Tutu Tuesday 18461

## **Tutu Tuesday in Épinay-sur-Orge, Île-de-France: A Parisian Ballet Adventure #tututuesday** Bonjour from Paris, lovelies! It's your girl, Chloe here, back with another *Tutu Tuesday* and this time I'm taking you on a whirlwind adventure to Épinay-sur-Orge in the heart of Île-de-France! Now, you're probably thinking, "Épinay-sur-Orge? Isn't that a bit... *far out*?" And yeah, it's not exactly the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, but trust me, there's a hidden ballet gem waiting to be discovered. This little suburb is actually a hotbed of local dance talent, and today I'm stepping out of my usual pointe shoes and into a whole new world of tutus! Let's dive in! **From the Opéra de Paris to Épinay's Dance Studios** It's no secret that Paris has been a mecca for ballet since forever! The Opéra de Paris is legendary, and it's truly inspiring to be amongst all the history and prestige of the art form. But venturing out of the grand dame of the city and into the suburbs feels like discovering a hidden, buzzing scene. So, naturally, my first stop was Épinay's very own **École de Danse Sylvie**, which has been around for over 30 years, and boy, are they dedicated! From the classic white tutus to the *super cute* pink ones with the ruffled edges, it was like a tutu explosion. And the costumes for their performances - talk about professional! I got to chat with some of the young ballerinas (and even a couple of "old stagers", as they call themselves in French!), and you can really feel the love of dance here. It's not all about becoming the next star of the Opéra; these folks just truly *live* for ballet. **The "Chic" Side of Ballet: Parisian Flair on Tutu Tuesday** It's no surprise that Parisians are stylish even in their tutus! While I was in Épinay, I spotted some real trends. You wouldn't believe how many *long-line tutus* I saw - think super elegant, all the way down to the calf, with a bit of sparkle for that *je ne sais quoi*. And speaking of sparkle... don't even get me started on the *Swarovski-encrusted* designs! I kid you not, I even saw a ballerina rocking a tutu that had actual crystal butterflies sewn onto the fabric. Talk about haute couture! But hey, let's not forget the *classics*! There's something incredibly timeless and graceful about a simple, well-fitted *traditional tutu* with the tulle flowing out. I mean, what can be more baller than that, right? **A Bit of Tutu Talk and a Parisian Brunch:** To round off the day, I caught up with my *chic Parisian bestie*, Marie, for a brunch that I *couldn't resist* telling you about. You know how it is, girl talk is always better over good food! We sipped our latte macchiatos and *shared a platter of pastries that looked like they were straight from a magazine*! Marie just couldn't *get over my *sparkly* tutu* I'd found in a vintage store earlier. It was literally the most perfect shade of dusty pink with sequins the size of coins. She swore she saw me walking down a Parisian street in a movie! *Let's just say I was flattered*! We chatted about everything and anything from the upcoming Ballet Gala in Paris (Marie’s sister is a dancer!) to which colour of tutu would best match the floral pattern on the croissant I was having (we decided green, by the way! Green is the new black, everyone! *wink*). **Dancing with a Touch of Parisian Chic: Tutu Tuesday is an Endless Adventure** Now, if you're thinking of exploring beyond the *obvious Parisian tourist haunts*, let me tell you: take a trip to Épinay-sur-Orge! It's a bit more *real*, a bit more *lived-in*, and *definitely* a whole lot more interesting. Who knows? You might just find yourself rocking a *sparkly* tutu on a *Tutu Tuesday*, enjoying a delightful *French-style brunch*, and realizing that Paris, in all its beauty, isn't just for the tourist brochures. Keep on dancing, loves! And always remember to keep an eye out for that *little extra touch* of chic in your everyday life.