Since its founding by King Louis XIV in 1713, the Paris Opera Ballet School has acquired multitudes of accolades, but the prestigious institution has never celebrated such a monumental milestone as this one.
Looking back on the year that marked the 300th anniversary of the school (known in 1713 as The Academy Royale de la Danse), photographer Pascal Le Segretain captured the rehearsals, performances and technical training of the school’s current class: exquisite scenes from a revered, but rigid, ballet education.
Click through the gallery to see these beautiful, lithe “little rats” (as the students are affectionately called) celebrate three centennials of mastering the perfect pointe.
