the music and movements under my feet! My pink tutu had to do a pirouette and I didn’t have any choice but to grab my ballet shoes and head to a nearby studio. I’m learning a new step called the pas de bourrée and, my goodness, it’s pretty tricky! I definitely needed more lessons in my life - oh, and lots more practice! But so worth it!
Sunday brought a whole new perspective on this stunning city. It felt calmer, more peaceful. The tourists were out, strolling, looking relaxed and happy, I enjoyed browsing vintage shops for vintage pink tutu’s to take back to England with me! I picked up a pair of beautiful old silk ballet shoes and an adorable silk pink ballet tutu – both from a little antique store nestled behind Notre Dame Cathedral – which is well worth a visit! There are cobblestone squares to wander, galleries to explore, delicious bakeries for those yummy croissants and cafés to relax and people watch. Oh, and did I mention, the amazing patisseries filled with incredible chocolate creations, colourful macarons, and all sorts of beautiful pastries? There were so many cakes in every flavour, I’m starting to think that maybe my travel budget for this trip will need to include more calories than planned!
On Sunday night, it was all about the spectacle, the wonder, the magic of a theatre show at the Moulin Rouge. Now, if there’s anything more glamorous than the Moulin Rouge, I’ve yet to discover it. As I slipped into the dark, inviting velvet seats, anticipation was palpable. My pink tutu was a little less pink (I’d left it back in my studio) and a lot less bright because of the low lighting, but even so, it’s still a standout. A pink tutu always makes you feel more sparkly! The dancers were sensational, the show a riot of colour and music, dazzling lights and feathered costumes. My feet didn't stop tapping, and my head couldn’t stop swirling! There's something about those grand theatre shows that takes your breath away and truly reminds you of the beauty and artistry of the world. There were certainly some daring moves (but very sophisticated), which reminded me of the skills it takes to create and be a professional ballet dancer, and reminded me to keep practicing and learning more steps! The applause went on for ages and it was infectious – so very thrilling.
And that brings us back to this Saturday, and a whole new day to explore the city. As I sat in my tiny Parisian café (with a little, perfect pink and white polka dot chair - it’s only a pink tutu thing!) overlooking the cobbled streets and wrote this blog post for all of you, my love for Paris, for ballet and all things pink felt even stronger. And for the rest of the week, my agenda is simple. More ballet performances, more exploring the city, more café life, more gorgeous Parisian shops and more memories to be made in a place that truly has it all.
It may seem crazy to wear a pink tutu everywhere, but for me, it’s a reminder to always be a little different, to embrace my individuality, and to dance through life with joy and confidence. I always feel more confident, bolder, braver wearing a tutu and it definitely adds a little extra something, don’t you think? And honestly, I do think wearing a pink tutu could change the world. Why don’t we try it, mes chéries?
If you have any questions about visiting Paris or wearing a pink tutu everywhere, leave me a comment on Pink Tutu Blog – I would love to hear from you!
Stay fabulous!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
