Identity card
Currency : In August 2011, £1 = €1.14
Area code : +44 (UK); 20 (London)
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How to get there
Eurostar connects Gare du Nord in Paris with London St Pancras in 2 hours 15 minutes, every half-hour at peak times and every hour during the day. In total, more than fifteen trains provide the daily link between the two capitals. The Business Premier class, launched in 2005 for business travellers, now guarantees access to a train regardless of the initial reservation for the day in question. Since last April, passengers have also been able to enjoy menus created by Michelin-starred chef Alain Roux.
In addition to fully flexible fares, Business Premier offers express check-in up to ten minutes before train departure, access to waiting lounges, on-board power sockets, magazines and free WiFi. The Standard Premier class, launched in September 2010, offers semi-flexible fares, a quiet and comfortable space, per - sonalised services and a light meal served at the seat. From summer 2011, mobile applications will enable all iPhone and Android smartphone owners to book their tickets on their phone and check in more easily with the "mobile ticket.
Tel: 0892 35 35 39
Internet : www.eurostar.com
Air France and its subsidiary City Jet operates fourteen daily flights on weekdays between Paris CDG and Paris Orly to London Heathrow and London City Airport.
Tel: 0820 320 820
Internet : www.airfrance.com
British Airways operates eight daily services to London Heathrow from Paris CDG and three from Orly using Airbus A 320 and Boeing 767 two-class aircraft. The airline also connects the British capital with Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Toulouse.
Tel: 0825 892 892
Internet : www.britishairways.com
Hotels
The Dorchester
In 2011, the famous London hotel celebrates its 80th birthday, and this anniversary will be marked by an ecological gesture with the planting of 80 trees across the capital. To mark the occasion, a large number of suites will also be getting a facelift, while Alain Ducasse will continue to be at the helm of the French restaurant in this temple of British classicism, as he has been since 2007. Just around the corner, the same Dorchester Group will open 45 Park Lane, a hotel with 45 rooms and suites. 53 Park Lane
Tel: +44 20 76 29 88 88
E-mail : reservations. uk@dorchestercollection.com
Internet : www.thedorchester.com
The Connaught
In the heart of Mayfair, this Maybourne Group hotel, like Claridge's and Ber ke ley, two other big names in the London hotel industry, has undergone a complete facelift at a cost of almost 100 million euros. The 123-room and suite establishment has lost none of its cosy ambience, with the addition of a touch of 21st-century design and technology. Other attractions include an Aman spa, Hélène Darroze's two-starred restaurant and the intimate Coburg Bar. Carlos Place
Tel: +44 20 74 99 70 70
E-mail : info@theconnaught. co.uk
Internet : www.the-connaught.co.uk
Claridge's
Brook Street
Tel: +44 20 76 29 88 60
E-mail : info@claridges.co.uk
Internet : www.claridges.co.uk
The Berkeley
Wilton Place
Tel: + 44 20 72 35 60 00
E-mail : info@theberkeley. co.uk
Internet : www.the-berkeley.co.uk
One Aldwych
One Aldwych
Tel: + 44 20 73 00 10 00
E-mail : reservations@ onealdwych.com
Internet : www.onealdwych.com
The Four Seasons at Canary Wharf
46 Westferry Circus
Tel: +44 20 75 10 19 99
Internet : www.fourseasons.com/canarywharf
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightbridge
Tel: +44 20 72 01 37 73
E-mail : molonreservations@mohg.com
Internet : www.mandarinoriental. com/london
Le Méridien Piccadilly
21 Piccadilly
Tel: +44 20 77 34 80 00
E-mail : reservations. piccadilly@lemeridien.com
Internet : www.starwoodhotels.com
Radisson Blu Portman Hotel
22 Portman Square
Phone: +44 20 72 08 60 00
E-mail : reservations. london@radissonblu.com
Internet : www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-london
Sanderson
50 Berners Street
Tel: +44 20 73 00 14 00
Internet : www.sandersonlondon.com
Design hotels
St Martins Lane Hotel
Designed by Philippe Starck, this five-star hotel is, like the Sanderson - which is also part of the Morgans Hotels group - a real world of very, very luxurious urban fantasy. The extravagant furnishings, set against a refined backdrop, are presented as veritable works of art. The 204 rooms and suites are breathtakingly beautiful. But the setting is nonetheless conducive to work. 45 St. Martin's Lane
Tel: +44 20 73 00 55 00
Internet : www.stmartinslane.com
The Zetter
This former Victorian warehouse with around sixty rooms is built around an atrium-shaped skylight. Very popular, the Zetter is a hotel with a unique charm, punctuated by a host of well-thought-out details such as the iPod charger and the dimmable reading lights. This boutique hotel attracts an arty clientele of graphic designers and advertisers, as well as lawyers and financiers tempted by the slightly offbeat Clerckenwell district and its proximity to the City. In fact, you can see the dome of Saint Paul's Cathedral from the seven studios with roof terraces. 86-88 Clerkenwell Road
Tel: +44 20 73 24 44 44
E-mail : info@thezetter.com
Internet : www.thezetter.com
Budget Hotels
Novotel London Tower Bridge
This four-star hotel, part of the Accor group's business chain, has just undergone a complete refurbishment. The hotel, in the heart of the City, offers 203 fully-equipped rooms at reasonable prices. 10 Pepys Street
Tel: +44 20 72 65 60 00
E-mail : H3107@accor.com
Internet : www.novotel.com
The Zetter Townhouse
Another new London address! The little sister of Zetter, which opened a few years ago in a former Victorian warehouse, Zetter Townhouse has recently moved into a beautiful mansion in St John's Square, in the Clerkenwell district. There are just thirteen rooms in all, but the spirit is elegantly offbeat. And so are the prices. 49-50 St John's Square
Tel: +44 20 73 24 45 67
E-mail : reservations@thezetter.com
Internet : www.thezettertownhouse. com
Restaurants
Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester
Taken over almost four years ago by Alain Ducasse, the Dorchester's gourmet restaurant is still one of the most sought-after in London. Not surprisingly, it was awarded a third star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain 2011. It serves veloutés and desserts with poetic names, as well as lobster and crab from Scotland, veal from Limousin and pigeon from Anjou, all served on tableware by Hermès. There are also several private rooms, such as the "hall of lightsThey can accommodate from 6 to 18 people. The Dorchester Hotel Park Lane
Tel: + 44 20 7629 88 66
E-mail : alainducasse@thedorchester.com
Internet : www.alainducassedorchester.com
Joël Robuchon's workshop and kitchen
L'Atelier is a place of gustatory experimentation, offering a host of exquisite and refined tapas: pan-fried foie gras, a mini asparagus sandwich with caviar, emulsions with freshly-picked peas... The restaurant is also a place of culinary experimentation. "lunch menuThis very affordable restaurant has won over Londoners, some of whom have made l'Atelier their canteen. The Kitchen and its little boudoir upstairs are open in the evening. For a more intimate atmosphere. 13-15 West Street
Tel: + 44 20 70 10 86 00
E-mail : info@ joelrobuchon.co.uk
Internet : www.joel-robuchon.com
The Square
In the heart of Mayfair, this restaurant, adorned with its two Michelin stars, is doing very well. Philip Howard has been its chef since it opened in 1991. His obsession: quality ingredients. One of his cult dishes: pot au feu with a foie gras sandwich. 6-10 Bruton Street
Tel: +44 20 74 95 71 00
E-mail : reception@squarerestaurant.com
Internet : www.squarerestaurant. com
The Montagu
In this beautiful restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere at the Hyatt Regency, chef Carlos Texeira officiates in a vast open kitchen. The more curious can dine at the "chef table which can accommodate up to nine people. Others will delight in the British-European cuisine while gazing out over leafy Portman Square. The Churchill Hyatt Regency, 30 Portman Square
Tel: +44 20 7486 58 00
E-mail : london. churchill@hyatt.com
Internet : london.churchill.hyatt.com
Locanda Locatelli
Locanda Locatelli is a little piece of Italy in Portman Square. The key word here is conviviality. And real food and pasta "made in Italy in a very contemporary setting. Business meals can be organised in private rooms over tagliatelle with black truffles or Saint-Pierre with potatoes and green olives. 8 Seymour Street
Tel: + 44 20 79 35 90 88
Internet : www.locandalocatelli.com
Spice Market
Jean-Georges Vongerichten's famous restaurant, the original of which was opened in New York, has just found its London version on the ground floor of the W Hotel. From the chef's table to the small dining room upstairs, all dining options are possible, from the most public to the most private, all in a chic oriental setting for a cuisine with Malaysian, Thai or Vietnamese accents. W Hotel, 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square
Tel: +44 20 77 58 10 88
E-mail : reservations@ spicemarketlondon.co.uk
Internet : www.wlondon.co.uk/ spice-market
Nobu
This Japanese restaurant has a bar so extravagant that you'd come just for a drink. But try the sushi, and it's a whole different story... This is a must-visit London address, just like its sister restaurant on Park Lane, on the first floor of the Metropolitan Hotel. 15 Berkeley Street
Tel: +44 20 7290 92 22
Internet : www.noburestaurants.com
Other addresses
The Ledbury
127 Ledbury Road
Tel: +44 20 77 92 90 90
E-mail : info@theledbury.com
Internet : www.theledbury.com
Umu
14 -16 Bruton Place
Tel: +44 20 74 99 88 81
Internet : www.umurestaurant.com
Hakkaasan
8 Hanway Place
Tel: +44 20 79 27 70 00
E-mail : reservation@ hakkasan.com
Internet : w3.hakkasan.com
Scott's
20 Mount Street
Tel: +44 74 95 73 09
Internet : www.scotts-restaurant.com/
Services
Regus
The leading provider of business centres offers 57 locations across Greater London, from the heart of the City and Canary Wharf to Berkeley Square in the West End. 2nd Floor, Berkeley Square House. Berkeley Square
Tel: +44 20 78 87 60 00
Internet : www.regus.co.uk
Iod Hub City of London
The Institute of Directors, an exclusive club for senior executives, offers two prestigious business centres. 35 New Broad Street
Tel: +44 20 71 94 75 50
Internet : www.iod.com
London City Drivers
223 Regent Street
Tel: +44 12 12 07 07 07
Internet : www.londoncitychauffeurs.com
Information
London & Partners
This is the city's new representative body, which brings together three former names: Visit London, Think London and Study London... 6th Floor, 2 More London
Tel: +44 20 72 34 58 00
E-mail : corporate@londonandpartners. com
Internet : www.londonandpartners.com
Ubifrance in the United Kingdom
Internet : www.ubifrance.com/uk
French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain
Lincoln House, 4th floor, 300 High Holborn
Tel: +44 20 70 92 66 00
E-mail : mail@ccfgb.co.uk
Internet : www.ccfgb.co.uk
UK Trade & Investment
Tel: 01 44 51 34 00
E-mail : commercialenquiries.paris@fco.gov.uk
Internet : www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Official website of the City of London
City Hall, The Queen's Walk
Tel: +44 20 79 83 41 00
E-mail : mayor@london.gov.uk
Internet : www.london.gov.uk
Great Britain Tourist Office
E-mail : gbinfo@visitbritain.org
Internet : www.visitbritain.com/fr/fr/visitbritain
Practical guides
Cool LondonteNeues (2011)
London Restaurants & HotelsMichelin (2011)
London, Green GuideMichelin (2010)
London Top 10Hachette (2010)
A great weekend in LondonHachette (2011)
London, WallpaperPhaïdon City Guide (2009)
London CartovilleGallimard (2011)
London Instructions for useGallimard (2011)
London Cheap & ChicEn voyage Éditions (2011)
London Shopping
Six must-visit addresses in Europe's shopping capital...
West End & Mayfair
Dover Street Market
This Comme des Garçons concept store is not just a mecca for trendy clothes. It's also a place to eat, drink, shop and relax. "people watching. 17-18 Dover Street
Tel: +44 20 75 18 06 80
E-mail : info@doverstreetmarket.com
Internet : www.doverstreetmarket.com
Margaret Howell
"The British designer likes to play on tweeds and preppy style, the "as it should be New England college style, a genre that she applies to both men and women. She brings the London chic silhouette up to date. The Wigmore Street shop also sells vintage furniture and decor. True fashion addicts can find this designer in Paris, at Place de la Madeleine. 34 Wigmore Street
Tel: +44 20 70 09 90 09
E-mail : wigmorestreet@margarethowell.co.uk
Internet : www.margarethowell.co.uk
Kensington & Chelsea
Jo Malone
The shops of Jo Malone, the maker of body and home fragrances, are a must when visiting the British capital. You'll bring back scents of fig and blackcurrant, cherry blossom, rose, basil and mandarin... all made from natural essences. 150 Sloane Street
Tel: +44 870 192 5121
Internet : www.jomalone.co.uk
Blue Bird
This designer concept store in Chelsea is a must-see in London, selling everything from beauty products to music, décor and trendy clothes. Although it opened a few years ago, it remains one of London's Top 50 shops. 350 Kings Road
Tel: +44 20 73 51 38 73
E-mail : info@theshopatbluebird.com
Internet : www.theshopatbluebird.com
Shoreditch & Hackney
Labour and Wait
Old school and traditional, but with a hint of fashion, this shop selling objects for the home and garden has just moved to Shoreditch, on Redchurch Street, the little street that goes up... 85 Redchurch Street
Phone: +44 20 77 29 62 53
E-mail : info@labourandwait.co.uk
Internet : http://labourandwait.co.uk
Burberry
Lovers of the quintessential British brand can find bags, trench coats and shirts for 20 % or 30 % less at the outlet in Hackney, East London. A diversion, but well worth it. 29-53 Chatham Place
Tel: +44 20 89 85 33 44
Internet : http://fr.burberry.com/store
