Monuments to visit Southeast

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.

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.

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 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 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....

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.

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.

This charred skeleton abandoned 50 m from the beach is none other than West Pier. Built in 1866, it was a popular spot for strollers, and later became home to a theater and concert hall. Closed in 1975 for safety reasons, it gradually fell into disrepair and was finally destroyed in 2002 by a storm and two successive fires. Its restoration was abandoned for lack of sufficient funds. In 2014 a new project was launched to breathe new life into Brighton's historic West Pier, the British Airways i360 tower, which opened in August 2016.

From the time of Henri VIII, she went down in 1545 during a Franco-English battle with 700 men on board. Its shimmering oak hull was restored, and the wharf in 1545 is reconstituted: everyday objects, canons…

Now in ruins, Canterbury Castle was built by William the Conqueror's Normans from 1070 onwards, and in the ^13th century served as a prison for the entire region. It also served as a warehouse for a gas company during its long history. Little now remains of the building, but it still offers a fine view of the surrounding area from the top of its stairs. Informative panels describe the building's past, allowing visitors to step back in time and imagine what it was like. An interesting visit, but not essential.

To the south-east of Tunbridge Wells, the tiny market town of Lamberhurst is home to this superb estate, with its Victorian mansion, small ^14th-century moated fort and picturesque 315-hectare gardens, which are a delight to explore in autumn or spring, when they're in full bloom. It's an ideal family outing, offering pleasant strolls among the rhododendrons and beautiful interiors. Guided walks are also available. A truly enchanting visit.

Wooden house of the th century. You can't visit the inside, but the outside is worth a look.

Don't make a detour, but if you pass through it, it's a square tower built in the th century, originally as the governor's fortified residence and then as a gun powder warehouse. Massive and not very elegant.

103 of these small towers were built between 1805 and 1812 to protect themselves from potential invasions of the French led by Napoleon. It is located in the east of Folkestone on the cliff edge.

Visit of a former Roman villa and discovered the crafts of the time through manual activities.

West of Freshwater Bay and Alum Bay on the B 3322. This fort was built in 1860 to protect England from the threat of a French invasion: two cannons point to the sea. From here, an underground tunnel leads to a spectacular view of "needles". A little lower, there is a shopping centre with tea and coffee salon.

From the lighthouse, it is possible to walk along the cliffs; follow the Coastal Path signs.