Being a French Tourist in London

If you are travelling from France this year to London, you’ll want to know what the best tricks are for visiting the city so that you get the most out of it. To be honest, there is no ‘perfect’ time to visit London; every season has its pros and cons. If you want to experience some festive atmosphere, anytime from November to the beginning of January is a good bet. In summer, you can take advantage of many more of the outdoor activities and sightseeing tours.

Here are some great statistics about French tourists visiting London:

• Most trips are by those aged 25-44

• More than half of holiday visitors from France are making a repeat trip to Britain

• 91% of departing visitors are ‘very’ or ‘extremely likely’ to recommend Britain for a holiday or short-break.

When it comes to the Brits, these are the common top thoughts that the French have about Britons:

• The French hold a less positive view of Britain than people from other countries

• They rate Britain highly for contemporary culture.

• They think Britain is great for vibrant cities and sport, but not so great for welcome and scenic natural beauty

• Museums and music are popular among the French

• Positives for Britain include the ‘ease of getting around’, ‘good shopping’, ‘being somewhere to see famous sites’ and for ‘lots of history’

• Very few people consider Britain as the ‘best place for ‘food and drink’

• Activities that appeal to potential French visitors include a ‘visit to Buckingham Palace’ and ‘spotting wildlife in the Scottish Highlands’

If you want to make the most of your trip to London, or if you have French friends over and want to ensure they have the best time, make sure you do some of the following attractions:

1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
2. Coca-Cola London Eye
3. Hop on Hop off Bus Tour – where you can see sights such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.
4. Madame Tussauds London - Tickets from £31
5. The View from The Shard - Tickets from £30.95
6. Kensington Palace - Tickets from £17
7. London Dungeon - Tickets from £23.20
8. Tower of London - Tickets from £24.80
9. ZSL London Zoo - Tickets from £20.45
10. Shrek’s Adventure! London – Tickets from £18.70

Getting around in London
One of the easiest ways of getting around in London is via the tube, but if you want to explore more than just the city, you might be considering hiring a car to get you round the country. You can travel to the beach, in places like Dorset or Kent, within a couple of hours by car.

To rent a car in London use one of the highly rated rental companies below:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Easirent
• Enterprise
• Europcar
• Firefly EU
• Flizzr
• Green Motion
• Hertz
• Interrent EU
• Keddy By Europcar
• National
• Sixt

Tips for driving in London

• Traffic can be heavy in Central London so expect delays often
• There’s a congestion charge from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm
• Finding a parking space isn’t always easy - Don’t forget parking on double yellow lines is forbidden.
• You must drive on the left-hand side
• You overtake on the outside right lane on motorways
• On roundabouts, cars on the right have priority.
• Wearing seatbelts is compulsary
• Use of mobile phones while driving prohibited.
• Keep your driver’s licence always at hand, along with your ID (passport) and insurance papers.

Staying in London

There are many hotels to stay in within the London area. You’ll want to find a hotel that is well connected to all parts of the city so that you can make the most of your visit. A hotel such as The Montcalm London Marble Arch Hotel is one good choice. One trip advisor reviewer said of this hotel, “I booked this hotel at the recommendation of a close friend. He told me that the location is very good and that the service is very personal and attentive…After my stay, I had to thank him as it was indeed all that he told me and more. The check-in process was smooth and very friendly. The rooms were clean and functional. Whether you are visiting London for business or simply shopping, I will gladly give this hotel a big thumbs up. Walking distance to the world-renowned Oxford Street and Marble Arch. Many pubs and restaurants are also close by and within walking distance. I do intend to stay here during my future trips.”

The Marble Arch London hotel is situated in the heart of London’s finest shopping district so you can be sure to be close to all the action in terms of shopping, and it offers spacious luxurious accommodation, with 5-star luxury amenities to all guests. The fresh and seasonal cuisine is served in the Crescent Restaurant and Lounge which is on site. You’ll also find The Grill at The Montcalm which provides modern and delicious grill dishes. If you fancy a drink, The Montcalm Bar offers an extensive bar menu and a variety of cocktails and traditional English afternoon teas if you’d like to experience a traditional British treat.

Need some relaxation? The Montcalm Spa includes a relaxing spa pool, sauna, and steam room. Guests can also unwind on heated loungers. If you want to do some working out, there is also a fitness room on site!

Have fun on your trip to London!