PALACE OF WESTMINSTER - BIG BEN
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The building that once housed royal residences now embodies the Houses of Parliament, the prestigious precinct where the UK's House of Commons and House of Lords operate.
Originally built in 1097, Westminster Hall is the oldest part of the building. The rest of the building dates back to the 19th century, after a gigantic fire destroyed much of it in 1834. Architect Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860) was commissioned to rebuild the building in a neo-Gothic style inspired by the Tudor era. Work lasted from 1840 to 1852. Today, the palace extends over 3.24 hectares and is almost 300 meters long. There are some 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 4.8 km of corridors. It also contains state apartments for the Speakers of both Houses.
On the north facade of the building, atop the clock tower (renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012), Big Ben is also one of the city's symbols. This 13.5-tonne bell stands 96 metres high and was installed in 1859. This iconic London tower is currently undergoing major renovation work. These have been the subject of numerous articles, as they are expected to cost a total of over £80 million, compared with the initial figure of £30 million. The work involves repairing damage caused by a World War II bomb, asbestos and pollution.
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Vous pourrez visiter plusieurs pièces dont la Chambre des Communes ou encore la très dorée Chambre des Lords.
Il faut réserver les billets à l'avance sur le site du Parlement. Contrôles de sécurité très strictes : il faut arriver 30 minutes avant le début de la visite.
Visite en audio-guide agréable et bien fournie en explications.