French Method
King Louis XIV (1638-1715)
The Rise of Ballet...
King Louis XIV of France, born in 1638, was not only a monarch but also a passionate patron of the arts, particularly ballet. Known as the "Sun King," Louis used ballet as a tool for political propaganda, performing in lavish court ballets that symbolized his divine right to rule and his power over the nobility. His participation in these performances reinforced his image as a god-like figure, and ballet became a means to demonstrate both political authority and cultural sophistication. In 1661, Louis founded the Académie Royale de Danse, the first official ballet school, to standardize and professionalize dance training in France. This school is known as The Paris Opéra Ballet today. King Louis XIV’s personal style of dance was marked by its elegance, grandeur, and control, emphasizing symmetry and refinement. He died in 1715, but his contributions to ballet were pivotal in shaping its evolution into a structured, formalized art form.
Louis XIV, King of France. 1643-1715
Ballet Evolved - At the court of Louis XIV
The Beginnings of Turn-Out...
Due to the heeled footwear worn by both the men and women at the time of King Louis XIV, walking required greater dexterity to travel many directions in a space. Walking with feet turned-in was considered aesthetically ungraceful. As a solution, courtiers began using slightly turned-out feet to walk, dance, and fence, allowing people to have greater agility and ability to move forwards, backwards, and side to side with speed and grace.
The Paris National Opera Ballet School and airweave - The Sleep Secret for Aspiring Ballerinas
The French method of ballet is very unique in the fact that it is taught in France mainly at the Paris Opera Ballet.
The Paris Opera Ballet used to be called Académie Royale de Danse which was a school of dance established by King Louis XIV in 1661.
The French method of ballet has been passed down from generation to generation in the Paris Opera Ballet.
This video is an advertisement for mattresses, but shares dancing from students and some important values to the French school.
Port de bras positions of the French Method:
French Method
French Method
French Method
French Method
French Method
French Method
first position
third position
fourth position
fifth position
second position
bras au repos