Tutu Tuesday in Beuvrages, Hauts-de-France, France: A Ballerina's Delight
G'day, fashionistas and fellow ballet lovers! It's your girl, Chloe here, back from another exciting adventure in the world of dance and fashion. This week, I'm taking you on a trip with me to Beuvrages, a charming little town nestled in the Hauts-de-France region of France. You might be wondering, what on earth is a ballerina doing in a place like this? Well, I'll tell you! It's all thanks to my love of #tututuesday!
This #tututuesday, I embarked on a pilgrimage to Beuvrages to immerse myself in its vibrant cultural scene, specifically, its ballet history! It’s well-known in the dance world, but perhaps not so much internationally, that Beuvrages has a rich history of ballet, dating back to the early 20th century. There used to be a wonderful ballet school in the heart of the town which was known for churning out some of the finest dancers in France. I was desperate to check out what the local ballet company was up to!
While the school itself is no longer active (I'm told there’s still a fantastic history book, a treasure trove of costumes, photos, and anecdotes), the legacy lives on in the town’s thriving arts community. That’s why I decided to spend my #tututuesday there to check out what the local dancers have been working on and soak in all that French inspiration, which we all know, oozes chicness! So I packed up my trusty tutu bag, filled with a gorgeous selection of tutus from every style - from classic Romantic to the super sassy contemporary numbers (a touch of pink tulle, some silver, and maybe even a bit of feathered sparkle - every tutu lover’s dream!), and set off on my French adventure.
Now, before you imagine me swanning around Beuvrages in my fancy dress, let's get one thing straight: it was a strictly casual affair. I didn't want to make the locals feel uncomfortable. Still, there's no stopping this tutu lover from embracing her passion, so I styled up a simple white tee and black skinny jeans with a stunning pair of emerald green heeled ballet shoes, paired with a beautiful, classic Romantic tulle tutu! (Just a bit of peek-a-boo of delicate tulle! So gorgeous, especially with that emerald pop!) I mean, you gotta express your passion right? It's #tututuesday!
The first thing that hit me about Beuvrages was the charm. It was such a quaint town, a total departure from my usually hectic city life. Everyone was super friendly, even those who didn’t speak much English, and there was a relaxed and artistic atmosphere. It definitely wasn’t like a typical, bustling, cosmopolitan French town - it was way more like the France from the movies.
I kicked off my #tututuesday with a trip to the town’s little, local cafe, which had its own quirky charm, decked out in French farmhouse style with comfy, vintage wicker chairs. Imagine warm, crusty bread and decadent, milky coffee with a touch of hazelnut - that’s Beuvrages in a nutshell! This cute cafe became my little Parisian haven. I got a bit lost in the book I was reading about French history and fashion; I’m quite the nerd for those subjects! It had amazing detail on how some of those 18th and 19th-century tutus, the ones you see in the classics like La Sylphide and Giselle, were constructed and how ballet as an artform developed during those periods!
And speaking of French inspiration, you wouldn't believe how many cute vintage clothing shops there were! And trust me, this girl LOVES a vintage shop. If it has sequins or lace or something with the potential to be upcycled and fashioned into a Tutu creation (trust me, I’ve been doing that for years!), you'll find me digging around, rummaging through the racks, like it's my job. I ended up getting a gorgeous vintage lace shawl - which can double as a lovely little ballet cape for a class project, right?! #alwayslookingfornewideas
After my morning coffee and fashion raid, it was time to go check out the local ballet studio - the place that was a former home to the famous ballet school that made Beuvrages famous! It's not what you'd call a super flashy, high-tech ballet studio with mirrors stretching from floor to ceiling - more like a charming, rustic studio, full of light. I think I actually spotted some beautiful period details from when the studio was the school, things like decorative hand painted designs. It felt really historical.
Now, I didn't walk in wearing my tutu - like I said, that’s a bit of a cultural faux pas, wouldn't be appropriate - I'm pretty sure I’d get some funny looks. Still, it wasn't hard to get a real sense of the town's passion for ballet, even though the dance school has long been closed. It wasn't a modern, hip-hop and contemporary kind of vibe; the atmosphere was way more elegant, classic. So much heart! There were photos and posters on the wall featuring incredible ballet pieces. From what I heard from the few locals I chatted with - this used to be where it was at! Beuvrages was known in the ballet scene all around France. And the legacy really lived on. I chatted to some of the people who have been doing dance for years at this place - it’s no wonder! It really was special, a bit magical.
After getting my fill of local dance lore, it was time to treat myself to a real Beuvrages experience: a traditional French afternoon tea - what could be better on a #tututuesday than afternoon tea? They had gorgeous cakes with fluffy, flaky crusts and delicate jams, and beautiful hand-painted cups. I found myself in this tiny French tearoom, soaking up the peaceful vibes, surrounded by friendly locals with smiles all round. It's times like that, sharing a pot of tea with strangers who became friends in an instant, that really make a trip like this! This isn't something you get in the city! Beuvrages was definitely the antidote to my super hectic Sydney city life.
While my afternoon was coming to an end, I didn't want my #tututuesday adventure to be over yet. After my tea, I decided to find some of Beuvrages's historic hidden gems. You know I love an old town square with beautiful architecture. So I decided to take a little wander around the town, letting the ancient stonework buildings and winding streets sweep me away. There were cafes on every corner - but let’s face it, a Parisian style café with pastries? A French delight.
All those cute little stores filled with locally-made things - I found this amazing antique jewelry shop full of antique ballerina figurines that just had me mesmerized! I almost swapped my bag of tutus for a few vintage brooches and ballerina pieces for my collection - that’s what you call a great bargain! Oh well, next time. And just like that, my magical #tututuesday came to an end.
From the cozy cafes to the history-filled ballet studios to the cobblestone streets, Beuvrages, Hauts-de-France is an absolute treasure trove. It has stolen my heart! Even after I flew back to the big city - my life is back in full swing with my dance classes and my hectic work week - it was just what the doctor ordered: an unforgettable little escapade in a gorgeous place!
So if you're ever feeling a little jaded by city life and you're in need of some ballet inspiration, come to Beuvrages and have a look! Trust me; you’ll have a blast. Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other on #tututuesday. That would be absolutely fantastic!
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