Ballet School Harold & Alexandra Paturet

Harold & Alexandra Paturet's dance school in Toulouse teaches salsa, rock, bachata, tango argentin, and west coast swing in group and private lessons. The school's philosophy centres on pleasure as the best way to learn. The founders believe everyone can dance — flexibility is not a prerequisite, clear language replaces jargon, and rhythm is taught accessibly through what they call their "solfège à deux balles" method, which makes sense of rhythm in under five minutes.

Harold began dancing at age four and competed until twenty-one. He has trained under renowned teachers including Daniel Valcin, René Barsi, Pablo Veron, Julie & Walter Laird, Sebastian Arce and Mariana Montes, and Mariano Chicho Frumboli. He has taught since 1992. Harold met Alexandra at his parents' dance school, and together they developed Toulouse's first argentinian tango and salsa courses in the 1990s. Harold's father Guy and mother Danielle founded the original École de danses in Toulouse in 1971, teaching ballroom, tap, and acrobatic rock. That school gained international recognition and influenced many others across France.

The Paturet school opened its first location on rue des Amidonniers in 2003, then expanded with the Sing Sing venue in 2013. The atmosphere is deliberately relaxed and supportive: mutual kindness is a core value, with a strict rule against criticising partners. Beginners are welcomed from zero, and students progress at their own pace. The school also runs La Guinguette du Sing Sing, a social dancing event every Sunday year-round, even through summer when regular group classes pause.

The venue is accessible by car with a large private car park, or by public transport: tram lines T1 and T2 (Arènes Romaines station), or buses 46 (Jaufré Rudel stop) and 64 (Flambère stop). The school holds open days and hosts events.

You'll find a relaxed, welcoming environment where mistakes are encouraged as part of learning. Instructors teach with clear language and humour, focusing on rhythm and enjoyment rather than perfection. Everyone dances as part of a friendly community.

Harold Paturet, who has danced competitively and taught since 1992, trained under international masters including Sebastian Arce, Mariana Montes, Mariano Chicho Frumboli, Julie & Walter Laird, and others. His wife Alexandra co-runs the school and teaches. Both bring decades of experience across multiple styles.

Beginners are explicitly welcome; the school starts from zero and teaches with simple language, making rhythm accessible in minutes rather than months.