WESTMINSTER ABBEY

House of God, House of Kings. This is the name by which Westminster is known worldwide. Indeed, since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, all the monarchs of England have come here to be crowned (with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII). Some have also married here, and others are buried here. The Queen and Prince Philip were married here in 1947, and Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011... The abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded by Edward the Confessor in the ^11th century. The Gothic architectural style did not appear until 1220, when Henry III decided to rebuild the abbey, mainly following the architectural fashion of the day. His wish was also to pay homage to Edward the Confessor, whom he greatly admired, and whose tomb attracted numerous pilgrims every year. Close to the French court, Henri III drew inspiration for his reconstruction from the cathedrals of Amiens and Reims. Between 1503 and 1519, the abbey was enlarged under Henry VII, who added the Lady Chapel, also known as the Henry VII Chapel. The building is influenced by the Renaissance style, and Italian artists were even called in for the work. Finally completed in 1745, the facade features two immense towers built by Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, which retain the original Gothic style. This blend lends the building a special charm, despite the extensive restoration work carried out in the ^19th century, during which many medieval elements were removed. Entering this historic building is an emotional experience. The coronation throne, which dates from 1296 and stands in front of Henry VIII's chapel, is also magnificently sculpted. It was under this seat that the Stone of Scone, one of Scotland's oldest symbols, rested. A visit to the Abbey is a must if you want to discover the fascinating history of England's kings and queens: betrayals, murders and power struggles are detailed and explained, in a setting that lends itself to the imagination. Westminster is also home to the memorial tombs of illustrious Britons including Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. The famous Poet's Corner, in the Abbey's south transept, features tombs or monuments dedicated to Geoffrey Chaucer, John Keats, Lewis Carroll and, of course, Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. In all, more than 3,000 people are buried in the abbey.