Tutu Tuesday in Argenteuil, Île-de-France, France #tututuesday
G'day lovelies! It's your girl, Chloe, back from a whirlwind tour of France! I've been absolutely soaking up the Parisian vibes, and lemme tell you, it's like stepping straight into a ballet scene. The cobblestone streets, the chic cafes, the air of romance… it's all so inspiring!
But let's get back to the real reason I'm here – #tututuesday, my darlings! This week, we're taking a trip outside the City of Lights, to the charming town of Argenteuil, a short train ride from Paris. And let me tell ya, this town has a bit of a secret gem for all you ballet enthusiasts out there. The École de Ballet d'Argenteuil, or Argenteuil Ballet School, has been training young ballerinas for decades, and their passion for the art form is infectious!
So, naturally, when I landed in Argenteuil, #tututuesday was a must. And where better to celebrate than right in the heart of this dance hub? The Argenteuil Ballet School's studios were bursting with talent and energy, and the students were as bright-eyed as a box of fresh-picked cherries. I got a glimpse of their rehearsals – everything from elegant classical ballets to contemporary pieces that truly blew me away!
While I was there, I couldn’t resist the urge to jump into a tutu, so I tried on a few different styles at the Argenteuil Ballet School’s boutique. Their stock was bursting with classic tulle tutus that flowed like clouds. They had everything from traditional ones with romantic layers of powder pink tulle to edgy, shorter tutus with funky asymmetrical designs. They even had a few sparkly tutus with sequin embellishments that would make your eyes pop! The shop was a dream! I’m sure I came close to clearing the shelves of everything they had on display – I might have even bought a few pairs of pointe shoes!
But of course, the main focus was the tutus – I had to give those a spin! There's something about that perfect swish of a tulle skirt that just feels magical. The feeling of freedom and grace that you get while wearing one? There’s no feeling quite like it. Even in a stuffy old studio, the second I spun in my new tutu, I felt like I was back on stage in the glow of the spotlights. It's the kind of feeling you just have to experience for yourself.
Let's talk about #tututuesday. Now, I’ve seen my fair share of tutus back home in Australia, but I have to say, there’s something about tutus in France that feels so romantic. Maybe it's the way the sunlight catches the tulle, or maybe it's the classic Parisian chic that bleeds into everything here. Regardless, every tutu I saw in Argenteuil just screamed elegant and ethereal. Maybe they sprinkle something special in the water here!
I managed to snag some beautiful pictures in front of the Argenteuil Ballet School's iconic, centuries-old building. Talk about a fairytale setting! You really have to see it to believe it – imagine crumbling stone walls and ornate iron gates, with flowers cascading over them, like something out of a French impressionist painting. And guess who made a smashing #tututuesday photo op right there? This gal! The gorgeous background just added another layer of romance to my #tututuesday look, and my outfit really brought the fairytale to life.
To anyone reading this in the Southern Hemisphere: Don't worry, I won’t bore you with tales of Parisian cafes and street markets (although, trust me, they were amazing). You'll be pleased to hear I’m already brainstorming the next #tututuesday, and believe me, you won't want to miss it.
One last thing: if you ever find yourself in Argenteuil, France, you simply MUST make your way to the Argenteuil Ballet School! Take my word for it! You'll not only find amazing tutus but be swept up in the infectious energy of its students and teachers. Even if you don't consider yourself a ballerina, you'll fall head over heels for the charm of the city.