If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in a foreign country without straying too far from home, London is the perfect choice! London is just 2h15 from Paris by Eurostar, for a nearby change of scenery. Read on for the must-see places in this melting pot of a city. London is a city of contrasts, where the oh-so-posh royal family coexists with the rock’n’roll, cosmopolitan spirit of Piccadilly, Soho and Covent Garden.
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
Say Hello the King
Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months, offering a unique chance to discover the treasures of the realm. Visitors have access to the State Rooms, including the Throne Room, the Drawing Room and the Picture Gallery. This is where official ceremonies and royal receptions take place. In these richly decorated rooms, you can see paintings by great masters (Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude), sculptures (Canova and Chantrey), porcelain from Sèvres, tapestries and other works of art. Some parts of the gardens are also open to the public during this time.
If you’re more interested in the crowns themselves then the people who wear them, head to the Tower of London, a UNESCO-listed heritage site, to see the Crown Jewels.
Discover the different neighbourhoods of London
There are a few different ways to get around the city. Take a famous black cab or a quintessentially British double-decker bus to see the famous billboards of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, or for something more original, try a cruise on the Thames.
Fancy seeing London from above ? Nothing beats a ride on the London Eye, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world (135 meters!), to see for miles around.
Take advantage of London’s free museums
London has a wealth of museums: the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the Victoria & Albert and the Tate museums (Modern, Britain, Liverpool, St. Ives). There truly is something for everyone, and most of them are free.
>> More information about London’s free museums
A little tip: the National Gallery often hosts classical music concerts in the evenings, amidst great works of art.
Photograph super-famous monuments
There are plenty of options for a quick selfie or a souvenir photo. Some of the most iconic sites are Tower Bridge, a bascule bridge which crosses the Thames, and the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Palace, which includes the large tower that is home to Big Ben.
For a truly majestic photo op, head to Westminster Abbey, just a stone’s throw away, which has hosted numerous coronations and royal weddings, including William and Kate’s!
Smaller, but no less British, the red phone booths also make for a fun picture! Although mobile phones are everywhere nowadays, making them largely redundant, a few phone booths remain scattered throughout the city.
Do some shopping in London
If you want to do some shopping and take advantage of the sales, Oxford Street is one of the best spots in London, where you’ll find all the big brands. For a fun visit you can enjoy no matter the weather outside, head to the magnificent Covent Garden.
Harrods is home to glamour and style, but if it’s thrift shops you’re after, you’re better off visiting Portobello Road, in the Notting Hill neighbourhood. It’s the site of one of the world’s largest and oldest flea markets, every Saturday. For something a little edgier, you can try Camden, with its famous market and unusual shops.
Live as the English do
During your weekend, take the time to appreciate a nice brunch. There’s nothing like a real English breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon and baked beans...delicious! The longstanding tradition of afternoon tea is an opportunity to relax and catch your breath in the middle of a busy day.
In nice weather, head to one of London’s many parks, such as Hyde Park, to rest, watch the ducks or take a ride in a pedalo.
