Tutu Tuesday in Valenciennes, Hauts-de-France, France: A Parisian Dream in a Twirling Skirt
Gâday from the cobbled streets of Valenciennes, a charming town nestled in the Hauts-de-France region of France! As an Aussie ballerina living and twirling in Paris, I love taking road trips to explore this beautiful country. This week, I landed in Valenciennes for a day of culture, croissants, and, of course, tutu-tastic fun. It was a classic case of #tututuesday in the best way possible!
Stepping off the train, I was greeted with the intoxicating aroma of fresh bread, a symphony of charming, old-world architecture, and a palpable sense of history that tickled my fancy. Valenciennes has a fascinating backstory, steeped in royal courts, Flemish influence, and a vibrant industrial past. You can feel it in the cobblestone streets, the Gothic-inspired architecture, and the spirit of the local people. Theyâre genuinely kind and welcoming â a bit like finding a cheeky Aussie lamington hidden in a Parisian patisserie. The locals even made me feel right at home, sharing a hearty dose of French "bonjour" and laughter while I attempted my rudimentary French, peppered with cheeky Aussie slang.
Of course, I was here to tap into the rich dance scene of the region, especially its ballet scene. With its own regional opera house, "lâOpĂ©ra de Lille,â that regularly tours, Valenciennes is definitely part of France's love affair with classical ballet.
As any good ballerina knows, the key to #tututuesday is a good tutu, right? I decided to break out my classic romantic tutu â a delicate, multi-layered creation adorned with wispy feathers and sequins, all swirling around my hips like a dreamy cloud. It perfectly embodies the elegant beauty and grace of Parisian style, adding a whimsical touch to my otherwise casual Parisian-inspired wardrobe, a navy linen jacket with crisp white blouse and loafers.
And as I twirled my way around the historic streets, the romantic tutu had me feeling like a scene from a vintage ballet film. Passersby stopped to admire, even taking a photo or two. The French, I find, love to capture the simple beauty of life! After all, whatâs life without a little twirl now and again, right?
Here are the highlights of my Valenciennes #tututuesday adventure. These included, as always, my mandatory dance stops!
- The Cityâs Centre: A Symphony of Twirls
- Musee de Valenciennes: Art & Elegance
- The Charm of Place dâArmes
- An Ode to Valenciennes Ballet School
- Tutu Tuesday Essentials:
- A Touch of Romantic Elegance: Whether you're channeling the whimsical beauty of a romantic tutu or rocking a bold statement, remember, the key to a good #tututuesday is choosing a tutu that reflects your personality and inspires you to move. Don't be afraid to let your inner ballerina shine! It could be your daily outfit or a little tutu just for a photo! I do love me a great photo op.
- Dance-Inspired Confidence: When Iâm feeling fabulous, I donât hesitate to strike a pose. The art of dancing gives us that inner confidence. Itâs about celebrating life through the art of expression.
After enjoying the early morning sunrise over a freshly baked croissant (you can't go wrong with Parisian pastries, let me tell ya!) I headed to the heart of Valenciennes. Itâs a real treasure trove of architectural styles. From the ornate Renaissance Town Hall to the grandeur of the Cathedral of St. GĂ©ry, Valenciennes whispers tales of times gone by.
This was my chance to break out some elegant grand allegro steps â a few graceful turns, some high extensions, and even a cheeky arabesque (youâve gotta show off when youâre in a romantic tutu!) amongst the cobblestones. This, however, was interrupted with squeals of laughter as I tripped over a charming (very cute, though!) little poodle on a walkies with its elderly French owner. It turned out to be one of the most adorable faux-pas in a tutu! The dog even seemed to be giving me the eye.
The museum houses some truly impressive French artwork, ranging from religious paintings to early French Impressionist masterpieces. But the museum is also renowned for its incredible collection of 18th-century costume design for opera, a veritable goldmine of inspiration for any ballet-loving fashionista! As I floated around the museum, I found myself thinking about the parallels between the theatrical beauty of costumes for ballet and opera, especially how a stunning outfit, like my tutu, can become an extension of oneself. Itâs all about transforming simple movements into expressive artistry and leaving a lasting impression, whether it's through art, ballet, or the graceful dance of everyday life.
Place dâArmes is a grand square at the heart of the old town and serves as a gathering space for the townspeople, artists, and the regular Valenciennes Sunday market, with a wide variety of French and Northern French cuisine on offer. After a cheeky morning of twirling through the old city and museum hopping, I felt ready to join in the charm of this vibrant public space.
To be honest, I just couldn't help myself, a burst of French joie de vivre bubbled up within me and a impromptu, whimsical pas de deux ensued. To the locals' amusement, I was joined in the square by some charmingly shy Parisian locals who decided to teach me some simple French folk dancing. It was certainly a reminder that tutus and dancing can transcend language barriers and cultural differences. Thatâs the true power of dance!
The grand old architecture of Valenciennes has certainly left its mark. I popped into the Conservatoire de Musique, Dance, Drama & Cinema de Valenciennes, a venerable ballet institution renowned for nurturing young dancers in the French tradition. I felt a thrill stepping inside its historic halls.
I decided to share some tips and encouragement to students training hard for their next performance. And after a mini tutu-tastic lesson for the students, we had a spirited conversation, in a mix of Aussie slang and rudimentary French. The conversation sparked an impromptu performance of ballet moves with students dressed in classical tutus, and an Aussie-infused dance routine inspired by some of the famous traditional Aboriginal dances from my hometown in the outback of Australia, which filled the room with laughter and clapping. And for a few moments, the spirit of Australia mingled beautifully with the refined French dance tradition.
While we Australians may not be known for tutus in everyday life, itâs safe to say my #tututuesday adventures certainly sparked a little dance magic. In the heart of Hauts-de-France, surrounded by the charm and history of Valenciennes, I rediscovered that even the most unexpected of places can bring out the ballet-loving spirit within.
If youâre looking for a little tutu-inspired magic in your own life, whether in Valenciennes or down your own local street, Iâd recommend:
And a final reminder, #tututuesday is not just about wearing a tutu. Itâs about living life with a little twirl, a little sparkle, and a big dose of laughter. Whether itâs taking a chance, embracing your unique spirit, or just enjoying the moment, I think we can all agree itâs time to dance your way to a happy Tuesday.