Tutu Tuesday in Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle, Centre-Val de Loire, France #tututuesday
G'day, lovelies! This week's #tututuesday adventure took me to the charming city of Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. As you all know, my heart beats for tutus – those magical pieces of fabric that transform us into ballerinas and make us feel like we're soaring through the air. So, naturally, I couldn't resist a trip to explore the ballet scene in this beautiful corner of France.
Now, you might be thinking, "What's a tutu-obsessed Aussie doing in Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle?" Well, my friends, you see, I'm not just a dancer – I'm also a travel blogger with a passion for uncovering hidden gems. And believe me, when it comes to tutus, Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle definitely holds some secrets. It's a real treasure trove of tutu history and design!
First stop was the Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle Conservatory of Dance – a charming little institution filled with stories of ballet legends from the past. As I wandered through the halls, I felt a real sense of connection to the long tradition of ballet in France, from the classical works of the 19th century right up to contemporary ballets. I'm talking graceful pirouettes, daring leaps, and of course, those awe-inspiring tutus.
But let's be real, the highlight of my visit was discovering the amazing "Tutu Workshop" run by the talented costume designer, Madame Dubois. Her workshop is a magical place, brimming with layers of fabric, ribbons, sequins, and feathers – enough to make any ballerina's heart flutter with excitement. Madame Dubois has been creating tutus for years, and she knows a thing or two about crafting those iconic, graceful creations. She showed me everything, from the simple classic white tulle tutus of Swan Lake, to the layered, romantic tulle designs that would be perfect for a dramatic La Sylphide.
To really soak up the local culture, I decided to check out the "Les Ballerines" dance company in Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle. These ladies are amazing, and they've definitely got some serious skills. Their repertoire was packed with captivating interpretations of both traditional and contemporary pieces – from "Giselle" and "Coppelia" to experimental ballets by contemporary choreographers.
As I sat in the audience, mesmerized by the movements of these talented dancers, I was struck by the elegance of the costumes. And oh, the tutus! The company has a truly stunning collection, with styles to suit every type of performance – flowing romantic tutus, dramatic pointed tutus, and even some quirky and fun tutus. I swear, I felt a twinge of jealousy for those ladies!
One of the things that really stood out to me was the commitment of the dance company to preserving the art of traditional ballet, while at the same time embracing modern and experimental dance styles. This duality is something I've seen a lot of in French culture in general – a deep respect for history, combined with a forward-thinking spirit.
To top it all off, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting one of the "Les Ballerines" dancers, Sophie. Now, Sophie is a real fashionista with a deep love for tutus. Her favourite tutu – the "Tutu a Plumes" – is a showstopper: a traditional-style tutu but adorned with a breathtaking amount of soft, flowing plumes of black ostrich feathers. Talk about elegant, darling! Sophie shared some of her tutu styling tips with me, which I will, of course, be sharing with all of you lovelies in a separate blog post. You won't believe the fabulous tricks she showed me.
Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle is a city with a vibrant culture and a real appreciation for dance, and that was so evident in the beautiful ballet performances and the captivating costumes. If you're looking for a little inspiration, or a place to see some incredible tutus, I highly recommend you add Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle to your travel itinerary – it's a real hidden gem.
And don't forget to use the hashtag #tututuesday to share your tutu adventures with the world! This Tuesday, rock your own fabulous tutu. Whether it's a classic tulle, a bold and daring pointe tutu, or even just a quirky, fun tutu inspired by a character in a fairytale, celebrate the magic of tutus with me!
Right, I'm off now to practice a few pirouettes in my own Tutu a Plumes (I couldn't resist picking up a gorgeous one from the "Tutu Workshop," of course!), but be sure to check back in soon for my "Tutu Styling Tips" blog post.
Stay fabulous and keep on dancing! Love, Eliza xxx