Bonjour mes chéries!
It’s Emma here, reporting live from the City of Lights! And by lights, I mean sparkling Parisian boutiques and the glistening stage of the Opéra Garnier! I’m in Paris for a whirlwind tour of the best ballet this city has to offer, and I'm wearing my very favourite tutu, which I got for a steal in a vintage shop in Covent Garden last month – a delicate, floaty thing with the most stunning hand-painted pink roses and a hint of vintage gold. Just picture it: a whirlwind of pink tulle and Parisian charm!
The moment I arrived, I was swept up in the Parisian magic. The air buzzes with creativity, and even the pigeons seem to be wearing beret-shaped hats! But for me, Paris is truly about ballet. I've been a ballet dancer my whole life - right back to Derbyshire, where I used to prance around the living room in my mum’s old tutus, dreaming of becoming a prima ballerina. This city is truly the heart of ballet, so this trip was a must-do on my bucket list.
Of course, I started with a visit to the Opera Garnier – a spectacular monument to beauty, with opulent decorations, and enough gilded detail to make your eyes sparkle like a diamond tiara. It’s actually the third opera house to have stood on this site, dating back to 1673! They even have a phantom lurking about, which is a nice touch – very mysterious. The ballet show I attended was phenomenal. From the sweeping, emotional performance to the exquisite costumes and the exquisite soundtrack – the whole performance transported me to another world, a world of artistry and grace.
Then I headed to the Musée Rodin, an open-air museum where you can marvel at the works of this legendary sculptor. This is a little-known secret spot amongst the artistic masses who come to Paris, but the atmosphere here is like stepping back in time – peaceful, inspiring and full of beauty. I’m not ashamed to admit I did have a little twirl under Rodin's iconic "Thinker," just to add a little Parisian ballet flair to my day!
In the evening, I found myself walking the beautiful Champs-Élysées – what a feast for the senses, so stylish and sophisticated! I paused at a charming café, taking in the bustling life of the Parisian street, and enjoying a perfect pot of Parisian coffee and a flaky croissant. Of course, I had to indulge in a bit of Parisian retail therapy, stumbling across the most wonderful little vintage store hidden down a quiet cobbled street. I found myself the perfect Parisian hat, all elegant feathers and French charm, and, of course, a little black lace tutu for the ultimate in chic.
Oh, and did I tell you about my encounter with a squirrel? It was so small and fluffy, perched on a branch like a tiny ballet dancer doing a beautiful arabesque, its eyes sparkling in the midday sun. Paris, you’ve stolen my heart!
So, to recap – Paris, where ballet is art, where history whispers in every cobblestone, and where a dash of French charm turns everyday into a theatrical performance. It truly is the most magical place on Earth! And even though I'm back in the UK now, my trip has inspired me to try a new Parisian-inspired tutu for the ballet class I attend back home. Who knows, I might even find a few Parisian inspired hats and scarves to complete the look.
And that brings me to the most important question of all: have you ever danced in a pink tutu?
Until next time, my darling tutus,
Emma
(Remember to check out my website at www.pink-tutu.com for daily updates, including my new tutorial on how to create the perfect ballet bun! )
