With just over a million inhabitants, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city, behind Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Above all, it is the largest city in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, with 10 million inhabitants living in one of Europe's leading economic centres.
Europe: that's the cradle and natural horizon of this crossroads city. The Romans called it Colonia. Later, an Italian expatriate gave it its perfume, then a French emperor its civil code. A symbol of the greatness of the European melting pot, the city is also a martyr to its divisions. But in this city, 90 % of which was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, people know all about challenge and self-sacrifice, and are used to reinventing themselves.
Cologne, an open city: this remains the city's credo, including when it comes to business. Statistical evidence: today, more than 800 foreign firms are already established here. Enough to fuel the publicity of a city where boldness is elegantly adorned with humility. In short, a city that deserves to be better known. It really is.
Eco profile
Since the invention of the four-stroke engine by Nikolas August Otto in the 1870s, Cologne has remained an important centre for the automotive industry. Ford Europe, Citroën, Mazda, Toyota and Volvo are all in the area. Another key sector is retail, represented by the two heavyweights, Rewe Zentral and Kaufhof Warenhaus. Cologne is also a world of insurance: Central, DKV, Generali Deutschland as well as the German branches of Axa and Zurich Financial Services. It's also a media planet, with TV and radio stations such as WDR, VOX and the German branch of RTL.
Tourism plays an essential role in the city's economy, especially business tourism. The Cologne Convention Bureau lists nearly 41,000 events organised at 147 venues in 2009: International Furniture Fair, Photokina (the world's leading photography fair), Anuga (catering), Art Cologne (art market), Passagen (design and lifestyle)...
Eco icon : Taschen
Beautiful art books at contained prices and editorial choices that are willingly provocative: these two ingredients have built the reputation of Taschen, a publishing house founded in Cologne in 1980 and now a leader in the 'beautiful book' market. The company was founded by Benedikt Taschen, a man with an aesthetic flair as strong as his business acumen, and with a focus on design, contemporary art, pop culture and playful eroticism. The formula has worked so well that Taschen now has a unique network of "monobrand" bookshops throughout the world, from Berlin to Los Angeles, via Paris (2 rue de Buci).
How to get there
By train
A revolution has been taking place on rail routes between France and Germany since the end of 2009: thanks to the switch to high speed between Liège and the German border, the journey time between Paris and Cologne is now just 3 hours 14 minutes. This change has enabled Thalys to continue its growth on the Paris-Brussels-Cologne route, with an increase of more than 25 % in the first half of 2010.
High-speed and city-centre-to-centre connections are not the only competitive advantages of Thalys, which has also been offering on-board Wi-Fi for the last two years and has just completed the renovation of its trains and services (new seats, new design, new catering). Comfort 1 passengers benefit from a meal served free of charge at their seat. Thalys offers 6 connections between Paris and Cologne every day.
Information: 3635 say "Thalys" Internet : www.thalys.com.
By plane
Cologne-Bonn airport has been taken over by low-cost airlines, although this does not rule out the presence of 'traditional' airlines. Direct flights from Bastia (Germanwings), Calvi (Germanwings and Air Berlin), Marseille (Germanwings), Nice (Germanwings), Lourdes (Germania) and above all Paris (3 daily flights on weekdays, with Lufthansa).
A train station was opened at Cologne-Bonn airport in 2005, providing access to Cologne's main railway station in less than 15 minutes.
Taxi to the city centre: 25 euros.
Traffic
Relax, you're in Germany: the KVB public transport network (bus, metro, tram) is guaranteed to run smoothly.
24-hour tickets are available for €6.90.
Another option: Taxi Ruf. Tel: +49 221 28 82 / Internet: www.taxiruf.de
Hotels
Maritim Hotel Köln: Open spaces
Ideally located, equidistant from the cathedral and the new Rheinauhafen business district, the Maritim in Cologne is a key player in the local business hotel sector, with 454 rooms and suites, a congress centre for up to 1,600 participants and almost twenty meeting rooms. The hotel's business focus does not detract from its charm, with superior rooms offering beautiful views over the Rhine, and breakfast served under the building's impressive glass roof. At the very top, the Bellevue restaurant lives up to its name.
Heumarkt 20
Tel.: +49 221 2 02 70 / Internet: www.maritim.de
Excelsior Hotel Ernst : Big train
Facing the cathedral, a stone's throw from the main station, this five-star luxury hotel affiliated to Leading Hotels of the World is Cologne's little palace. But the hotel doesn't limit itself to gilding and also offers rooms and restaurants with a contemporary feel.
Domplatz
Tel.: +49 221 270 1 / Internet: www.excelsior-hotel-ernst.de
Meridien Dom-Hotel Köln
Right at the foot of the cathedral, the Dom-Hotel displays a splendour befitting its location. The seafood restaurant "Le Mérou" is particularly suited to more exclusive business lunches.
Domkloster 2a
Tel: +49 221 2024 0 / Internet: www.domhotel.com
Chain business :
Pullman Cologne
275 rooms, including 74 deluxe rooms, 9 suites and a large suite facing the cathedral. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel also boasts meeting rooms on the 12th floor, with views over the city.
Helenenstraße 14
Tel.: +49 221 27 50 / Internet: pullman.accor.com
Renaissance Köln
Shell seats, large curved light fittings and a wicker swing: right from the lobby, the Renaissance Köln sets the tone for a playful, unpretentious design.
Magnusstraße 20
Tel: +49 221 2034 0 / Internet: www.renaissancekoeln.de
Intercontinental Köln
A truly intercontinental style, steel, brick, all giant sofas, metal armrests and tubular wall lights. Seriously modern.
Pipinstraße 1
Tel: +49 221 28 06 0 / Internet: www.koeln.intercontinental.com
Köln Marriott Hotel
Just 200 metres from the main railway station, this functional business hotel boasts a contemporary decor with a focus on warm tones.
Johanisstraße 76-80
Tel: +49 221 94 222 0 / Internet: www.koelnmarriott.de
Barcelo Cologne City Center
The impressive façade on Rudolfplatz sets the tone for a large hotel (301 rooms), perfectly in tune with the times.
Habsburgerring 9-13
Tel: +49 221 228 0 / Internet: www.barcelocolognecitycenter.com
Out of the ordinary
Savoy Hotel
A small, upmarket hotel that is totally atypical, close to Central Station. The atmosphere is eminently cosy around the designer fireplace, and the rooms alternate between safari chic, orientalist or glam-canaille decor. A place apart.
Turiner Straße 9
Tel: +49 221 1623 0 / Internet: www.savoy.de
Hopper Hotel Et Cætera
An equally atypical 49-room jewel, housed in a former cloister. The décor resonates with the spirit of the place and its delicious fragrance of eternal life.
Brüsseler Straße 26
Tel: +49 221 92 440 0 / Internet: www.hopper.de
Lindner Hotel Dom Residence
The façade is a real eye-catcher, as is the decor of the La Gazetta restaurant. An original proposal for a four-star restaurant.
Stolkgasse 4a
Tel: +49 221 16 440 / Internet: www.domresidence.lindner.de
Restaurants
Weinamrhein
Opened a year ago, this restaurant offers a particularly refined menu and setting.
Johanisstraße 64
Tel.: +49 221 9124 88 85 / Internet: www.weinamrhein.eu
Vintage Restaurant
Wine has pride of place in this stylish and relaxed establishment in Neumarkt.
Hahnenstraße 37
Tel: +49 221 92 071 0 / Internet: www.weinraritaeten.de
Ludwig Im Museum
This restaurant in the Ludwig Museum, which is to Cologne what the Centre Pompidou is to Paris, has large volumes and arty touches. Only less tubular.
Heinrich Böll Platz
Tel: +49 221 168 7513 19 / Internet: www.ludwig-im-museum.de
Em Krützche
Set in an ancient house overlooking the Rhine, this institution is 420 years old. A luxury inn, where the goose is, unfortunately for it, the guest of honour.
Am Frankenturm 1-3
Tel: +49 221 258 0839 / Internet: www.em-kruetzche.de
Germany on your plate
Cologne has some legendary breweries, temples of smoked ham hocks and Kölsche beer. Two addresses to remember: Brauerei zur Malzmühle, for guaranteed excitement, and Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten for its location facing the Rhine.
Brauerei zur MalzmühleHeumarkt 6.
Phone: +49 221 21017 / Internet : www.muehlenkoelsch.de
Haxenhaus zum RheingartenFrankenwerft 19.
Tel.: +49 221 257 79 66 / Internet: www.haxenhaus.de
Bars
What's on : Die Kunstbar (the 'Art Bar', Chargesheimerplatz 1), located opposite Central Station and under the cathedral forecourt. The setting is aesthetically pleasing, as is the interior, which is regularly redecorated by guest artists.
Express Breakfast
There are plenty of fast-food restaurants to choose from, of course, but for a quick lunch with a bit more local flavour, you could try one of the small restaurants with a terrace on Aachenerstraße, the bohemian thoroughfare just west of the city centre. Here's one example: Café Bauturmat number 27 (www.cafe-bauturm.de).
Another option in the city centre, if only for the location: the Café Stanton (Schildergasse 57), located at the foot of a church.
For sushi lovers on the go: Sushi am Ring (Hohenzollernring 42. Tel: +49 221 272 58 974. Internet: www.sushi-am-ring.de)
Shopping
Schildergasse and Hohestraße So much for the epicentre, with its major brands and department stores. In 2008, Kölner Schildergasse was even named "Europe's busiest shopping street", with almost 17,000 people passing through every hour. If you're looking for design and "petits créateurs", the "Belgian Quarter" is the place to go.
Rheinauhafen: Cologne future
The story is being repeated all over Europe, from London's Canary Wharf to Hamburg's HafenCity: old, derelict port warehouses redeveloped as hyper-contemporary business and leisure districts.
In Cologne, the concept unfolds over almost 16 hectares in the new Rheinauhafen district, on the banks of the Rhine and a stone's throw from the city centre. Work began in 2002 and is due for completion in 2011, but the district is already running at almost full capacity and the result is spectacular, with daring architecture symbolised by the Kranhäuser buildings designed by Hadi Teherani. Alongside Microsoft, communications companies and law firms have set up shop here on the marina.
The atmosphere is business-cool, with purpose-built restaurants where the waterside terrace is never forgotten (Kap am Südkai, Limani, Pier One). The hotels are also contemporary, from the NH Koeln City to the astonishing Art'Otel. But Rheinauhafen is not just a place to do business and go out. Just a few minutes from the city centre, it has become a tourist attraction and home to museums such as the Chocolate Museum and the German Olympic and Sports Museum.
LimaniAgrippinawerft 6 - Phone: +49 221 719 05 90 - Internet: www.limanicologne.de
Kap am SüdkaiAgrippinawerft 30 - Phone: +49 221 35 68 33 33 - Internet: www.kapamsuedkai.de
Pier OneHolzmarkt 2a - Phone: +49 221 272 209 60 - Internet: www.pier-one.eu
NH Koeln CityHolzmarkt 47 - Phone: +49 221 272 2880 - Internet: www.nh-hotels.com
Art'otelHolzmarkt 4 - Phone: +49 221 801 030 - Internet: www.artotels.com
Deutsches Sport & Olympia MuseumIm Zollhafen 1 - Phone: +49 221 33 609 0 - Internet: www.sportmuseum.info
Services
Business centres
Cologne City
Neumarkt Galerie, Richmodstrasse 6 - Tel. +49 221 920 420 - Internet : www.regus.fr
Cologne Kaiser Wilhelm Ring
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 27-29 - Phone: +49 221 569 40 - Internet : www.regus.fr
Limousine/ chauffeur-driven car hire
Colonia Taxi
Tel: +49 221 860 53 21. Internet: www.de.colonia-taxi.de
Bicycle hire
Rent-A-Bike Cologne
Markmannsgasse - Tel: +49 171 629 87 96 Internet : www.koelnerfahrradverleih.de
Hotel residence
Astor Apparthotel
Friesenwall 68-72 - Phone: +49 221 207 120 - Internet: +49 221 207 120 www.hotelastor.de
Fitness
Holmes Place Köln Am Guerzenich
Gürzenichstr 6-16. Internet : www.holmesplace.de
Holmes Place Köln Media Park
Im MediaPark 4a. Internet : www.holmesplace.de
Information
Köln Tourismus
Tel: +49 221 221 304 00 - Internet: www.koelntourismus.de
Cologne Convention Bureau
Tel: +49 221 221 233 72. Internet : www.conventioncologne.de
