Dorothée Gilbert, a principal dancer at the Paris Opera, will perform her final show on October 15, marking the end of a 26-year career with the company, including 19 years as a principal dancer. She has slightly exceeded the institution's retirement age. Gilbert has chosen to perform L’Histoire de Manon by Kenneth MacMillan, alongside her regular partner for 12 years, principal dancer Hugo Marchand. The two form a legendary duo, in demand for many galas. During rehearsals, their camaraderie is evident, with Gilbert describing their artistic alchemy and mutual understanding. On this night of departure, she aims to make it a celebration for the company, though she acknowledges saying goodbye to the public will be difficult. Gilbert has performed in numerous countries including Australia, the United States, Brazil, China, Russia, Spain, and Japan, where she has received "touching letters" and press articles from her loyal fans. Born in Toulouse, she began her training at the conservatory in her region, entered the Opera's dance school at age 12, and was hired into the ballet company five years later. She has performed in a variety of classical and contemporary ballets, including Giselle, Le Lac des cygnes, Cendrillon, Don Quichotte, Casse-Noisette, La Dame aux camélias, and others. She has also danced Giselle twelve times, evolving her interpretation of the character over time. Gilbert, a mother of a 12-year-old daughter, plans a "gradual descent, in stages." She has upcoming plans with Hugo Marchand, including performances of L’Histoire de Manon in Argentina, and is also a coach for dancers preparing for internal promotion competitions. She has a small role in the film Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by Alexandre Castagnetti, which will be released on October 28 alongside principal dancer Guillaume Diop. She is also the subject of a documentary by her husband, James Bort, with a planned release in 2027. Gilbert mentions that her body is "rather quite well," though she recalls past injuries, including calf tears and a fatigue injury to the second metatarsal when she was 24. In her dressing room, nearly 300 pairs of new pointe shoes, handmade to order in London, await use. The farewell evening will be broadcast live on the Pop platform of the Paris Opera.