Monuments to visit Brighton

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 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.

Soar high to see Brighton and the beautiful south coast as you glide up to 138 metres in a futuristic-looking glass capsule. Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye, the tower can accommodate up to 175 visitors. A visualization map is available, a multilingual application can be downloaded and the Sky Bar, nestled in the centre of the gondola, serves drinks throughout the flight. Free exhibition on the construction of the tower and souvenir shop. A must-see during a stay in Brighton!