View of The Shard

Viewpoint over The Shard

The London audio-guided tour offers you, from the banks of the Thames, a fine view of The Shard, the tallest skyscraper of the city. Its name, which means shard of glass, evokes its slender and sparkling silhouette.

A work by Renzo Piano

Looking up at its summit, you notice that it ends in small asymmetrical points, evoking a broken glass bottle, hence its name. A flagship monument of contemporary London, The Shard was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, also known for the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Its entirely glazed façade reflects the London sky and changes appearance with the hours and the weather.

What there is to see

From the banks, The Shard stands out against the skyline, an immense glass spire that dominates the south bank of the Thames. The skyscraper houses offices, a hotel, restaurants and, at its summit, an observation platform offering a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view over London. By day as by night, its silhouette is one of the major landmarks of the capital.

Practical information

This viewpoint can be discovered from the banks of the Thames, in London, facing the south bank where The Shard rises. The panorama can be contemplated freely; access to the skyscraper's observation platform follows its own schedule, with a charge, whose opening times may vary with the season.

What does the name The Shard mean?

Shard of glass, in reference to its summit with asymmetrical points evoking a broken glass bottle.

Who designed The Shard?

The Italian architect Renzo Piano, also known for the Pompidou Centre in Paris; it is the tallest skyscraper in London.