Tutu Tuesday in Villepinte, Île-de-France: A Parisian Adventure in Pointe Shoes
G'day lovelies! So this Tutu Tuesday I'm whisking you all off on a little Parisian adventure! I've been absolutely smitten with France's ballet scene for years, and finally decided to pack my pointe shoes and tulle, and head to Villepinte, Île-de-France, to see what all the fuss is about.
Stepping off the train in Villepinte felt like stepping onto a set from a classic ballet - cobblestone streets, quaint little cafes and those Parisian balconies dripping in flowers, oh la la! It was enough to inspire a plié or two just walking through the streets!
First up on my Parisian ballet tour was the Musée du Théâtre de la Ville, a stunning building that houses a collection of historical costumes, set designs and even some rare manuscripts related to French theatre and ballet.
You can't even begin to imagine how amazing it was to see the evolution of tutu styles through the centuries! They've got everything from the long, romantic tutus of the Romantic era to the short, streamlined tutus of the 20th century - it's absolutely mind blowing! Seeing them up close really made me appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship involved in creating these iconic pieces.
The highlight of my day, however, was attending a performance at the prestigious Opéra Bastille! Honestly, it was like watching a dream come to life. The dancers were so elegant, so technically proficient, and the story, the emotions, it was all so beautifully woven together! I sat mesmerised throughout the whole thing, my eyes glued to every graceful leap and delicate arabesque. I could feel myself getting completely caught up in the story and the emotion of the ballet. It was like a window into a different world, and I felt incredibly privileged to be able to experience it first-hand. I almost shed a happy tear, and we all know how much us dancers like to shed a few happy tears on Tutu Tuesday, especially when we're in such a magical place!
It wouldn't be Tutu Tuesday in Paris without a bit of indulgence, so I grabbed a pastry from a charming cafe right next to the theatre - the buttery croissant, with its perfectly flaky layers, just melted in my mouth! Of course, it was a "slight" (wink, wink) sugar rush after all those hours of standing on my tippy toes!
Before leaving Villepinte, I just had to take a few photos in front of the stunningly- beautiful City Hall building with its symmetrical columns. The light was just perfect and, honestly, who can resist a cheeky little photo in a tutu, right? It's a true "Tutu Tuesday" classic!
Okay lovelies, that's it for me! Paris, and in particular, Villepinte, has truly captured my heart - and definitely made this Tutu Tuesday a day to remember! It’s safe to say I’ll be adding “Explore the French Ballet Scene” to my list of 2024 goals.
- Until then, happy dancing! Keep those tutus twirling!
- Don't forget to use #TutuTuesday #Villepinte #Île-de-France when sharing your dance moments on socials!
And of course, remember – practice makes perfect! It's always a good time to grab your pointe shoes and perfect that pirouette!
À bientôt, loves!