Londres classique

A first trip to historic London can seem a bit overwhelming – with well over 192 museums in London , the city alone contains four UNESCO World Heritage sites, but fear not. We’re here to help. Follow our guide to squeezing in the best bits of England’s capital into a whirlwind 48-hour trip. To make it easier, we’ve restricted everything to central London, so get your walking shoes on and let’s get exploring.

Vendredi

Soir 

Is it your first time visiting? If so, it’s worth staying close to the main meat of the action so you can make the most of your visit – ideally that will be Zone 1. The capital’s transport fare zones are set out like concentric rings, with Zone 1 being the most central. 

For this, why not book a classically luxurious break at Europe’s first grand hotel, The Langham? Its Palm Court restaurant kicked off the tradition of formal afternoon tea  (you can now get vegan and children’s afternoon tea too). Alternatively, the four-star Rembrandt in Kensington is just opposite the intriguing V&A Museum, and is just a short stroll away from Harrods.

Once you’re checked in and freshened up, it’s time to get going. Take a stroll past Big Ben (the 13.7-tonne bell is Ben, and the tower itself is the Elizabeth Tower). You might be interested to know that if you stand at the base of the tower, you will hear the chimes one-sixth of a second after the bell is struck. Head over Westminster Bridge with its beautiful lamps – the bridge is painted green to match the interior of the House of Commons.

By now you’ll have spotted some real London favourites, including: The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral boasts one of the biggest domes in the world, while you’ll be astonished at how far the quietest of voices can carry in its Whispering Gallery. You can book guided tours around some of these places too – well worth doing for the Houses of Parliament.

On the south side of the River Thames, head for the Royal Festival Hall – get there before 19:00 and you might catch the end of a free concert. Head to the third floor to the glamorous mid-century Skylon restaurant along with its centrepiece bar serving some pretty astonishing cocktails complete with views.

Not one for heights? Why not walk some 20 minutes, soak in the riverside views and take in a performance at nearby Shakespeare’s Globe. London hosted the first performance of Shakespeare at The Globe in 1599. Along with this, London boasts some 200 shows every day across a rich offering of theatres across the West End.

Samedi

08 h 45 : Visite de la Tour

Inject some bling into your morning and head to the Tower of London just before it opens at 09:00. If you get here in time, head straight for the Crown Jewels. This way you’ll dodge the crowds and still get to see the ravens (historic guardians of the ancient castle), the Beefeaters (officially, Yeoman Warders) and the jewels without being harried.

14 h 00 – High Life

Walk over London Bridge – not to be confused with Tower Bridge to discover Borough Market. This is perhaps Europe’s finest foodie’s paradise. It’s rammed with artisan market stalls, so you’ll find anything from countless cheeses to cream-filled doughnuts to die for. There’s also sit-down places here from seafood paradise the Wright Brothers to carnivore-loving Black and Blue. Lots of pubs spill onto the pavements here too, including The Wheatsheaf and The Market Porter, while the East London Liquor Company bottles and distils small batches of rum and gin. If you want to make the best of the market’s free samples of food, get here before closing at 17:00.

After you’ve had your fill, it’s time to whizz up to the top of Western Europe’s tallest building to enjoy views from The Shard’s viewing platform, 800 feet above the city. Overall, this 1,020-foot-tall skyscraper is 95 levels tall, with floor 72 being  offering London’s highest observation deck complete with wraparound views of the city’s skylines. 

15 h 00 : mettez-vous au vert

Head to nearby London Bridge where you can catch a river bus service known as Thames Clippers to Embankment. From here it’s a short walk to Covent Garden. Spend some time wandering the quaint streets and shops, take in the Royal Opera House and the street entertainers and  explore the cute, brightly coloured Neal’s Yard. Don’t forget to see the ornate market hall before walking west down Long Acre to Leicester Square to see if you can pick up last-minute discounted theatre tickets at the TKTS booth on the south side of the square.

17 h 00 : pause artistique

From here, it’s a short walk to the 200-year-old National Gallery. You could spend weeks here, but as this is a flying visit, pick up an audio tour of artistic highlights, including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to Constable’s Hay Wain. Have a cup of tea and a cake in the beautiful cafe to keep you going, before you take your seats at a West End show.

21 h 30 – Encas après le spectacle

J Sheekey, a fish and seafood restaurant tucked away on a little street near Leicester Square, is the unofficial canteen for London’s stage stars. Its pre-theatre slots are renowned for their slick service to get you to curtain-up on time. Go after the show and you may be dining with the actors themselves. Make sure you book ahead. The main restaurant is timeless, with wood panelled walls and crisp white tablecloths. For a bit of people watching, head straight for the bar.

Dimanche

08:00 – Breakfast like a king

One of the best times to see London is early on a Sunday morning, when the streets are quieter. No time for lie-ins on this tour, head to The Wolseley for Eggs Benedict or its dreamy freshly baked pastries within its glittering Viennese-style glamorous grand cafe. 

09h15 – L'heure royale

Book the first slot of the day to see the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The King's London home is a few minutes’ walk from The Wolseley through Green Park. If you’re early, take a turn around beautiful St James’s Park over the road. Take note of which flag is flying (if it’s the Royal Standard, the King is in  the building ). Time it right and you should appear from the palace just in time for the changing of the guard ceremony from 10:30. 

13 h 00 : déjeuner

It can take weeks to get an evening reservation at Heston Blumenthal’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge. It is, however, much easier to get a table at lunch. Blumenthal’s menu is influenced by British history, with dishes inspired by ancient recipes. Prepare to dig deep into your purse and you could be having the likes of octopus and lovage.

For a much more affordable option, head to the glorious cafe at the Victoria & Albert Museum – said to be the oldest museum cafe in the world. It serves from three beautiful rooms: one reflects the opulent and eclectic tastes of the Victorians and shouldn’t be missed.

15:00 – Angelic song

Most tourists take the full tour of Westminster Abbey but there’s a different way to experience one of the world’s most important and historic churches. As the site of 39 coronations   since 1066, and the burial place of many kings and queens – as well as notable figures such as Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens, it has a historic pedigree that makes it popular. However, attend the Evensong service and you’ll get to imbibe the spirit of the place thanks to one of the world’s most expert choirs. Expect to be ushered quickly out afterwards, but it’ll be something you’ll remember.

16 h 00 : mettez-vous à l'heure anglaise

Time to wander through Parliament Square. See the statues of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, and take in views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You’re also close to loads of sights from Tate Britain to the UK Supreme Court, St James’s Park and the London Eye.

17:15  – Cream tea at The Savoy 

Finish off the weekend with a pre-flight afternoon tea. The Savoy is known for its impeccable finger sandwiches, classic scones with jam and clotted cream, and some of the finest cakes in town. These wonderful snacks are served under the arresting glass-domed roof of the Thames Foyer. Booking is recommended (oh and come smart casual – no trainers or sportswear). But it’s worth it for a classic British ending to a classic London weekend.

Où séjourner

Rembrandt

Juste en face du Victoria & Albert, le Rembrandt, un hôtel quatre étoiles, est le lieu idéal pour se détendre après des journées bien remplies. Accordez-vous un moment au spa, puis allez prendre un thé à l'anglaise dans le salon.

Amba Hotel Grosvenor

Offrez-vous une escapade à l'Amba Hotel Grosvenor, un établissement quatre étoiles proche de la plupart des sites les plus emblématiques de Londres. En rentrant de vos visites de la journée, allez déguster un cocktail ou un verre de champagne au bar Reunion.

The Langham

Si vous avez envie de vous accorder une parenthèse de luxe, optez pour un séjour au Langham, pour son emplacement fabuleux, son spa somptueux et son fameux « Afternoon tea ».

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