SeineRiver Cruise/London/Paris

TravelerThis was a fun thing to do. Tons of places to eat along the river. I could easily spend the afternoon here

TravelerThis is a fantastic panoramic shot across the River Thames in London, looking toward the City of London. Here’s what you’re seeing: ⸻ 🏛️ Landmarks in the Photo (Left to Right): 1. Red Brick Building (far left) – Part of Temple area architecture, possibly Inner Temple offices or related to legal institutions. 2. White Curved Building – This is the Unilever House, an Art Deco building that serves as the headquarters for Unilever in London. It sits at the north end of Blackfriars Bridge. 3. St. Paul’s Cathedral (right center) – With its iconic dome, St. Paul’s is one of London’s most famous landmarks. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, completed in 1710, it has hosted royal weddings, jubilees, and state funerals. 4. Blackfriars Bridge – The ornate bridge seen toward the right. Just behind it is Blackfriars Railway Bridge, with the Blackfriars Station, uniquely built over the river. 5. City Skyscrapers (background) – In the far background behind St. Paul’s, you can see some of London’s modern skyline—possibly the tops of buildings like One Blackfriars or parts of the financial district. ⸻ Quick History: • St. Paul’s Cathedral has stood as a symbol of resilience, famously surviving the Blitz in WWII. • The Blackfriars area was once home to a Dominican monastery (“Black Friars”), dissolved under Henry VIII. • The Unilever House was built in the 1930s and restored in the early 2000s to reflect both heritage and sustainability.

TravelerYou’re standing on the South Bank of the Thames in London—just outside the National Theatre or near the Oxo Tower Wharf, looking north/northeast across the river. ⸻ 🗺️ What’s in this view? • 🕍 Center: St. Paul’s Cathedral and its iconic dome. • 🌉 Bridge: Blackfriars Bridge, spanning the Thames in the mid-ground. • 🏙️ Skyscrapers in the background: London’s financial district—featuring the “Walkie-Talkie” (20 Fenchurch Street), the Cheesegrater (Leadenhall Building), and the Scalpel. • 🏢 Right Side: The curvy glass building is One Blackfriars, nicknamed “The Vase.” Beside it is the tall, rectangular South Bank Tower. • 🧱 Clock tower right of center: That’s part of Oxo Tower Wharf, a mixed-use space with shops, galleries, and riverside restaurants. • 🌳 Left side of the river: You can see the greenery of Victoria Embankment Gardens, near Somerset House. ⸻ 📜 Quick History: • The South Bank was historically industrial and working-class but has been redeveloped since the 1951 Festival of Britain into a vibrant cultural and arts district. • The Oxo Tower was originally a power station and later a meat company’s HQ (hence “Oxo”)—now it’s a symbol of creative renewal. • The City of London skyline continues to grow, mixing centuries-old churches like St. Paul’s with 21st-century towers.

TravelerThe building in your photo is Unilever House, a prominent landmark on the north side of the River Thames at the north end of Blackfriars Bridge in central London. 🏛️ About Unilever House: • Architectural Style: Neo-Classical with Art Deco influences. • Completed: 1933, designed by James Lomax-Simpson (chief architect for Unilever) with help from John Burnet & Partners. • Purpose: Headquarters for Unilever (a global consumer goods company). • Renovations: It underwent a major refurbishment in the early 2000s to modernize the interior while preserving the historic exterior. 📍 Location Context: • It sits at the corner of Victoria Embankment and New Bridge Street. • Right behind it (to the right in your photo) is the City of London area, marked by various spires and stone buildings like those of the Inns of Court. • The shot was taken from the South Bank side of the Thames, likely from near Gabriel’s Wharf or Oxo Tower Wharf.