In this article, I present the City of Londonthe capital's business district!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the City of London
- Activities available in this area
- How to reach him easily
- Practical information and tour tips
- Things to see and do in the area
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about the City of London, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
The City of London: article summary
The City of London: the capital's historic financial district
The various London districts are clearly defined by their architecture and ambience, while the The City is no exception to this rule: it's the business district and shines with modernity.
And if the business is its #1 feature, it's not the only attraction of this historic district of the capital. Let me introduce you!
Introducing the City of London Â
Neighborhood equivalent New York Wall Streetthe City of London covers an area of about 3 km2 and is home to the Royal Stock Exchange of London), the headquarters of many major financial institutions and the offices of over 20,000 companies.
This is where the Bretons their quarters before the the Romans seized the area around 43 AD, giving the place its name Londinium. The cradle of the town, it was already at that time a place of commerce. trade and exchange, commonly known as London Market. After being transformed into a royal and religious city under the control of Alfred the Great (the first king of England) in the 9th century, it resumed its status as a trading centre and continued to grow. from the 16th century.
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of London (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
The most important dates for the City of London include the fire of 1666 which ravaged much of the city for 6 days; the installation of the Bank of England headquarters in 1734; in the 19th century, it was the world's most important financial district, at the height of the British Empire.
Today, it's a lively little neighborhoodMost major companies have set up shop here. Others, however, have opted for the quarter of Canary Wharfless expensive and less saturated, to set up their offices.
If you think there's only skyscrapers and businessmen in suits in the City, think again: despite its small size, the district has a lot to offer and should be visited during your your stay in London !
Facts and figures about this district  Â
- There are approximately 8,500 inhabitants at the City
- There are more 300,000 workers who visit the neighborhood every day!
- Major companies headquartered here include Goldman SachsUBS, JP Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank.
- The City is managed by a Lord Mayor elected for a three-year term. 1 year and the neighborhood has its own police force!
What can you see and do in the City of London?
I invite you to visit the City at London for its buildings impressiveIt's not just for its frenetic atmosphere, but also for the various monuments that can be found in the area. Here are the must-sees!
The most famous skyscrapers
Simply stroll through the district and look up to discover colossal buildings with atypical architecture. Among the most famous are :
- 30 St Mary Axebaptized The Gherkin (the Gherkin), which was the country's tallest skyscraper until the construction of The Shard in 2009
- Lloyd's Buildingheadquarters of the famous insurer, a building as crazy on the outside as it is on the inside.
- Tower 42with its rooftop offering an unobstructed view over a large part of London
The Sky Garden at the top of the Talkie-Walkie
Another building has a special nickname: the 20 Fenchurch Streetwhich Londoners quickly renamed the Talkie-Walkie because of its ungraceful shape.
It is a building of 160 meters highknown mainly for hosting the Sky Gardena panoramic bar offering sensational 360° views over London.
The monument to the Great Fire of 1666
This 61-meter-high column commemorates the terrible London fire of 1666, which remains the most devastating in the capital's history. You can climb to the top (by climbing its 311 steps) to observe the Thames and the London Tower nearby.
The Tower of London
Visit Tower of London is a superb medieval fortressone of the world's must-see monuments in London.
Surrounded by several ramparts, it is home to the Crown Jewels, its famous crows and atypical guards. They'll be happy to tell you all about the craziest anecdotes surrounding this place!
Tower Bridge
Not far from the tower, you'll see Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge just above), which can be visited. It's a weighbridge impressive two-tower structure in the architectural style of the Tower of London.
At the top, a glazed walkway will give you some thrills, and you can discover the bridge's astonishing raising/lowering mechanism.
St. Paul's Cathedral
London's most important religious building, St. Paul's Cathedral has a dome that rises to a height of 111 m, a fascinating crypt and an extremely rich history to discover on your visit. The the 2ᵉ largest cathedral in the worldbehind St. Peter's Basilica in Rome!
Among the most memorable events to take place here was the wedding of Prince Charles (now King) and Lady Diana on July 29, 1981.
Leadenhall Market
This 14th-century covered market is one of the world's largest London's oldest markets. A true landmark of the City, it is an arcaded building with wrought iron and a glass roof, which gives it its luminosity.
For fans ofHarry PotterThis is where the little sorcerer borrows the Crossing path (Diagon Alley) and shops for the start of his year at Hogwarts.
How do I get to the City of London?
London's City district lies to the east of the capital and is easily reached via :
- Visit metrowith the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and District lines, all serving important buildings in the area
- The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which stops at Bank and Tower Gateway
The City of London: visit tips and practical information
The City of London is a particularly lively district at the end of the dayafter working hours. The pubs fill up and the restaurants are numerous.
I'd therefore advise you to spend the afternoon there, to have time to visit it at your own pace. You can then enjoy a relaxing break in the a Pub at aperitif time!
Practical information
Please note that Museum Of LondonThis popular City attraction has closed its doors. It will reopen in 2026, in the Smithfield area. Don't bother looking for it just yet!
What to see and do in the area?
Once you've completed your visit to the City, you can continue exploring London by discovering :
- The Shardthe immense skyscraper directly opposite, to enjoy its breathtaking views.
- Visit borough marketone of London's oldest markets
- Visit British Museumto the west, one of the most remarkable in the world
- Visit Soho district and its many attractions!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special London guide!
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