Two days in London, we fill up on energy in the English capital

Welcome to London, welcome to the world!

No offense to Brexiters, the English capital, which brings together more than 50 nationalities, continues to cultivate the multicultural and hospitable energy that gives it its charm.

Proclaimed the best destination in the world by Tripadvisor, due to many positive reviews, London attracts as much for its festive and eccentric side as for its folklore, its historical heritage and its famous royal family.

The arrival

The Eurostar drops you off centrally, but if you're arriving at one of London's airports, don't rush on taxis and Express trains, such as the Gatwick Express.

Think national and commuter trains like the Southern and Thameslink, as well as

buses (and underground from Heathrow).

While they can be a little slower, they are often just as regular, and sometimes up to half the price, especially if you book early enough.

Move

No more paper tickets!

Invest in an Oyster Card (€8.10) – the London transport and airport transfer card – which you credit (Pay as you go) or use your contactless bank card.

As long as your commission rate abroad is low, or you have a Revolut type card, payment by contactless bank card is more advantageous.

You do not have to credit your card and, after a certain number of single journeys per day/week paid for with the same card, Transport for London caps your fare instead of debiting your card on a case-by-case basis (€2.90 per trip Metro).

Same with an Oyster Card or Visitor Oyster Card (€5.80).

This can be ordered at

For stays of more than a week and including a lot of trips in multiple areas of London, prefer a real Oyster Card on which you can electronically load a weekly or monthly package (Travelcard), more economical than the caps in Pay as you go.

More info:

visitlondon.com

What to see, what to do right now in London

THE EXHIBITION TO SEE

African Fashion

A kaleidoscope of patterns at Lagos Fashion Week 2019. A photo exhibited as part of

at the V&A.

Stephen Tayo - Lagos Fashion Week

Africa is chic… and always trendier.

Just look at yesterday's collections by Saint Laurent and Mugler or today's catwalks at Balmain.

But the ties uniting the continent and fashion were forged a long time ago, as this exhibition, the first dedicated to the subject by the

, recounts .

It is part of a movement of recognition of colonialism in the acquisition of many objects from the museum and is interested in the outfits that have marked history, as well as the talents and personalities who wear / wore the colors of fashion. African.

The result is a flamboyant patchwork of fascinating photos, videos, clothing and information, especially on traditional textiles,

(

) which symbolize respectively the independence of Ghana and Nigeria.

Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road London SW7 2RL.

Until April 16, 2023. Admission €18.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Such.

: +44 207 942 2000.

GOOD TABLE

BAO Noodle Shop Shoreditch

If the Bao madness has taken hold of London, it's thanks to the Chang-Chung-Chung trio who revisit Taiwanese street-food with a chic tapas sauce.

In 2013, their baos began to sell... like hot cakes in a pop-up in Hackney, leading to a permanent table in Soho, spotted by the Michelin guide.

There followed several BAO openings in the four corners of the city with different specialties.

In Shoreditch, the star is the beef noodle soup and its vegan versions, even if the baos are always in the game, with the bonus of a karaoke in the basement.

Dishes from €13, baos from €6.50.

BAO Noodle Shop Shoreditch, 1 Redchurch Street, London E1 6JJ.

Open every day, from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

THE HOTEL IN VIEW

One Hundred Shoreditch

A room in the sky of the City, the Studio Suite at One Hundred Shoreditch.

One Hundred Shoreditch / Press Photo

This is a 100% Shoreditch hotel, since it has everything from the trendy east London district, right down to its address: 100 Shoreditch High Street.

Ideally located, close to Old Street, Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street stations, this four-star hotel is a stone's throw from many markets (Brick Lane, Spitalfields, Flower Market) and great restaurants (BAO, Brawn, Casa do Frango) and once housed the Ace Hotel.

Its 258 spacious rooms and its Scandinavian decor, punctuated with Berber notes, offer a soothing nest in a thrilling corner.

Whether you put your suitcases there or not, the hotel is worth a detour for a drink with a view of the City, perched on the rooftop.

Without forgetting its cocktail bar, The Seed Library by Mr Lyan, just one of the best bartenders in the world.

From €240 in a double room.

One Hundred Shoreditch, 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ.

Day

1: Regent's Canal to the Thames

Morning

Start your visit at

, the best-connected hub in the country, ideal for getting anywhere.

This district with a sulphurous past has been transformed into a popular cosmopolitan destination, following the renovation of the old Victorian industrial complex on Regent's Canal.

Its beating heart –

and its dancing fountains – is surrounded by trendy canteens.

At breakfast, try the cloud of scrambled eggs from

, king of Australian brunches, or the famous bacon nan roll from Indian Dishoom.

Next door, the

shopping center has chic and cool lifestyle and fashion boutiques, like Tom Dixon and Rains.

From there, stroll along the canal, dotted with sights including the floating bookstore

, or discover the millions of treasures of the

: from Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks to Beatles manuscripts.

Lunch break

For lunch, head to Borough Market, the Shard is home to gourmet markets including Maltby Street Market.

Adobe Stock

For lunch, head to

, open daily at London Bridge.

In place since 1014, the belly of London brings together hundreds of producers and restaurateurs including

, one of the best

in the city, and even in the United Kingdom since it was rewarded with the very serious "National Fish & Chip Awards" of 2020. This perimeter dominated by the

- gigantic stalagmite skyscraper – is home to gourmet markets including

.

It is located in Bermondsey, where there are also about fifteen microbreweries, the opportunity to try the beerathon of the "

 ".

The majority of breweries open their doors to the public on Saturdays, so bet on this day to visit as many as possible, or prefer a Thursday to avoid the crowds.

Afternoon

A mega shopping center in the “turbine halls” of Battersea Power Station.

Michel Figuet / Le Figaro Magazine

If you are more thirsty for culture, head for

, the south bank of the Thames.

Walk west from Borough Market and see the architecture of the many famous buildings that line the river and tell the story of London: from the Tudors with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, to the brutalism of the formidable

, to the industrial era in the former power station housing the

.

Arrived at the

cross the river to see

and

or continue to the transformed

, bustling with activity.

Read alsoIn London, the Battersea Power Station electrifies the capital

Aperitif and dinner

Take the tube to Oxford Circus and stop by the

store , known for its floral prints.

For aperitif in

, you are spoiled for choice.

We recommend a pint at

, a superb pub frequented by De Gaulle and Bacon, or a Marsala Martini (Beefeater gin, Marsala dolce, vermouth, almond bitters) at

, a small iconic Italian spot of magician mixologist Tony Conigliaro – if you are more of a morning person, their coffee is also worth a visit.

Then dine on champagne, obtained by pressing a bell, at

, which serves British dishes of Russian inspiration in a sparkling 1920s decor. More classic, the unmissable

will delight fish lovers and small budgets with a menu that changes with the seasons.

Evening

Oxford Circus and its department stores, the right place for some bright Christmas shopping.

Later, we stay in the neighborhood to enjoy the evening.

Jamie Davies

The

is entertainment heaven.

Take the opportunity to see a musical (the hilarious

and, with the children,

or

) or discover new talent at the Soho Theatre.

In a jazzy mood?

Head to legendary club Ronnie Scott's in Soho or Dalston (

) to audiophile listening bar

and

.

In the same neighborhood, if you're into pop, rock and alternative music, take a look at the concert program of

and

and go dancing at

.

For soul lovers, head to the

in

, the hip southern destination, topped with rooftops.

Between the two, at Canada Water,

is the benchmark for clubbing but will close in May 2023 for a few years of work.

Fortunately for fans of electronic music, the Printworks team have more than one

up their sleeve and have opened

, in the industrial area of ​​the former Royal Docks.

And then, you can always count on

in Brixton and

in Farringdon.

Day 2: culture and jam

Morning

The Malibu Kitchen at Ned, a colossal hotel complex opened by the Soho House group in a former bank in the City.

The Ned City of London / Press photo

To recover from your evening, treat yourself to a

brunch with California flavors at the

at the Ned, a colossal hotel complex opened by the Soho House group in a former bank in the City.

The menu features bowls, eggs, and delicacies made with coconut, kale, and other

.

Then walk to the

to explore its incredible tropical greenhouse for free.

Generally accessible on Sundays (and a few other days, book online), it contains thousands of exotic species attacking the concrete building.

Extraordinary brutalist fortress, the Barbican is also essential exhibitions, a cinema and a cutting-edge musical program.

Lunch break

It's time to indulge in the good old Sunday

tradition  : meat and roasted potatoes accompanied by vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding (a kind of gougère without cheese).

Book into the excellent

, a 20-minute walk from the Barbican, and savor a delicious slow-cooked rump steak.

You can then stroll to Spitalfields Market - home to antiques, designers and brands at the forefront of British and international cool - or unearth retro treasures in

, the mecca of vintage and graffiti.

Afternoon

His nickname is Dippy.

This plaster of Paris diplodocus is among the fascinating collections of the Natural History Museum.

Kevin Mueller

Take the tube to

, the French Quarter, but also that of the museums, starting with the

, the largest museum in the world of decorative arts and design, whose exhibitions on fashion are particularly popular.

Next door, there are two family attractions:

, equipped with incredible machines and simulators, and

in a splendid Romanesque building housing dinosaur skeletons and a giant octopus 8 meters long!

Afternoon Tea

From South Kensington, hop on a bike (self-service Santander Cycles) to reach the center through the majestic royal parks

and

.

A breath of fresh air followed by a cup of hot tea at

, the royal family's favorite grocery store, founded in 1707. displays and, of course, tea – in a pretty pastel drawing room.

Belly filled with delicious scones (small bread crossed with a cake and spread with jam then cream) you will explore this prestigious grocery store which sells hundreds of teas and fine products.

Its famous champagne marmalade will make an ideal souvenir!

Read alsoIn London, our selection of the best “afternoon teas”

Address Book

WHERE TO RESTORE?

Granger & Co

, Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG.

Tel: + 44 20 3058 2567.

Fish!

, Borough Market, Cathedral Street, London, SE1 9AL.

Tel: + 44 20 7407 3803.

Maltby Street Market

, 37 Maltby Street, London, SE1 3PA.

Tel: + 44 20 7394 8061.

Bob Bob Ricard

, 1 Upper James Street, London, W1F 9DF.

Tel: + 44 20 3145 1000.

10 Greek Street

, 10 Greek St, London, W1D 4DH.

Tel: + 44 20 7734 4677.

Malibu Kitchen

, 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ.

Tel: + 44 20 3828 2000.

Hawksmoor

, 157a Commercial Street, London, E1 6BJ.

Tel: + 44 20 7426 4850.

GO OUT FOR A DRINK… OR A CUP OF TEA

The French House

, 49 Dean Street, London W1D 5BG.

Tel: + 44 20 7437 2477.

Bar Termini

, 7 Old Compton Street, London W1D 5JE.

Tel: + 44 78 6094 5018.

Ronnie Scott's

, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT.

Tel.: + 44 20 7439 0747.

Brilliant Corners

, 470 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AE.

Tel: + 44 20 7812 9511.

Printworks

, Surrey Quays Road, London SE16 7PJ.

Tel: + 44 20 8498 4934.

The Beams

, Thameside Industrial Estate, West End of Thames Refinery, Factory Road, London E16 2HB.

Tel: + 44 20 3515 0130.

Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER.

Tel: + 44 20 7734 8040.

Read alsoConverted chapels, hidden bars and quirky shops, London in 30 new addresses

OR SLEEP ?

Hart Shoreditch Curio Collection by Hilton

An inclusive four-star, matched with a Levantine table.

A beautiful tribute to the neighborhood's Victorian heritage and to Turkey.

Hart Hotel Shoreditch / Photo press

Modern, young, original… Dare we say “cool” if it's a Hilton establishment?

Yes.

Because Curio Collection breaks the traditional codes of large hotel chains to be where you least expect it.

The hotel is in the heart of Shoreditch, between the suits of the City and the startuppers of Old Street, now nicknamed “

.

The 126 rooms and suites are divided into ten categories with the same Art Deco theme.

From €213 per night.

Hart Hotel Shoreditch, 61 - 67 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HU Tel.

: +44 20 3995 3655.

Read alsoThe Hart Shoreditch Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in London, the expert opinion of Figaro

The Other House

The entrance hall, with its 10 meter long chandelier...!

The Other House / Photo press

Combining hotel services and the facilities of a private club, this establishment, which opened in July 2022 in the South Kensington district, shakes up the codes of city residence.

It offers more than 26 apartment configurations to satisfy all customer profiles, starting with large families.

Although away from the tourist hub, The Other House is a 5-minute walk from Gloucester Road station, which serves the Circle, District and Piccadilly lines.

In terms of prices, everything is done to encourage long stays.

If it will be necessary to count at least 374 € for one night (breakfast not included), the price drops to 178 € for stays of more than 15 days.

The Other House, Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, London.

Such.

: 00 44 20 3846 6000.

Read alsoHotel The Other House in London, the expert opinion of Le Figaro

Oscar London

One of the 21 rooms and 18 suites at L'oscar London, in the Holborn district.

Grégoire Gardette - Michel Reybier Hospitality / Press photo

This boutique hotel with 21 rooms and 18 suites, nestled in the former headquarters of the Baptist Church, has been restored in all its Baroque splendour, with the opulence and theatricality that made Jacques Garcia's reputation.

A stone's throw from the West End, between Covent Garden and Bloomsbury, the hotel is the ideal starting point to explore the heart of London, its museums, theatres, shops and restaurants.

From €470, breakfast included.

The Oscar London, 2-6 Southampton Row, London.

Such.

: + 44 20 7405 5555.

Read alsoThe Hotel L'Oscar in London, the expert opinion of Le Figaro