Tutu Tuesday in Villejuif, Île-de-France, France #tututuesday
G'day, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's your girl, Maddie, back from the City of Lights, where I'm currently living out my ballerina dreams – and exploring every corner of this fashion-forward city! This week, I ventured to the charming suburb of Villejuif, Île-de-France.
Now, Villejuif might not be the first name that pops up when you think of Parisian chic, but it has its own hidden gems, including the renowned Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Danse de l'Île-de-France! Yep, that's right, a dedicated ballet school! Talk about a haven for dancers! Villejuif is a beautiful spot with plenty of little pockets of green space – perfect for stretching, a ballet warm-up or a picturesque pic for my gram!
It wouldn't be a true Tutu Tuesday without a fab outfit, right? For my Villejuif venture, I chose a classic but striking powder blue tutu. A true timeless style! The delicate fabric with the airy layers is perfect for showing off graceful moves, whether I'm pirouetteing on the cobbled streets or practicing grand jetés at the ballet school. I paired it with a simple white crop top – you can't go wrong with a timeless pairing! My trusty black ballet shoes, of course, rounded out the look. Oh, and don't forget the signature red lipstick – gotta channel that French flair!
As I strolled around Villejuif, I found some inspiration for tutu styling and for the blog. A couple of highlights? I stumbled across a beautiful bookstore with an excellent selection of books about ballet history and dance technique. And if there’s one thing I know as a dancer, you never stop learning. The shop owner was absolutely delightful and we chatted about everything from contemporary dance trends in France to my favourite ballerinas, like the phenomenal Marie-Agnès Gillot. She also told me that she's a massive fan of The Australian Ballet – now who knew we were such a big deal overseas?
Villejuif surprised me with the variety of cultural offerings – from the modern art museum, Le Centre d’art Contemporain, to the historical Église Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, which houses stunning stained glass windows and a peaceful inner courtyard. A perfect spot for an introspective moment or a quiet dance session, although the pigeons weren't very interested in my 'en pointe' moments!
But, speaking of my pointe shoes – gotta be mindful about my dance-friendly footwear here! My ‘en pointe’ journey has led me to so many gorgeous and sometimes slightly kooky spots – from a park to the city, but definitely not the subway! Those shoes can be a real killer, especially with the cobblestones. You can tell a lot about a city by its pavements and streets!
I am officially loving this ballet adventure – from Paris' iconic ballet theatres like the Palais Garnier to discovering smaller, less well-known, but equally exciting, spots like Villejuif. Villejuif, I'll be back, that’s for sure! I’ve found an endless supply of dance inspiration in France, and you know I'll be keeping those blog posts and social media updates flowing, right?!
Until next time, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, keep twirling and always stay stylish! #tututuesday