Coulaines Pays de la Loire, France - #TutuTuesday
G'day from France, darlings! It's your girl, Chloe, checking in from the charming town of Coulaines, nestled in the picturesque Pays de la Loire region. I know what you're thinking: what's a sassy Aussie dancer doing all the way over here? Well, let's just say, this trip's been a whirlwind of tutu-tastic discoveries. You see, when I'm not twirling on pointe in my beloved Sydney, I'm absolutely living for exploring the world's most beautiful and historic dance spots - and France, oh France, is just screaming "ballerina bliss".
Today's all about celebrating #TutuTuesday, and honestly, I could not think of a better place to do it than here. I'm seriously feeling like I've stepped right into a ballet fairytale. Just picture it: cobblestone streets, grand architecture, and oh my goodness, the cafes. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the aroma of warm pastries – a total dance dream, right? And as for the ballet scene? You betcha, it's alive and thriving!
Coulaines itself has its own local ballet company, full of talent. I saw them perform in the cutest little theatre. Think charming wooden seats, a touch of faded velvet and all the passionate energy of young dancers just bursting with artistry. Now, I've seen a fair share of ballets back in Australia, but there's something extra special about watching a local troupe in a place like Coulaines. It's so intimate and heartwarming.
Speaking of heartwarming, my whole Parisian adventure so far has been a constant stream of tulle dreams. Parisian style? Well, let's just say the Parisian babes here are killing the "classic with a twist" vibe, but seriously, there's no beating the grace and elegance of the tutu. There's just something about this iconic ballet garment that screams Parisian chic – it's classic, timeless and effortlessly glamorous. It's definitely making my Aussie ballerina heart sing.
Now, let's talk tutus! Because let's be real, a #TutuTuesday post ain't complete without some fashion talk, right? In Coulaines, I'm all about that romantic, whimsical French vibe. That means embracing:
- The Romantic Tutu: It's delicate, ethereal and oh-so-dreamy with a delicate layering of tulle and a sprinkle of glitter, because let's be real, we can't leave out a little sparkle, can we? This tutu style says "Parisian ballerina" with a capital "P" and will turn heads no matter what street corner you waltz onto.
- The Classic Pointe Shoe Tutu: It’s just simply iconic – the short, puffy, slightly ruffled silhouette. The ultimate dance dream. Every ballerina should own this at least once in their career! And yes, I am seriously rocking a custom-designed classic pointe shoe tutu in Coulaines that's a little bit boudoir, a little bit boho. (You know I love a bit of an unexpected twist) It's the perfect way to pay homage to those amazing dancers who first introduced us to the power of the tutu.
- The Modern Tutu: This style screams “confidence and innovation." You can take a more casual approach with the colour or patterns, even add patches or other accents - just use your imagination! If you're looking for something chic, daring and utterly contemporary, this is the style to rock! Coulaines’ modern ballet scene embraces this style like a boss.
And don't even get me started on the tutus I've been spotting in the dance stores around town. My Insta followers are in for a treat this week. Trust me! We're talking all things tutus! From the Parisian shops filled with tulle dreams, to the historical charm of the architecture that provides a fairytale-like backdrop to the magic of French ballet - I can't wait to share it all with you.
In the meantime, get ready to spin! Be sure to follow along for more adventures and more tutus. Because hey, who doesn’t love a #TutuTuesday, right?
Ciao for now, lovelies. Chloe x.