Bourrée

The dance was recorded in the 16th century as a folk dance; it was presented during royal ceremonies. It entered the court dance repertoire together with the minuet in the 17th century. At first, it was performed as a social dance at court balls; later, until the end of the 18th century, it was presented on stage, where it always retained its lively, rustic character and four-measure metre. The first recorded choreographies of the Feuillet system date from the early 18th century. These are dances composed by the famous dance master Louis Pecour. Both in the Bourrée d’Achille, the bourrée from the La Bourgogne suite, and in the Bourrée La Savoy the system is danced by one couple, most often with the steps papas de bourrée, jetté, and sissonne.

The characteristic step of the bourrée is the pas de bourrée or fleuret, that is, three steps on the toes in all directions and in various combinations.