Tutu Tuesday in Neuville-en-Ferrain, Hauts-de-France, France #tututuesday
G'day, lovelies! This week, I'm trading the bright lights of the Sydney Opera House for the charming streets of Neuville-en-Ferrain, Hauts-de-France, France. Now, you might be thinking, "What's a ballet dancer doing in a French village?". Well, my love of ballet is a truly global one, and I'm on a mission to discover the beauty and the brilliance of dance wherever I roam. And let me tell you, France has a real special place in my heart - itās the land of ballerinas, you know!
Today, my mission is to explore the local ballet scene, and of course, I had to embrace the #tututuesday theme in style. Let's be real, a ballerina can't resist a good tutu moment, and Neuville-en-Ferrain delivered big time! From classic romantic tutus to contemporary styles that were oh-so-modern, the tutus here are definitely giving us a dance world fashion feast for the eyes.
Firstly, I gotta tell you about this little boutique called "Le Tutu Classique". Now, itās hidden away on a cobblestone street, and honestly, the first time I saw it, I felt like Iād been transported to a fairy tale. Everything was so perfectly pretty - there were tulle skirts in every colour, sequins that shimmered like stardust, and even these gorgeous beaded bodices that could have graced the stage at the Paris Opera! And to top it all off, the owner, a beautiful lady named Madame Dubois, told me about how she was passionate about teaching ballet and creating the perfect tutus for young dancers in Neuville-en-Ferrain. She had such an incredible story about a little dance school, started by a famous dancer many years ago - now, I was hooked!
Now, a day in France without some croissants is not a day at all, so after a delightful morning, I headed to a quaint patisserie called āAu Pain DorĆ©ā, which meant āGolden Breadā ā fitting since all the pastries looked golden and gorgeous! I sat outside and enjoyed my cafĆ© au lait and croissant while doing some research about Neuville-en-Ferrainās dance history. The city has such a rich ballet legacy - I learnt about a beautiful old theatre where dancers from across Europe performed years ago! Iām actually trying to see if itās still there, but for now, my mission is to find this amazing dance school that Madame Dubois had talked about.
Armed with my croissant crumbs (and an Instagrammable shot of my morning tea!) I set off to explore. The cobbled streets wound their way through quaint squares and hidden courtyards - this village really was straight out of a movie. After what felt like hours of wandering, I came across this little hidden doorway that was painted in the most stunning blue shade - It could have been a Parisian dream come true! I followed the path, and as soon as I pushed the door open, I was hit with a beautiful soundscape. A mix of laughter, and music. I cautiously went through, and I had to pinch myself! It was this dance studio! The air was alive with energy. It wasnāt some fancy, huge dance academy, it was more like a cosy, warm, community hall, filled with young dancers in all sorts of costumes! Some girls were practising their leaps, some were trying to learn spins, and another girl, with the most amazing, red ballet shoes Iāve ever seen, was doing this incredibly challenging dance solo ā oh my gosh! I stood there, completely spellbound, and watched every minute of her routine - the graceful movement, the pure passion, the artistry, it was phenomenal! She was totally in the moment. That's the kind of dance I strive for as a ballerina. I thought, this is real dancing! It was just pure expression!
Now, this dance studio definitely captured my heart - not just because of its energy and love, but also because it reminded me of where I first started my own dance journey! You see, I actually grew up in a small town in the heart of the Australian Outback. There were more sheep than humans, and our dance studio was tucked away in this little shed. But just like these dancers here, it was all about love for ballet and passion. Thatās what connected me to Neuville-en-Ferrain in such a beautiful way.
When I popped out from my āmini-performanceā (okay, so I had a bit of a spontaneous ballet moment myself - I really couldn't help myself), the girls looked at me, they had this look in their eyes that said āWow, that was so good! Can we learn from you?ā. I told them all about my dreams of being a ballerina in Sydney and everything I'd learned through hard work and dedication. And honestly, their smiles and eagerness was the most beautiful response a ballerina could ask for. You know what? I told them, I would love to return and teach them all about dance and artistry - it felt like a really great thing to share and I'm super excited to give something back to this village! They seemed super happy about it, too.
My afternoon in Neuville-en-Ferrain was unforgettable - a place full of character, culture, and a love of the beautiful art of ballet that I absolutely fell in love with. So if youāre ever in France, and looking for an enchanting experience, add this delightful little village to your itinerary. It will surely sweep you off your feet!
Until next time, dance lovers.
Outfit breakdown:
- My Tutu: A beautiful two-layer pastel pink tulle tutu from a small French boutique, just perfect for dancing around Neuville-en-Ferrain.
- My Shoes: Sleek black leather ballet slippers from a Parisian artisan ā I love how comfortable and stylish they are.
- My Blouse: A silky, flowy white top with intricate lace detailing - adding a touch of elegance.
- My Jewellery: Simple and classic gold earrings to match my tutuās glimmer - itās important to balance sparkle with elegance.
- My Bag: My go-to French tote bag with a playful polka dot design, just big enough for my essentials.
Remember, every day can be #tututuesday. All you need is a little creativity and passion for the beauty of dance.