Things to see and do London

Standing 96 m tall, Big Ben is the 13.5-tonne bell atop the Elizabeth Tower, the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Originally named "The Great Bell", the origin of its current name remains unclear. Although never officially christened, it is nicknamed Big Ben by Londoners, "although we can't quite work out why". Many theories exist; one favorite is that it was christened "Victoria" during a ceremony in honor of the queen of the same name. However, the inauguration speech was so long that one of the audience members exclaimed, "Just call her Big Ben and get it over with! The other theory is that the name refers to Benjamin Hall, the civil engineer in charge of casting the bell, who was nicknamed Big Ben because of his size. Following the fire of 1835, which destroyed part of the parliament building, architect Charles Barry decided to incorporate the famous bell into the design, which rang for the first time on May 31, 1859 after being moved sixty meters. The imposing bell of the Palace of Westminster punctuates London's days with its famous chimes. Completed in 1859, the clock tower is a national symbol and a source of pride and admiration both day and night. It is one of London's most photographed landmarks. Since 2003, Big Ben has been leaning dramatically, tilting a little more each year. In 2012, it began to show with the naked eye. You can see the tilt by standing in Parliament Square and looking east towards the River Thames. As yet, no decision has been taken to stop the tilt. However, in June 2012, following a proposal by the Conservative Party, it was agreed that the tower should be renamed Elizabeth Tower, in honor of the Queen, who has sat on the throne for 60 years. There is a miniature reproduction of Big Ben next to Victoria Station, Little Ben, between Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Between August 2017 and November 2022, Big Ben stopped ringing due to renovation work. The challenge was enormous: 5 years and £80 million invested to renovate this absolute landmark of the UK capital. Now, like a sleeping creature now awake, the tower and its bell stand once more in all their splendor.

North of Trafalgar Square, the museum, located in a large neoclassical building, houses one of the most beautiful collections of paintings in the world by Western European masters. Divided into four wings, the collections, more than 2,000 works, are chronologically classified: from the 13th to the 15th century, from the 16th to the 18th century and the 20th century.
Among the artists present, we can mention the Italian masters: Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio; the Spaniards: El Greco, Velázquez, Goya; the English: Hogarth, Gainsborough, Turner; the French: Le Lorrain, Poussin, Watteau... Even if we advise you to take your time in one of the most beautiful museums in Europe, you may have to go to the essential for want of time. Here is a quick memo of the essentials so you don't miss a thing!

The Husbands Arnolfini by Jan Van Eyck. 1434. Room 56. This painting depicts a rich merchant and his wife, in a bourgeois interior meticulously detailed. While the issue of the wife's pregnancy has caused much ink to flow in the art history community, the curators at the National Gallery tend to dismiss this idea. It is a very beautiful rendering of the play of light and the miniaturization of details (reflections in the mirror).

The Baptism of Christ of Piero della Francesca. Around 1450. Room 66. This panel was the central element of a polyptych. It is one of the artist's first works.

Venus and Mars of Botticelli. Around 1485. Room 58. Mars, the god of war, was one of the lovers of Venus, the goddess of Love. The painting shows Mars asleep and unarmed beside Venus awake and alert, symbol of the Love that overcomes all. This work was probably intended to decorate a room.

The Virgin at the Rock of Leonardo da Vinci. Between 1491 and 1508. Room E. The work is commissioned by the brotherhood of the Milanese Immaculate Conception. If the painting does not seem to refer directly to the Immaculate Conception, it is typically in the style of subjects that Leonardo painted such as St. John the Baptist, themes that were then very popular.

The Burial of Michelangelo. 1501. Room 8. This unfinished painting shows the Christ carried to be placed in his tomb. The painting was a priori intended for the church of San Agostino in Rome and was never delivered. We recognize Michelangelo's style, which is similar to other works of the same period.

The Emmaus Supper of the Caravaggio. 1601. Room 32. On their way to Emmaus, two disciples of Jesus Christ met the risen Messiah without recognizing him. Christ is shown here during supper, when he breaks bread and the disciples realize who he is. Le Caravage innovates in the treatment of the subject, and the intensity of the characters is remarkable, accentuated by their gestures and expressions.

The Rokeby Venus of Velasquez. 1647-1651. Room 30. This is the only example we have of a female nude painted by Velázquez. Venus, goddess of Love, was considered as the personification of feminine beauty. She is shown here with her son Cupid. The work is surely a commission for the Marquis de Carpio, Prime Minister of Spain.

For the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, don't miss Les Baigneurs à la grenouillère by Monet, Les Tournesols by Van Gogh, Le Dernier Voyage du Téméraire by Turner and La Charette de hoin by Constable.

A visit to Tate Britain is a must if you want to discover the great British artists. This museum boasts an ever-expanding collection of British and international art, now numbering over 70,000 works. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your visit. It is one of the four main sites of the Tate.Originally called the National Gallery of British Art, it had only one site and housed a small collection of British art. The project was initiated by Sir Henry Tate, sugar magnate and art lover, who decided to donate his works to the British nation. Due to lack of space, the National Gallery was unable to accommodate this art collection, and so the project was born to create a museum open to the public, including Henry Tate's gift as well as other works by British artists from various collections. In 1892, the site of a former prison, Millbank Penitentiary, was chosen as the location for the new National Gallery of British Art, under the direction of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Architect Sidney R. J. Smith took charge of refurbishing the building, opting for a neo-Byzantine style of architecture, recognizable by its arcades and central dome. In 1897, the Tate opened its doors to the public, displaying 245 works in eight rooms by British artists from the Renaissance to the present day. The result is the most important collection of British art, spanning 500 years of creativity and featuring the work of the most famous artists, including William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, Francis Bacon, William Blake, Frederic Leighton, John Constable, Antony Gormley, Henri Moore, David Hockney... In 1932, the gallery officially adopted the name Tate Gallery. These collections were later enriched by the National Collection of Modern Art, mixing ancient and modern art until the decision was taken to split the collections in two. Renamed "Tate Britain" in March 2000 to coincide with the launch of the Tate Modern, it is also known for its many Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is also home to the largest collection of works by Joseph William Mallord Turner, Britain's best-known painter (over 300 oils, watercolors and drawings). Tate Britain also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions and organizes the Turner Prize, the prestigious and often controversial competition for modern art.

This vast museum traces the history of London over 2,000 years. Highly interactive, it allows you to discover all the major stages in the city's construction, its evolution, its history and its customs. Following a chronological trail, with a succession of picturesque anecdotes, you can follow the course of history. From the arrival of the Romans to the Black Death of the ^14th century, which killed some 50 million people throughout Europe, including almost half of London's population; from the second plague in 1665 to the Great Fire of 1666, which can be seen in an animated reconstruction. At the turn of a room, a bay window offers an exceptional view of part of the Roman fortifications that once surrounded the City (London Wall). Then it's time for the Victorian era, as a whole district is recreated, with its stores, cobbled streets and you, the onlooker! A splendid 1930s car, surrounded by period dresses, pulls you into modernity, and you're projected into the Swinging London of the 1960s. Plenty to discover! This museum is one of our favorites for its modern, playful scenography.

An annex of the museum, Museum of London Docklands, can be visited in East London, on West India Quay. Here, we retrace the city's great port history, through the renovation of 200-year-old warehouses and docks. A fascinating visit that plunges us into the heart of several centuries of trade, migration and commerce.

London Dungeon reproduces the perilous past of the London capital and revives frightening characters. The attraction covers several themes and features, among others, the famous barbershop of Sweeny Todd, the streets of Whitechapel with the meeting of Jack the Ripper and the London fire. The tour includes two thrill rides: the boat ride to Traitors Gate in the dark and the Drop Ride, a fall into the void. The Dungeon includes real actors, special effects and two rides.

A resolutely modern museum that presents new design and architectural innovations every year. Since November 2016, the museum has moved to Kensington, in the museum district. In the abundant permanent exhibition entitled "Designer, Maker, User", you can discover models, plans and videos that testify to the ingenuity of today's designers and the spectacular evolution of shapes and materials. More than 1,000 pieces are presented. We really like the different screens of this exhibition which allow the youngest (and not only) to try their hand at the art of design and to understand its stakes. The section on London transport is also particularly successful. Or the showcase on the evolution of our computers, from the first MacBook to today. And finally, our favorite is this amusing wall covered with objects characteristic of our time, present at the entrance of the permanent exhibition: the panels of the Tube, the famous blue bag from Ikea, our Stan Smith... Have fun recognizing the objects that populate your daily life, and exhibitions also aim to showcase the work of young designers who participate in the Designer of the Year competition. Temporary exhibitions are always sharp and original. And the various themes: the couturier Azzedine Alaïa, the houses of the future, Stanley Kubrick, Ferrari, life in March... Don't miss out on a visit to the museum's shop, filled with design and cool objects.

It is one of London's most popular attractions, attracting no fewer than three million visitors every year. To return to the origins of the site, we need to understand who Madame Tussauds is. This Frenchwoman from Toulouse, whose real name was Marie Grosholtz, moved to London after the Revolution with something unusual in her luggage: wax casts of guillotined aristocrats. Since then, you don't have to go through the guillotine to feature in the museum - fortunately, you just have to be famous! Madame Tussauds museums are now to be found all over the world. Classified by theme, the rooms reveal all the personalities, contemporary or otherwise, of cinema, culture, sport, fashion, social networks and political leaders. These include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, the Beatles, David Beckham and Beyoncé. For a complete immersion experience, you'll meet the kingdom's most glamorous couple, William and Kate, as well as the entire royal family! The Spirit of London tour takes you aboard a cab to discover London's history. The tour continues with the Marvel superheroes section, featuring a ten-minute 4D film, specially created by Marvel for Madame Tussauds. The tour continues with an immersion in scenes from the original Star Wars films. A visit that will appeal to young and old alike.

Go ^City® offers two types of pass to visit London's best sites at lower cost. The All-Inclusive Pass (day pass) gives you access to over 90 activities and visits. The most cost-effective way to see as much of the city as possible! For greater flexibility, the Explorer Pass (activity-based package) gives you 60 days to enjoy as many activities as you like. The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The Shard and many more are all included in a single pass on the Go ^City® mobile app.

Kew Palace, Kensington Palace, The Banqueting House, Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, six royal institutions that have witnessed the history of England and its famous royal family for hundreds of years. Historic Royal Palaces is an independent association dedicated to preserving and promoting these six historic sites. There are even opportunities for visits in French for those who do not have a good command of Shakespeare's language. Their objective: to make this rich history known to as many people as possible.