Immense and moving, eccentric but conservative, avant-garde but anchored in its history, London rears up and refuses to accept any rigid denomination. A powerful international magnet, always at the forefront and frenetically dynamic, she intrigues and convinces. The British capital is constantly reinventing itself so that it is rediscovered with each stay
The British capital is sprawling and growing at the pace of its vibrant neighbourhoods. After reaching central London from Heathrow Airport, direction Soho and Westminster, the heart of the city. Westminster is the seat of royal power and parlementaire : this is where the iconic sites of Parliament Square are located, including the famous Big Ben clock. It is a policed and smooth world, far from the sultry neighbour Soho, eclectic and bohemian, a pillar of the gay night, a paradise for theatres and creators of all kinds. Soho deserves to take the time to stroll through the maze of its cobbled streets. The uninitiated rarely go beyond the covered and soulless market of Covent Garden : serious erreur ! It is in the backyards that we know the true face of Soho. You will not be able to avoid the main streets of Oxford Street and Regent's Street, shopping temples and centres of London's attention. Just beyond Soho and Oxford Circus begin the north London districts and the wealthy districts of Marylebone and Bloomsbury
Villages in the North
A short distance away is Regent's Park, a magnificent park. Mostly appreciated for its rose garden in summer and its romanticism in winter, it is perhaps the most beautiful park in London. The bravest will push to Primrose Hill, a hill that borders the northern flank of Regent's Park. They will be rewarded by one of the most British and still relatively secret villages in London, which houses pink, blue or yellow cottages and pretty typical pubs. A very different atmosphere from the one that electrifies Camden, just a hundred meters away. It is in this rock district that the Camden Market and the indie scene of the small local bars are nestled. From Camden, you can take the Regent's Canal for a beautiful stroll that takes you either to the Little Venice barges in the west or to the quiet and trendy life of Islington in the east
If you opt for the western barges, you will reach the residential and chic districts of Notting Hill, then Kensington and Chelsea. Large private squares, imposing houses and opulent buildings are the lot of this golden triangle, seat of the great English bourgeoisie. Notting Hill is however a godsend for fashionistas who will walk through small designer or vintage shops
East End revival!
If, on the other hand, you opt for the east towards Islington, attention : you are dangerously close to the trendy districts of the new "Swinging London". Continuing towards the East End and the City, old working class districts of working class London, we discover the new face of London. It is in this historically feared East End that the underground and trendy London has taken up residence, like a city always on the lookout for new districts with moderate rents to expand. It is truly here that London reinvents itself, whether it is urban planning, artistic creation or nightlife
This rebirth, the southern bank of the Thames, was experienced long before the East End. In the aftermath of the Second World War, large wastelands were used to build a large cultural complex, the Southbank Centre. Since then, the southern shore has continued to host more and more large-scale cultural projects. Thus, the transition to the new millennium was marked by an unparalleled architectural renewal with the appearance of the Millenium Bridge footbridge, the construction of the City Hall, the reinvention of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre and above all the brilliant transformation of an old power station into an art museum moderne : the Tate Modern. A visit to this impressive museum will surely be one of the highlights of any stay in London. The Tate Modern regularly hosts major international exhibitions. However, the popular success of the Modern should not overshadow its venerable elder, the wise and secret Tate Britain, which houses the largest collection of British artworks
Good tables and long nights in perspective..
As we sit down to dinner, London is home to one of the most dynamic culinary scenes in Europe. Having integrated imported flavours from elsewhere, it is now a paradise for world cuisine. At the same time, the capital has experienced a culinary revival through its world-renowned chefs (Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver) and the Modern British trend, which advocates a rediscovery of typically British cuisine. Gastropubs are the spearhead of this trend. Finally, London is the centre of organic and vegetarian cuisine, which here is creative and fun.
After the meal, London never stops at night. Europe's largest city offers almost infinite night-time possibilities. To sort through the jungle of London by night, there is a tool indispensable : Time Out magazine. Theatre lovers will head to the Old Vic or Almeida theatres. Classical dance lovers will go to the Royal Opera House while contemporary dance lovers will go to Sadler's Wells. For music lovers, whether they are more classical music or rock concerts, London is "the place to be". The musical abundance is such that it is difficult to highlight a selection of concerts not to be missed, but here again, the Time Out will prove very useful in making your choice according to your inclinations and the period of your stay. Anyway, classical lovers will go to the Royal Albert Hall or Barbican while rock or indie fans will find their happiness in the small bars of Camden. For night birds suffering from insomnia, the heavyweight of the London night is obviously the East End. The new underground scene is further down in Hackney and Dalston
Smart info
When? When? London can be visited all year round, but it is in July and August that tourists are most numerous and prices are highest (accommodation in particular is becoming more expensive, as hotels often have a high season rate policy). Spring and Indian summer are good options.
Getting there. By train, l' Eurostar connects London St. Pancras International and Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours 15 minutes with regular and daily trains. By plane, there are many daily flights from most major cities to Heathrow Airport
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