Things to see and do Southeast

On this street, The Mermaid Inn (which still exists) was the rallying point for the Contrebandiers gang of smugglers. The Carriage gate was built in 1329 by Edouard III and was part of a fortifications belt at the time.

Large and long beaches border the city; bathing enthusiasts are pressing for it.

This sumptuous and surprising building in the center of Brighton was the brainchild of the eccentric prince and future king George IV. Originally a simple farmhouse, the building was bought by him to be transformed into a classical villa, where he hosted huge receptions. But it wasn't until he became regent that he thought bigger, and things took on their present scale. He commissioned architect John Nash to design a huge palace inspired by India, Asia being a fascination of the English Regency period. Work was carried out between 1815 and 1822, and today it remains the city's undeniable landmark alongside the pier on the waterfront.

Visitors will undoubtedly marvel at the overflowing imagination of the decorator and architect, who pushed fantasy to the limit. Inside, you'll feel like you're in a fairytale palace: columns, bamboo banisters, sea-serpent curtain rods, a gigantic fireplace topped with gilded palms, lacquered, sculpted, mother-of-pearl-encrusted furniture... The palms in the large kitchen match the dragons on the wallpaper in the music room, where Rossini played.

The Royal Pavilion tearoom, on the upper floor, is an eccentric and sophisticated café, with a sunny balcony on fine days overlooking the Royal Pavilion gardens. A must-see when in Brighton.

This attraction opened in 2012 in Watford, 20 miles north of London: a visit to the studios where the eight episodes of the Harry Potter saga were turned. Public enthusiasm is ensured with the visit of the trays and behind the scenes, filled with costumes and accessories. The course is complemented by comments on the secrets of shooting, or the realization of special effects. One is a tower in the Grande Salle, or behind Dumbledore's office. 

After Buckingham Palace, it is the second royal place in England, one of the main official residences of the royal family, which still comes here very regularly, usually at Easter and for a week at the end of June. The castle is located in the Thames Valley, west of London, in the city of Windsor in Berkshire. Built 900 years ago by William the Conqueror, 40 km from London, to defend its western access, Windsor Castle has been a royal residence since the 11th century. It was redesigned and enlarged many times: cloister, porte Henri VII, Saint-George chapel founded by King Edward in 1475... King Edward III of England made this chapel in Windsor the cradle of the Order of the Garter in 1348. You can admire many paintings and family portraits and an important collection of armour and weapons. As an anecdote, on 20 November 1992, an important part of the castle - including the Saint-George hall - was damaged by the fire. The fire broke out in the private chapel and caused significant damage to the northwestern part of the building. As the building had not been insured, several royal residences were open to the public in order to raise the 40 million pounds needed for repairs. Since then, the best craftsmen in Great Britain have worked on its restoration, and the work accomplished is superb. It is here that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19, 2018, in the St. George's Chapel. Another unforgettable event.

This magnificent palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a model of grandeur and architecture, typical of the great British noble residences. The Duke of Marlborough, who won the Battle of Blenheim against the French in 1704, lived in these sumptuous interiors surrounded by superb parkland. It's also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, national hero and several-time Prime Minister. An exhibition traces his life and plunges us into the intimacy of this statesman. Cafés, restaurants and stores on site.

As early as the 10th century, Salerno, Pavia, Bologna and Paris had schools of higher learning welcoming students from all over Europe. In England, on the other hand, illiteracy prevailed almost everywhere, including among the clergy. Hence the creation, in 1133, of a school of higher learning with the primary aim of training better-educated clerics. Oxford was a natural choice: the city was one of the most important in the kingdom, and great masters taught in churches or organized public readings before an audience of learned clerics. Oxford became a true university town when Henry II ordered English clerics to return from Paris. Christ Church is certainly the city's most famous and finest college. Its construction was ordered by King Henry VIII in 1546. Its ^17th-century dome jealously guards a bell called Great Tom, which strikes 101 times every evening to signal the closing of the college gates. In the main courtyard, nicknamed Tom Quad, you'll find the great hall and its famous staircase. Founded in 1525, the college chapel is also Oxford Cathedral, the smallest cathedral in England. It inspired Lewis Caroll, who taught there, to writeAlice in Wonderland, while the chapel's architecture influenced some of the fantastic settings in his famous novel. Several Harry Potter scenes were also filmed here.

A fascinating museum of anthropology and archaeology, this museum is right next to the Oxford Museum of Natural History and can be accessed through its entrance. It opened its doors in 1884, when General Pitt Rivers, an influential figure in the development of evolutionary archaeology and anthropology, decided to leave its collections to Oxford University. It is still possible to see objects from all regions of the world. It is also an educational and research institution. We love its typically Victorian atmosphere.

A must-see in southern England! Between Eastbourne and Seaford, the Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs, whose undulating summits offer beautiful walks. In addition to the cliffs, the 280-hectare site includes sublime valleys with winding rivers and paths through meadows along the coast. As well as exploring on foot, there are many other activities on offer: cycling, kayaking, volunteering with a ranger... and even an evening of stargazing. Find out more at the Visitor Centre!

Built in 1119, this medieval castle stands in the beautiful Kent countryside. Once a stronghold, Leeds Castle has since been transformed into a royal residence, with the surrounding wall demolished. The tour includes the moat, now populated by white swans, and a yew labyrinth. The building is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and houses the only known dog collar museum. You can also watch the celestial ballet of falconry birds of prey. It's a magical setting.

This garden stretches between the Stour River and the Westgate Towers. The walk is pleasant.

This great Norman fortress, partly in ruins, stands to the west of Oxford city center. The wooden fortifications on the motte castrale were replaced by stone in the ^11th century and, like many similar sites in England, the castle was largely destroyed during the English Civil War. In the ^18th century, what remained was converted into a prison. Today, guided tours take visitors into the bowels of the building to discover its varied and tormented history.

A small Franciscan chapel surrounded by a garden is nestled behind Greyfriars Guest House. Pass the double doors, move to the river and turn left before the bridge. Ideal for a quiet and relaxing stay in the city centre.

A symbol of the small town of Dover, it's one of Britain's most impressive castles. Along with the legendary White Cliffs, it's a must-see in the area. Erected on the cliffs by the Saxons, the building was altered under William the Conqueror, before Henry II rebuilt the fortifications in the ^12th century, giving it its present form. Its keep, enormous surrounding walls and underground passageways make it an extraordinary colossus, whose interest extends far beyond its medieval heritage. There's also a small military museum, reconstructed interiors and the top of the central tower, with its impressive panoramic views of Kent and France. But the highlight of the visit doesn't necessarily come from the Middle Ages, but rather from the Second World War. Ideally placed for the Battle of Britain, Dover Castle played a leading role in the conflicts and even served as headquarters, notably during Operation Dynamo, which saw the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the military tunnels, with guided tours scheduled throughout the day. You can also explore the hospital in the same way. The rest of the site also features the First World War command post and, above all, the two doyens of the castle: the Saxon chapel Church of St Mary in Castro and the Roman Lighthouse, which dates back to the invasion of the country in 43 AD.

Magdalen College, on the banks of the river, is recognizable by its 15th century tower from which, every May ^1st at 6am, a choir begins a 17th century Eucharistic hymn, while the students meet down on the bridge after a night of festivities. It was founded in 1448. It is also the only college to have a deer park within it. A cruel legend has it that there are as many fallow deer in the park as there are teachers in the college. Every time a teacher leaves his post, a deer is killed. To be checked anyway....

As it flows through Oxford, the Thames River is known as the Isis River. Indeed, Thames comes from the Latin tamisis. Oxford's residents stroll along its banks, either by bike or on foot. Ideal for a picnic or simply to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, watching the oars go by. Access via Park End, Magdalen Bridge or Abingdon Road off St Aldate's Street.

Founded in 1683, it was the first museum open to the public in England. Works of art and archaeology are displayed in a light and airy building. This unjustly overlooked museum presents a fantastic panorama of the history of human civilization, with its first-rate collections and contemporary museography. On the^3rd floor, there are several paintings by the masters of Impressionism and their followers. A collection of paintings by Walter Sickert and the Camden Town Group offers a contemporary vision of English painting.

Erected in the ^14th century, Carfax Tower is well worth a visit for the view it affords of the city from its 23-metre height. No building in Oxford is allowed to surpass it in height, making it an important landmark in the city. The tower is all that remains of St. Martin's Church, built in the ^12th century. The term "Carfax" means "crossroads" in English, as the tower is located near the site of Oxford's former main crossroads, which was a strategic focal point in the historic city.

Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Church and is the undisputed emblem of the city and a spiritual centre for many believers around the world. It is one of the unmistakable landmarks of southern England, which will delight history lovers. In the rest of the country, only a few other religious buildings can boast of such renown, such as the cathedrals of York, Westminster or St Paul's. The church dedicated to St Augustine, which stood here before, was destroyed in a fire in 1067 and the present colossus was erected between 1070 and 1503. Impressive, imposing, fascinating, there is no shortage of adjectives to describe its historical interest, which is based on a mixture of several architectural styles, including an excellent example of perpendicular Gothic. The Romanesque crypt is the only remaining vestige of the 11th century and remains one of the highlights of the visit. It was on the steps leading up to it that the famous Archbishop Thomas Beckett was assassinated by the knights of Henry II in 1170. Canterbury Cathedral also contains the tombs of Edward, the Black Prince, hero of the Hundred Years' War, as well as Henry IV and Joan of Navarre, topped by their recumbent figures. Don't miss the frescoes in the Saint Gabriel Chapel (12th century), the stained glass windows in the Trinity Chapel depicting the life of Saint Thomas Beckett (13th century), the clock in the transept, the mosaic and the curved escutcheons in the floor behind the altar, the cloister and the chapter house.

The UK's largest university library contains more than 9 million books. Many personalities have studied within its walls: 5 kings, 40 Nobel Prize winners and 25 English Prime Ministers, and writers Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Sir Thomas Bodley built the first wing in 1602. To see, The Old Schools Quadrangle, square square at the entrance, The Divinity School, The Medieval Duke's Humfrey's Library, used for the films Harry Potter, The Radcliffe Camera, first rotunda library built in Britain.