Tutu Tuesday in Vallauris, Provence-Alpes-CĆ“te d'Azur, France #tututuesday
G'day, lovelies! I'm back in the French Riviera, where the sun shines almost as brightly as the tulle in my wardrobe. And as the sun is always shining, it's officially Tutu Tuesday on the CĆ“te d'Azur! Today, I'm taking you all along for a day trip exploring the beautiful town of Vallauris and showcasing a new favourite tutu.
After a week of soaking up the sun in Nice, my wanderlust took over and I just had to head for the countryside. There's just something magical about exploring those French country towns, with cobblestone streets and charming little squares. Plus, Vallauris is renowned for its rich history and art scene, having been the home of famed ceramicist Pablo Picasso. Of course, with a ballet dancer's heart, I just had to bring my favourite tutu for the occasion!
Today's Tutu Tuesday star is a dream - it's a full, classic "romantic" tutu. But what makes it really special are the custom panels woven in by the French designer - it's actually hand-painted in this exquisite lavender hue, mirroring the lavender fields Iāve been passing through all day.
For my adventures, I layered the lavender tutu over a simple black leotard (I mean, who wouldn't wear a black leotard everywhere, honestly?) Itās a chic and effortlessly elegant look. Now, with this magical pairing of colours, my look was ready for a Parisian adventure - even if it's actually French countryside instead!
And what a fabulous day it's been!
- First stop, the beautiful Musee National Picasso - who doesn't love a little Picasso on a Tuesday, am I right?!
- It was breathtaking seeing Picassoās art, particularly his ceramics. So, I felt right at home, being a ballet dancer whoās always getting tangled up in tulle.
- From Picasso to the sea! It was such a pleasure to wander along Vallauris's pretty waterfront and breathe in the sea air.
- The fresh French breeze feels absolutely glorious against the silky tutu fabric. It's almost like my tutu is dancing with the wind itself.
- My love of food definitely showed up - lunch was some of the best traditional French cuisine at a quaint cafe, all accompanied by a glass of rosƩ. It felt so quintessentially French - absolutely delicious!
- Of course, no French adventure is complete without a little shopping, so I browsed the charming boutiques in the heart of town. I ended up finding the cutest little pottery shop. Thereās a bit of Picasso in me, I think. I can see myself having a little potter about at home someday, like the good old days in my mum's kitchen in Sydney.
- Then I decided to really feel like I was on the CĆ“te dāAzur - what better way than with some traditional French pastries, fresh out of the local boulangerie?! There's nothing quite like savouring that freshly-baked pastry and coffee, feeling that genuine French experience.
For a real slice of French life, Vallauris offers a unique glimpse of the world beyond Nice's dazzling coastline. But what really blew my mind were the amazing dancers in Vallauris, because you know what - even with that international star of art, Picasso, hanging about in their town, ballet is really deeply embedded in their culture, and I wasn't going to be caught out in my tutus and not experience it. So, hereās my French lesson in ballet culture:
- There's this brilliant ballet school tucked away on a quiet cobblestoned lane, almost invisible to tourists - it's called Ecole de Danse de Vallauris. Imagine my joy when I spotted that.
- Now, my French is fairly passable, and so I knew what the name meant, and I felt the magic of it immediately, as I approached it. Iām all about traditional values and techniques in ballet, and the building oozed it - just beautiful old French architecture, like something out of a ballet storybook.
- But I was not going to disrupt classes - the dancers are all young kids with so much dedication - so, I found my spot in a nearby courtyard with its iconic stonework.
- From the street, it was pure magic: those little ballerinas, so graceful - they were absolutely stunning! Each movement - and they moved in unison like water, almost as if they were wearing their own tulle gowns rather than these more basic practice uniforms - absolutely gorgeous! They truly felt so graceful. You'd think it was an opera house and not a tiny back street.
Honestly, the dancing in Vallauris felt like the true beating heart of the place, and I feel so blessed to have discovered this treasure! My heart felt so full after watching the young girls practicing their pirouettes, especially in this gorgeous, ancient little town that oozed beauty, history, and magic.
I knew then that the only fitting way to close out this fabulous day of exploring Vallauris would be to catch the sunset from the coast, wearing my special lavender tutu. I'm sitting here as the golden sun paints the sky and Iām completely mesmerized, just the two of us, the sunset and I. This Tutu Tuesday adventure in Vallauris was totally magical! It's a beautiful, art-filled town where a tutu becomes so much more - itās a passport to an amazing experience that I won't ever forget.
And for you guys, here are some top tips for the best Tutu Tuesday:
- It's all about that outfit! Make sure you choose a tutu that screams āyour vibeā - like my dreamy, lavender tutu that really reflected this gorgeous place.
- Get some gorgeous images. I found the most charming hidden courtyards, streets and places perfect for that ballet dancer posing. Even if I wasn't wearing my tutu, it felt like Iād walked into one of those famous ballets - so find your ideal backdrop.
- Grab some delicious French treats! My tip for you is those local boulangƩries - just fabulous, even for someone with my serious sweet tooth!
Now, my little Australian friend - if you want to see those sweet little French dancers in action at Ecole de Danse de Vallauris, hereās some advice. You will need a wee bit of local French knowledge (or at least the confidence to use Google Translate) because it's hard to find if youāre just relying on Google Maps. However, don't despair. They have a Facebook page, which even non-French-speaking people can navigate to get their directions, and I will post the details in my blog too. A little effort, and those little dancers and their amazing grace will more than make up for it!
Don't forget to use #tututuesday, #Vallauris, and #France. If you try my tips for Tutu Tuesday - I would love it if you tagged me in your posts, so I can see how fabulous youāre all looking - remember, I am right here, you know!
Talk to you next Tuesday, lovelies!