London: address book

Last November, EUROSTAR celebrated its 20th anniversary and 150 million passengers.

Identity card

Currency The pound sterling (GBP). 1 euro = GBP 0.73 (March 2015).
Area code : +44 (UK), 20 (London).

How to get there

EUROSTAR celebrated its 150 millionth passenger journey last November, as well as its 20th anniversary. The rail company, which links London to Paris in 2 hours 15 minutes, Lille in 1 hour 20 minutes and Brussels in just over two hours, offers three classes, starting with Standard, for an efficient journey at a low price. The Standard Premier, launched in 2010 to meet the needs of passengers looking for low fares, space and services, offers passengers a light meal and magazines. Finally, the Business Premier, dedicated to business travellers looking for great comfort and flexibility, offers express check-in up to ten minutes before departure, total ticket flexibility and access to VIP lounges in the station. On board, passengers can enjoy hot food served at the seat - with wine and champagne - created in collaboration with two-star chef Raymond Blanc, as well as free WiFi, electrical sockets, magazines and a taxi pre-booking service. Since 2011, a 'mobile ticket' system has eliminated the need to print out tickets.

Tel.: 0892 35 35 39
Internet: www.eurostar.com

Air France and its subsidiary City Jet operate a dozen flights a day from Paris CDG and Orly to London Heathrow and City Airport.

Tel: +33 (0) 8 92 70 26 54
Internet: www.airfrance.fr

British Airways operates around ten daily services between Paris Roissy or Orly and Heathrow. The British airline also offers direct services to many French cities.

Phone: +33 (0) 825 825 400
Internet: www.britishairways.com

Hotels

London Edition Hotel

 Opened in late 2013, this wonderful hotel housed in a historic building in Fitzrovia revisits the great English classics. Reflecting the spirit of Ian Schrager, the pioneer of the boutique wave, the hotel offers 173 rooms with clean, contemporary British luxury. The lobby-bar, with its sumptuous mouldings, is currently one of London's most popular venues.

10 Berners Street. Tel: +44 20 7781 0000 - Email: reservations.london@editionhotels.com Website: www.editionhotels.com/london

Ham Yard Hotel Soho

Opened in 2014, the Ham Yard Hotel has a secret: a garden in the heart of Soho where tomatoes, melons and blueberries grow and chickens peck... The countryside in the city in short. The 90 rooms of this Design Hotel, with their inventive and slightly offbeat classicism, are a real treat. As well as a spa, a restaurant and a beautiful library, the hotel has a 175-seat cinema and a bowling alley in the purest 60s style.

One Ham Yard - Tel: +44 20 3642 2000 Email: hamyard@frmdale.com Internet: www.frmdalehotels.com

Sunborn Yacht Hotel London

Sleeping aboard a 124m yacht? For a few months now, it's been possible in London. Docked at the Royal Victoria Dock, this majestic floating hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the Canary Wharf business district and the Excel London conference centre. It offers 136 spacious rooms, some with balconies overlooking the Thames.

Royal Victoria Dock. Tel: +44 203 714 8111 - Email: reservations@sunbornlondon.com Internet: www.sunbornhotels.com

Hyatt Regency London

The elegant Hyatt Regency The Churchill, partner of the Frieze Art Fair, closed this winter for several months of renovations. Situated opposite the delightful Portman Square, close to Oxford Street and Mayfair, the 434-room hotel is due to reopen soon with a facelift.

30 Portman Square. Tel: +44 20 74 86 58 00 Email: london.churchill@hyatt.com Internet: london.churchill.hyatt.com

St Martins Lane Hotel

This five-star hotel designed by Philippe Starck is already a few years old, but it is still a dream. Its sober surroundings contrast with the fantasy of the furniture, presented like real works of art. In the evening, the floors and windows light up to delight the eyes and surprise the senses. In all, there are 204 recently renovated rooms and suites, with a beauty that is at once simple, extravagant and undoubtedly disconcerting.

45 St. Martin's Lane. Tel: +44 20 73 00 55 00 - Internet: www.morganshotelgroup.com

W London Leicester Square

The fortieth W hotel in the world, this one has a provocative disco spirit, while still embracing British classics such as XXL Chesterfield sofas, tartan cushions and the Union Jack formed by a series of plates set on a bookcase. It's impossible to forget you're in London!

10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square Tel: +44 20 77 58 10 00 - Email: wleicestersquare@reservestarwood.com Internet: www.wlondon.co.uk

Other business hotels

Andaz Liverpool Street London

40 Liverpool Street - Tel: +44 207 961 1234 - Email: guestservices.londonliv@ andaz.com - Internet: www.london. liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com

Rosewood Hotel London

252 High Holborn. Tel: +44 20 7781 8888 - Email: london@rosewoodhotels.com - Internet: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london

Claridge's

Brook Street - Tel: +44 20 76 29 88 60 Email: info@claridges.co.uk Internet: www.claridges.co.uk

The Berkeley

Wilton Place - Tel: + 44 20 72 35 60 00 Email: info@the-berkeley.co.uk Internet: www.the-berkeley.co.uk

Corinthia London

Whitehall Place - Tel: +44 20 79 30 81 81 Email: london@corinthia.com Internet: www.corinthia.com

Ace Hotel Shoreditch

100 Shoredicth High Street. Tel: + 44 20 7613 9800 Email: enquire.ldn@acehotel.com Internet: www.acehotel.com/london

One Aldwich

One Aldwych. Tel: + 44 20 73 00 10 00 - Email: reservations@onealdwych.com - Internet: www.onealdwych.com or www.lhw.com

The Four Seasons Canary Wharf

46 Westferry Circus - Tel: +44 20 75 10 19 99 - Internet: www.fourseasons.com

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

66 Knightsbridge. Tel: +44 20 72 35 20 00 - Email: molon-reservations@mohg.com Internet: www.mandarinoriental.com

The Langham London

1c Portland Place, Regent Street. Tel: +44 20 7636 1000 - Internet: london.langhamhotels.co.uk or lwh.com

Budget hotels

Hub By Premier Inn

Set up in Covent Garden in the autumn, this ultra-functional hotel is already considered to be the most efficient in Britain when it comes to space management. The 167 (small) rooms can be booked via a smartphone application, which also lets you adjust the temperature, television and lighting. An ingenious, economical and even ecological alternative. What's more, its restaurant serves mainly dishes made from local produce.

110 St Martins Lane. Internet: www.hubhotels.co.uk

Dorsett Shepherd's Bush

This brand new establishment in South London has been set up behind the facade of a former cinema dating from the 1920s. 317 rooms in all, with an Asian feel and tailored to the needs of business travellers.

58 Shepherds Bush Green. Tel: +44 203 262 1026 - Email: info.shepherdsbush@dorsetthotels.com Website: www.dorsetthotels.com

Novotel London Tower Bridge

This four-star hotel offers 203 fully-equipped rooms in the heart of the City at very affordable prices.

10 Pepys Street - Tel: +44 20 76 600 675 Email: H3107@accor.com Internet: www.novotel.com

Aloft London Excel

The Aloft concept needs no introduction: designer rooms at affordable prices with a non-conformist spirit, all in a business district. In this case, Canary Wharf.

One Eastern Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock - Tel: +44 20 3203 0700 - Email: aloftlondonexcel@reservestarwood.com Internet: www.aloftlondonexcel.com

Restaurants

Ting

In Chinese, Ting means dining room. It was only right that Shangri-La, the latest addition to a group from the Middle Kingdom, should add a touch of Asia to its restaurant on the 35th floor of the Shard. However, the menu is mainly European, with a few hints of Asian flavours. Crab with mango and passion fruit, for example, is one of the signature dishes, as is the smoked salmon with Lapsang Souchong tea. Thanks to the 'to the market with the chef' programme, food lovers will be able to take a trip to the famous Borough Market, just downstairs, with chef Emil Minev, who will then cook the products purchased in his company.

31 St Thomas Street. Tel: +44 20 7234 8000 Internet: www.shangri-la.com/london

Joël Robuchon's workshop and kitchen

L'Atelier is a place of gustatory experimentation, offering a multitude of exquisite and refined tapas: pan-fried foie gras, a mini asparagus sandwich with caviar, emulsions with freshly picked peas... The very affordable lunch menu has won over many diners, who have made L'Atelier their canteen. Upstairs, the more intimate La Cuisine and its little boudoir are open in the evening.

13-15 West Street. Tel: + 44 20 70 10 86 00 Email: info@joelrobuchon.co.uk Internet: www.joelrobuchon.co.uk

Saint John Restaurant

A simple, relaxed address, all white and bright, in the Smithfield district. It serves pig's ears and duck hearts, which has earned it a Michelin star, proudly displayed since 2009. It has also been named one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world.

26 St John Street. Tel: +44 20 7251 0848 - Email: reservations@stjohnrestaurant.com Internet: www.stjohngroup.uk.com

The Square

Since opening his flagship Mayfair restaurant in 1991, Philip Howard has kept his two Michelin stars. His obsession: quality ingredients. His cult dishes: suckling pig ravioli, pot-au-feu with a foie gras sandwich, blood orange doughnut with fennel pollen and olive oil cream.

6-10 Bruton Street. Tel: +44 20 74 95 71 00 - Email: reception@squarerestaurant.com Internet: www.squarerestaurant.com

Criterion

Set in the middle of Picadilly Square, the shop front gives no hint of what goes on inside. A neo-Byzantine décor has been stretching the length and breadth of this establishment, which Conan Doyle frequented in his day, since 1874. It is not certain that the food here was as good as it is today, with chef Artan Hasa revisiting great European classics such as tournedos Rossini. The address also lends itself to afternoon business meetings, accompanied by
afternoon tea, of course.

224 Piccadilly. Tel: +44 20 7930 0488 - Email: reservations@criterionrestaurant.com Internet: www.criterionrestaurant.com

The Orangery - Kensington Palace

This is the place for high tea, in the orangery in Kensington Gardens, which has remained untouched since the 18th century. At the time, Queen Anne introduced this typically British afternoon break, which was to become a veritable institution. You sip your tea in English porcelain, spread your scones with homemade strawberry jam and a clotted cream to die for. The place, with its high windows and ceilings, is as beautiful and breathtaking as the platter of pastries and sandwiches served.

Kensington Gardens. Tel: +44 20 3166 6113 - Email: KP@ampersandcatering.co.uk - Internet: www.orangerykensingtonpalace.co.uk

Business centres

Regus

The world leader offers more than eighty addresses in Greater London. Among the most recently opened are those in Blackfriars, Regents Park, High Street Kensington and Broadgate.

London Broadgate Circle, 2nd Floor, 1-2 Broadgate - Tel: + 44 20 78 87 60 00 Internet: www.regus.co.uk

I2 Office

This British specialist offers around fifteen centres in the English capital.

London Canary Wharf. 40 Bank Street. Tel: + 44 020 3440 5000 Email: enquiries@i2offce.co.uk Internet: www.i2offce.co.uk

Iod

An exclusive executive club with two prestigious business centres.

35 New Broad Street - Tel: + 44 20 71 94 75 50 - Internet: www.iod.com

Events and convention centres

Skygarden

This sublime 21st-century ice palace is also a popular venue for events.

20 Fenchurch Street. Email: bookings@skygarden.london or conventionbureau@londonandpartners.com Internet: www.skygarden.london

Emirates Stadium Events

One of the capital's most high-tech event venues, in the heart of Arsenal's famous football stadium.

Highbury House. 75 Drayton Park. Tel: +44 20845 262 0004 - Email: conventionbureau@londonandpartners.com Internet: events.arsenal.com

Excel London

100,000 m2, no more, no less, for this famous conference and exhibition centre in the Docklands.

One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock - Tel: +44 20 70 69 50 00 Email: info@excel-london.co.uk Internet: www.excel-london.co.uk

Congress Centre

This vast conference centre in the heart of the West End underwent a minor £4.2 million refurbishment a few years ago.

28 Great Russell Street. Tel: +44 20 74 67 13 18 - Email: congress.centre@tuc.org.uk Website: www.congresscentre.co.uk

Information

London & Partners

2 More London - Tel: +44 20 7234 58 00 or +44 20 7234 5833. Email: info@londonandpartners.com or conventionbureau@londonandpartners.com Internet: www.londonandpartners.com

Great Britain Tourist Office

Internet: www.visitbritain.com

French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain

Lincoln House, 300 High Holborn - Tel: +44 20 70 92 66 00 - Email: mail@ ccfgb.co.uk - Internet: www.ccfgb.co.uk

UK Trade & Investment France

British Embassy. 35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré. 75383 Paris Cedex 08. Tel: 01 44 51 34 00 - Email: commercialenquiries.paris@fco.gov.uk Internet: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

French Embassy

58 Knightsbridge. Tel: +44 20 70 73 1000 Internet: www.ambafrance-uk.org

London Town Hall

City Hall, The Queen's Walk, More London. Tel: +44 20 79 83 41 00 Email: mayor@london.gov.uk Website: www.london.gov.uk

Practical guides

• Louis Vuitton City Guide (2015)
• London CARTOVILLE, Gallimard (2014)
• London, Geoguide, Gallimard (2014)
• London, Wallpaper, Phaidon City Guide (2014)
• A great weekend in London 2015, Hachette (2014)

If you have an hour

The Shard

London has never been seen from so high up... From the 68th, 69th and 72nd floors, at an altitude of almost 245 metres, the view is 360 degrees. Mini-computers help you discover the names of the districts and monuments that can be seen from the glass tower designed by architect Renzo Piano. Several tour options are available during the day or in the evening, with an optional glass of champagne. Occasional film screenings, yoga classes and chocolate tastings are also organised.

The Shard. 32 London Bridge Street - Tel: +44 844 499 7111 - Email: enquiries@ theviewfromtheshard.com - Internet: www.the-shard.com/viewing-gallery

18 Stafford Terrace: Linley Sambourne House

A delightful little museum in a Victorian house where one of history's first cartoonists, Edward Linley Sambourne, lived. It's a plunge into a bygone era of infinite refinement. To be discovered on a date in Kensington, London's French quarter.

18 Stafford Terrace - Tel: +44 20 7602 3316 or +44 20 7938 1295 Email: museums@rbkc.gov.uk - Internet: www.rbkc.gov.uk