DOSSIER - Singapore: smart city

Singapore is now the world's third-largest financial centre, according to a London think tank. This power gives it the means to become a true smart city, a city of the future where robots will soon be mankind's best friend. And yet, with its tall towers and 5.7 million inhabitants, the city has managed to preserve some of its authenticity in old districts such as Chinatown, Little India and Tiong Bahru, where small cafés and charming boutique hotels thrive. However, it is the international chains that are pushing up the hotel offer in the city-state, which is already very well endowed in this respect. So, to take a breather for a while, head for Sentosa Island, in the middle of the jungle but just 10 minutes from the city centre, for a slightly wilder Singapore. Report by Cécile Balavoine - Photos by Ludovic Maisant