Monuments to visit London

A former power station with a brick building and emblematic chimneys, featured on the cover of a Pink Floyd album in particular, it is an Art Deco masterpiece created in the 1930s. Since its closure in the 1980s, Battersea Power Station had been abandoned, despite several rehabilitation projects. It has now been transformed not only into a shopping center, but also into a theater, concert hall, bar and cinema! A beautiful cultural space, where you can relax and have a good time.

This seemingly ordinary house contains a treasure trove of history. It was in this pretty Georgian building that a French Huguenot family took refuge in 1744, following Catholic persecution of Protestants in the second half of the ^16th century. They integrated into English society thanks to their talent for the textile trades, and their skills as dressmakers and weavers. In 1869, the Jewish community built a synagogue on the site of the garden where the children of the Ogier family once played. The synagogue is still there, and it's extraordinary to walk through the door of this seemingly anonymous little house and find such a religious edifice.

The building, after years of neglect, is in a rather dilapidated state and in need of financial support. The building has become a cultural center in the Spitalfields district, with the vocation of becoming a museum of immigration to London through the ages. For these reasons, the house is only open exceptionally throughout the year, by reservation and only for group visits. Admission is free, but a donation is more than welcome to help with the work and support all those involved in preserving and restoring this fabulous piece of history. You'll learn many fascinating things during your visit. A timeless and simply magical place for those lucky enough to visit!

In April 2012, this old three-masted ship, famous throughout England, reopened her doors, giving herself a new lease of life. Built in 1869 and 85 m long, she once carried tea from India to the UK. It is the last surviving witness to this era. Discovering her interior takes you back in time. You'll become a real sailor plying the worn decks that sailed the oceans over a century ago. Explore the hold where precious merchandise was stored. A great visit with children.

Norman Foster has done it again! Here, he has imagined a glass building on the banks of the Thames to house London's City Hall. How would you describe it? It's as if a glass egg had been hit by a giant tornado... Take a tour and see for yourself. Don't miss the interior of City Hall either: the spiral staircase is simply astonishing. Take a break at the Kitchen Café and enjoy this surprising place, which has been a symbol of modern London since its creation in 2002.

The palace was built by Inigo Jones in 1616, and was one of the first classical style buildings in England, known as the Palladian style. It was Anne of Denmark, wife of James I, who commissioned the architect to build the building. However, it was not completed until 1635, and Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, was the first to occupy it. Despite some modifications, the Palladian style is still visible. Inside, a collection of works of art on the theme of the navy and the sea. Don't miss the magnificent spiral staircase.

The Foot Tunnel is a walking tunnel that runs under the Thames River and connects the two banks of the river. It was built by civil engineer Alexander Binnie in 1899 and opened in 1902. It allows you to reach Greenwich from the docks without taking the ferry and was mainly used at the time for workers. It is about 300 m long and 15 m deep, an elevator allows you to go down, but it is not in operation all the time and in this case you have to go down about a hundred steps and go up as many on the other side.

A must-see place, both for its architecture and history - the hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria - and for the quality of its classical, or less classical, music programming, children's shows and even circus shows. The most: exhibitions in the hall and guided tours, but also six places to eat and fourteen points to quench your thirst. Plan at least half a day to discover this site. In the summer, don't miss the BBC Proms, which are largely held there.

The changing of the guard takes place at 11 a.m. Monday to Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The new guard leaves Wellington Barracks and passes through Birdcage Walk, Constitution Hill and The Mall. This ^18th-century building has its entrance porch watched over by two royal guards, who must neither smile nor address the public. This tradition is slightly less popular than the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The patience of the horses is equally admirable.

Kensington Palace was the home of Lady Di, nicknamed Princess of Hearts by the English, and when her death was announced in 1997, a sea of bouquets of flowers filled the palace gardens. Kensington Palace then remained open for 24 hours straight, to welcome the 136,000 people who came to mourn the princess' death. In addition to Diana, a number of other royal figures or those close to royalty have had a connection with Kensington Palace. Queen Victoria was born here in 1819, spent her childhood here and, at the age of 18, learned that she was to become Queen of England. Today, the palace is home to Prince William and his family.

Grand rooms of the state apartments:

The King's Staircase is the first link in the circuit of rooms that make up the King's State Apartments. All the great and good of London in Georgian times would have climbed these stairs to visit the King.

The Presence Chamber is the room where the monarch received courtiers, ministers and foreign ambassadors.

The Privy Chamber was one of Queen Caroline's favorite entertainment areas. See the magnificent ceiling painted by William Kent in 1723, as well as the impressive tapestries.

The Cupola Room is the most magnificently decorated room in the palace. In the King's Gallery, William III played soldiers with his little nephew, and it was here that the king caught a cold, leading to his death in 1702.

It is now possible to climb to the top of the dome! The experience lasts 90 minutes, you climb thanks to a footbridge suspended two meters above the roof. At the top, the 360° view is spectacular. The opportunity to discover London in a different way and to see the historic Greenwich, Olympic Park and Canary Wharf. On a clear day, you can see up to 20 kilometres away. Different types of ascents are possible such as the "Sunset Climb" (at sunset) or the "Twilight Climb" (at dusk).

Apsley House was the home of the Duke of Wellington, famous for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After the battle, he even had a room built to celebrate the victory. A touch of English humor: this is where you'll find Canova's colossal nude statue of Napoleon. As this work was not to the emperor's taste, it was kept away from the official residences and eventually ended up in the home of his fatal enemy. Inside, you can admire period furniture and the Duke's art collection.

The father of psychoanalysis arrived in England in 1938 after fleeing Austria to escape the Nazis. He settled in this house and lived there for 18 months, until his death in 1939. It was here that he continued to write Malaise in Civilization. His daughter Anna occupied the house until 1986, and it was on her death and in accordance with her wishes that the premises were transformed into a museum. The tour revolves around Freud's library and study, and features the books he used and his collectables. The highlight of the tour: the famous couch!

The Prime Minister's residence, number 10, has been located in this little street perpendicular to Whitehall since 1732. Following renovation in 1902, it also became the Prime Minister's principal residence. The building has not been open to visitors since Margaret Thatcher forbade it. The famous facade, seen over and over again on the news, can be seen behind a gate. Following Boris Johnson's resignation in 2022, Rishi Sunak is living in the building at the time of writing.

This historic market, just next to the DLR station, has existed for more than three centuries. In the three sections gathered, you can buy food, antiques, vintage and trendy clothes, furniture, ethnic accessories... Around the market, many restaurants and bars allow you to stop for a drink or a snack, just to take a break. It is a lively and animated place, with a village market atmosphere. A must stop for lunch when visiting Greenwich.

For those nostalgic for the Beatles, a short detour to the St John's Wood district will allow you to see Abbey Road Studios still in operation and where the Beatles' presence remains tenacious. Pilgrimage for unconditional fans, because there is nothing to see or do except for the mythical photo of the pedestrian crossing slightly below on the eponymous album - be careful, there may even be a line to pass over the famous white stripes. If you want to bring back a souvenir, go to the Beatles Store on Baker Street instead.

Spencer House, the historic family home of Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997), is one of London's most ambitious aristocratic residences and one of the last intact examples of an ^18th-century palace. Built between 1756 and 1766 by architects John Vardy and James "the Athenian" Stuart, it is a fine example of Palladian architecture. Inside, you'll find a fine collection of paintings and decorative objects, including five works by Benjamin West, graciously lent by Her Majesty the Queen.

A center of government since the Middle Ages and dating back to the ^15th century, Guildhall Great Hall has played an important role in royal history. Many state trials have also taken place here, including that of Lady Jane in 1553. The imposing medieval hall, adorned with stained glass windows, pays tribute to national heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill. Built in 1411, the building survived the Great Fire of London and is the only medieval stone structure dating from this period. It houses a gallery and bookshop.

The magnificent colorful structure housing the UK's largest wholesale meat market was renovated a few years ago after long and heated debate. If you're a meat lover, you'll have to come at around 7am to see the market in full swing: meat, poultry, wholesale game... All in a typical, noisy and bustling atmosphere! Guided tours are available on reservation. There has been a market on the site for over 800 years. Today's market has been extensively modernized. A great local experience.

This house was the home of Victorian writer and historian Thomas Carlyle and his wife from 1834 to 1881. It quickly became a social event in the literary world. Other Victorian personalities such as Charles Dickens or Alfred Tennyson also frequented the area. You will see the couple's kitchen, dining room, drawing room and bedroom, preserved as they are, as well as the garden where you can imagine the writer in meditation... And discover a true Victorian house.

You will need to be well organized not to miss this visit, which takes place only one hour a day. The building built in 1737 is the place where Lenin had an office from 1902 to 1903, publishing 17 editions of the Bolshevik newspaper Iskra. This office is maintained as it was at the time and can still be visited. The library itself was opened in 1933 to mark the 50th anniversary of Karl Marx's death. It gathers a beautiful collection of books on the history of Marxism, socialism and social movements.

These magnificent market halls date back to the ^14th century. More than just a place to shop, it's a real monument to be visited, as it's one of London's oldest markets. In the ^19th century, the stone building was replaced by a magnificent arcaded structure combining wrought iron and glass, giving a unique atmosphere to the market, which is now spacious and bright. Stroll through the aisles and stores and take a break in one of the charming little cafés. For the curious, the market was the setting for the first Harry Potter film.

Here's a chance to relive the district's glorious literary past, with a visit to the home of the great Romantic poet John Keats, whose life was as short (25 years) as it was productive. It was in this house that he spent his last two years and, despite the tuberculosis that weakened him, wrote his most famous verses. Here you can discover an important collection of manuscripts, books and annotated letters, not forgetting the engagement ring that Fanny, his bride, continued to wear until her death.

The most beautiful view of the Royal Naval College is on the other side of the Thames: you can admire the view of the buildings. The first part, the oldest, was built by John Webb, Inigo Jones' nephew and assistant, in the 1660s at the request of Charles II, who wanted a new palace. The project was abandoned due to financial obstacles and it was King William III and his wife who transformed the site into a hospital for wounded sailors. The construction of the building was entrusted to Christopher Wren and completed by Hawksmoor and then by Vanbrugh.

Commissioned in 1692 by King Charles II, this beautiful building was built by Christopher Wren and was used to rescue veterans wounded during the war. This mission is still relevant today. The museum traces the history of these residents from the 17th century to the present day. The entrance hall is dedicated to the Duke of Wellington and features articles about George Jones and the Battle of Waterloo (1820). He also has a contemporary painting of Queen Elizabeth II by Andrew Festing (1998). It is here that the Chelsea Flower Show is held every May.

It is the most famous criminal court in the country where the greatest trials take place, such as that of Oscar Wilde in 1895. The Old Bailey was built on the site of the former Newgate prison, one of the most terrible of its time. On the roof, with a sword in one hand and a balance in the other, the allegorical statue of Justice looks towards the Place de Grève, where the executions took place in the past. If major high-profile trials take place during your stay, you will need to get up early. Several guided tours are organized.

The British Library collects every text published in England. It has 325 km of shelving and can hold no fewer than 12 million books. Permanent exhibition rooms showcase historical documents such as the Magna Carta and the Gutenberg Bible, as well as literary documents such as the complete works of Shakespeare, dating from 1623, and the handwritten and illustrated copy ofAlice in Wonderland that Lewis Carroll gave to Alice Liddell, the little girl who inspired him to write the book. But also texts by the Beatles.

This is the only house you'll be able to visit in this neighborhood, which is home to many examples of modernist architecture, and was designed by architect Ernö Goldfinger in 1939 for himself and his family. At the time, the area attracted many artists, including architects, who had their homes built in an avant-garde style. The tour takes in the interior, which has been left untouched and houses a fine collection of modern art, including works by Henry Moore, Bridget Riley and Max Ernst.

The Inns of Court are professional training institutions for lawyers who come to study here. London has four Inns of Court: Inner Temple (King's Bench Walk), Middle Temple (Middle Temple Lane), Lincoln's Inn (Lincoln's Inn Field) and Gray's Inn (Gray's Inn Road). In addition to their role in the training of lawyers, they also supervise the profession. Each barrister (lawyer) belongs to one of these schools. Barristers wear the traditional white wigs and only they are authorized to defend or prosecute the accused and to plead in court. Since the 13th century, the Inns of Court have strictly controlled admission to the English bar and those who wish to become barristers must still study at one of the four Inns of Court today. The system is actually a kind of patronage, in that it is difficult to become a barrister without a network of good contacts. These venerable and traditionalist institutions are built around a central courtyard, modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge colleges. The Inns of Court are a collection of passages, courtyards and lawns of undeniable charm. Lincoln's Inn is the oldest and certainly the most beautiful with its Tudor-style gate and chapel dating back to 1623. Famous figures such as Thomas More, Oliver Cromwell and Margaret Thatcher studied there. Just next door is Lincoln's Inn Field, London's largest square, built in 1640.

St James Palace is one of the oldest palaces in London. Commissioned by Henry VIII in 1530, it was built in 3 years between 1553 and 1556 in the Tudor style and was built around four courts: Ambassadors' Court, Engine Court, Friary Court and Colour Court. In 1558, it was within the palace that Mary Tudor signed the treaty that returned the city of Calais to France. Henry VIII's children died there, the first in 1536, an illegitimate son of the king, and Marie Tudor whose remains lie in Westminster Abbey with her half-sister. Charles II and James II were both born and baptized in St. James, as were Mary of York (Mary II), Anne of York (Queen Anne) and James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Suitor). It was the residence of British rulers from 1698, when the Whitehall Palace was destroyed by fire, and remained the royal residence for nearly three centuries, until Queen Victoria's arrival on the throne in 1837. William IV was the last ruler to reside at the Palace of St James. After his death, and until 1939, certain court decisions were still held at the Palais de Saint-James. It is also within the royal chapel that Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840. The building still houses members of the royal family, Prince Charles and his sons lived there. The large apartments contain many furnishings and an interesting range of royal portraits from the time of Henry VIII.

One of London's oldest markets, resurrected today to offer fresh, organic and quality products. The stands will whet your appetite with stalls of fish and seafood, cheese, fresh milk, breads and cakes, meat... The market also sells clothes including vintage clothes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, cosmetics, jewellery... After a morning of shopping, let yourself be tempted by a short break in one of the many bars in the district. Good plan for the mornings, some stands open before 9am.

Separated by a wall and 200 years old, 23 and 25 Brook Street are the homes of two musicians who chose London as their home. Handel House was opened to the public in 2001. The museum is housed in the home of German-born composer Georg Friedrich Handel. Hendrix's space has been restored as it was when he lived there (1968-69). A permanent exhibition presents Hendrix's place in the musical and social world of 1960s London.

Built in 1866 by George Aitchison, this sumptuous house is the home and studio of Sir Frederic Leighton, a painter and sculptor at the Royal Academy of which he was president in 1878. One of the most fascinating rooms is the magnificent entrance hall decorated entirely with mosaics in an oriental style, sumptuous! The other rooms feature works by the artist and some of his friends. Temporary exhibitions and guided tours are organized throughout the year, so you can learn more!

This gallery presents works from the Royal Collection. Major themed exhibitions are organized to showcase these collections, which are three times larger than those of the National Gallery... They cover all the arts and all eras. Designed by John Nash, the Queen's Gallery was modelled on the other two conservatories at Buckingham Palace, and adopts the architecture of the Ionic temples, on the south-west corner of the palace overlooking the garden. It was completed in 1831. In 1997, John Simpson & Partners were chosen to extend and modernize the pavilion. The new entrance portico uses the Doric order derived from Greek architecture, as John Nash had done in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace. On the gallery level, two friezes symbolize the Queen's reign and four panels represent the patron saints of the United Kingdom, created by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart. The expansion of the Queen's Gallery was the most significant addition to Buckingham Palace in 150 years. The project involved stonemasons, wood and plaster carvers, copper and bronze workers, specialist carpenters, blacksmiths, specialist painters and cabinetmakers. The Queen's Gallery was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in May 2002, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It hosts a program of temporary exhibitions, featuring masterpieces from the Royal Collection.

As you stroll through the grounds of Hampstead Heath, you'll come across Kenwood House, a sumptuous ^18th-century mansion once owned by the Earl of Mansfield. In 1925, the house was bought by beer magnate Edward Cecil Guiness, who installed his art collection here, including several paintings by British masters, as well as a set of four canvases by François Boucher, a self-portrait by Rembrandt, and works by Van Dyck and Vermeer. Outside, the beautiful English garden plunges into the park.