Such a bad idea – such a roar from the public claiming their hero back! The more he resisted, the more letters came through the door. He had not choice but bring the detective back to life, a total of 56 stories.

This success remains unchanged today – just look at the number of visitors at his supposed address where a small museum has been created! Nothing historical here but a nice atmospheric stop. Lovely time travel and ideal with kids.

Gosh, the houses were small in that street. But it’s enough and makes it even cuter somehow. The first floor probably is the best – you really can picture the two friends chatting the night away. You almost expect to see Sherlock’s pipe smoking in a corner. Watson usually is here, welcoming you and proposing a picture in the detective’s chair. Complete with the hat, of course. Alternatively, pose with the bobby outside who keeps a cape and a few hats at hand for souvenir photos too….

Oh, and do get a few quaint souvenirs from the shop. You’ll find everything from Teddy bears to pipes and matches in there.

Sherlock Holmes Museum
221b Baker St
London
NW1 6XE

£6/adult, £4/enfant

Equipped with fun accessories? Why not go and pose in profile in the tube station?

Le groupe japonais SANAA cree la surprise avec cette riviere argentee qui se faufile dans les airs, fluide, magique. Les arbres et les nuages s’y reflentent et la realite s’estompe. Seuls les fins poteaux, argentes eux aussi, vous rappellent au monde reel.

Venez a differentes heures de la journee admirer les luminosites varier, les nuages traverser ce miroir, les gouttes d’eau eclater le paysage en mosaique… Je l’aime particulierement a la tombee de la nuit, quand les phares des voitures y creent un feu d’artifice. Une ouevre toujours en mouvement. La pluie y tombe en musique rhythmique mais douce. On ne resiste pas a en faire tomber l’eau une fois l’ondee terminee – sans reflechir, un geste instinctif…

Les artistes refutent l’idee de monument – il s’agit pour eux d’une atmosphere, une excellente definition, elle cree effectivement en vous une emotion…

Des photos du pavillon de l’an dernier par ici.

Pssst: regardez attentivement. L’oeuvre n’est composee que d’une seule immense plaque d’aluminium.

Pssst! (2): passez a la gallerie juste derriere voir l’exposition Koons. C’est gratuit!

Note aux parents: Ideal. Vous y trouverez meme un mini-cafe. Des toilettes sont disponibles dans la galerie. Asseyez-vous dans l’herbe et laissez les enfants s’amuser de cet etonnant miroir. La route est a distance, vous pouvez etre tranquille. Pourquoi ne pas continuer la ballade dans le parc? Vous y trouverez deux terrains de jeux (dont le tres celebre Diana Memorial Playground, sur le theme Peter Pan, mais attention, beaucoup d’attente le week-end). Emmenez un ballon, des bulles de savon: les enfants s’epuiseront sans votre aide!

The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion
Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens
London
W2 3XA
Jusqu’au / Until 18 octobre 2009
Tous les jours / Daily
Gratuit! Free!
Plan du parc / The map pour the park

For the ninth year in a row, the Serpentine Gallery lanched a temporary and dreamlike architecture poject… A great stop on your way to Kensington gardens!

The Japanese group SANAA creates the surprise this time with an incredible silver river, floating away in the air, fluid, magical… Trees and clouds mirror in it and for a moment, reality falters. The narrow silver pillars are the only link with the real world.

Do come at different times of the day to enjoy the different light reflections, the clouds crossing away, the drops transforming the sky in a scattered mosaic… I parcticularly like it at dusk when the cars driving past create a kind of fireworks… It seems to be ever evolving. The falling rain creates a rythmic but soft music on this unbelievable roof. And you will not resist caressing the roof to make the water falls… You don’t even think about it, it’s almost instinctive.

The artists refute the idea of a building, a monument: to them, it is a collection of atmospheres. Such a clever and adequate definition!

Wonder what last year’s looked like? Look here.

Pssst: Look closely. The roof is made of a single, huge, aluminium sheet…

Pssst! (2): why not walk to the gallery just behing and have a look at the Koons exhibition? It’s free!

Note to parents: Ideal. It even shelters a mini-cafe. You’ll find toilets in the nearby gallery.Sit down in the grass under a tree and just let the kids look at the mirrored pictures, run around… the road is at a distance, you can be at peace. Why not keep on walking through the park? You’ll find two playgrounds (including the Diana Memorial one, really good, Peter pan themed but quite a queue to get in at the week-ends). Bring a ball, some bubbles to blow, and the kids will run and exhaust themselves!

CA4LA (to be pronounced cashila) is full of hats. 3000 different designs! So many shapes and colours, some classical, oter extravagant, from going to the beach to partying at a smart wedding…

Of course, you’ll think you’re not into hats.  I mean, it’s so old fashioned, right? But those… You can’t resist putting one one.  And it has elegance, prestance, it just adds this little extra touch… You reconsider, fall in love with the whole collection. Prices are whithin a reasonable range too.

Even better, you’re welcomed with a smile and left in peace… To be tried, tested and approved!

CA4LA
23 Pitfield Street
Shoreditch
London
N1 6HB

La trademark? Un muffin geant, avec glacage psychedelique et decoration en bonbon tout aussi fantastique. Le choix est large: citron-pavot, myrtille, pomme-raisins, baies-yaourt… Des parts de gateaux, enormes, couvertes de sucreries sont egalement disponibles. Willy Wonka serait fou de joie.

Le verdict? La pate est farineuse, peu gouteuse. Le glacage est extraordinairement chimique. Des 5 testeuses, 3 adultes et 2 enfants, aucun ne finira sa part.

Un festin… pour les yeux. Une belle occasion de delire, de photo.  Je recommanderais plutot, a quelques pas de la,  un cookie au double chocolat encore fondant de Ben’s ou un adorable cupcake chez Primrose Bakery. La, vous vous regalerez vraiment…

Candy Cakes
Unit 30Covent
Garden Piazza
London
WC2E 8RA
D’autres adresses sur Londres sur le site web
More addresses throughout London on the website
£2.90 – £3.50 / candycake

Candycakes windows always made me dream and dribble.  Such a party! Always colourful and funky: you cannot help but stop. You see them from meters away.

The trademark? A kind of big muffin, bright coloured icing, a Haribo sweet on top. And a wide choice of flavours: lemon-poppy, blueberry, apple-raisins, berries-yogurt… Huge slices of cakes, covered in sweets are also available. Willy Woonka would be mad with joy…

The verdict? Too floury for the cake, too chemical for the icing. Out of 5 testers, 3 adults and 2 kids, none will finish their treat.

A feast… for the eyes. An occasion for fun, for a cool picture with friends.

As for tastes, I would really recommend instead…. a (still warm and melting) double chocolate cookie from Ben’s or a cute cupcake from Primrose Bakery. Both are nearby and much more enjoyable.

Courez donc vous asseoir, pour un instant de celebrite entre Ro0sevelt et Churchill (qui ont cree ensemble les Nations Unies) – une sculpture en bronze de Lawrence Holofcener. Les commercants de la rue se sont unis pour offrir l’oeuvre a la ville de Westminster pour comemorer 50 ans de paix en 1995.

Dites cheeeeeese!

The Allies
A l’intersection de Old Bond St et New Bond Street, London
Where Old Bond St meets New Bond Street, London

Don’t miss in Old Bond Street, amid the elegant and expensive shops, this excellent photo opportunity!

For a minute of fame, come and sit between Roosevelt and Churchill (who created the United Nation) -  a bronze sculpture by Lawrence Holofcener. The Bond Street Association offered it to the city of Westminster in 1995 to celebrate 50 years of peace.

Say cheeeeeeese!