The Centre Pompidou (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ pɔ̃pidu]), more fully the Centre national d'art et de culture Georges-Pompidou (English: National Georges Pompidou Centre of Art and Culture), also known as the Pompidou Centre in English, is a complex building in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil, and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architectural team of Richard Rogers, Su Rogers, Renzo Piano, along with Gianfranco Franchini.
It houses the Bibliothèque publique d'information (Public Information Library), a vast public library; the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe; and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research. Because of its location, the centre is known locally as Beaubourg (IPA: [bobuʁ]). It is named after Georges Pompidou, the President of France from 1969 to 1974 who commissioned the building, and was officially opened on 31 January 1977 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
I love this museum. There are always good temporary exhibitions and the permanent one is amazing. It's free under 26 years old (I think just EU citizens) and there should be a day each month that is free for everyone. I suggest to buy the ticket online and skip the queue, even if skipping the queue is a bit a strong word, as there are security checks that make also the priority entrance slower, but much less than the regular one. I suggest also to go to the top and have a nice view of the building and the view of the city.
Stefania CiardiFeb 8, 2018
A world-famous art gallery and an interesting place all round. The collection is great, and changes quite often. You need to buy tickets which aren't particularly expensive, but eat elsewhere as the restaurant is pricey. On a sunny day, parts of the museum can get very hot, particularly the escalators on the side of the building which are like a large long greenhouse without ventilation. Nobody seems to have thought of that. Very much worth a visit.
David HawleyFeb 13, 2018
Amazing content, undoubtedly a must go! My only comments regard the exposition light design, white cold light should not be the norm to light works, considering as well that when many of these pieces were produced this light wasn’t available for the artists themselves, rather a normal yellow light. The white light interferes directly on the colors. Beside that the centre should offer more spaces and furniture for the public to sit down and interact. There are just a couple of places at the entrance naturally always taken.. Beside that amazing.
Martin HolzmeisterJan 13, 2018
There are big queues, and security checks so be prepared. Order tickets online to join the slightly shorter line. But it is worth the wait. Inside it is simply the best art museum in the world. High ceilings, the ability to have generous natural light, extraordinary views and an uncompromising attitude towards showing the art. The collection is superb, and the space is a delight. The only negative is the cafe (a recurring theme in Paris) which was expensive and limited, but the staff was cheerful.
William BloorJan 5, 2018
We had an amazing time here, an unbelievable collection of modern art. Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, cubists, futurists, those sort of big names but also amazing works from newer and less well known artists. We spent hours here without even seeing the special exhibit and could have stayed longer if we hadn’t gotten hungry! One word of warning is that there is a long line to get in, I would recommend showing up like 15-20 minutes before it opens to wait so you get in quicker. Also a cafe and boutique and bookstore.
Katie WebberDec 28, 2017
Amazing experience! Huge range of artwork, from traditional to modern (the focus is obviously on modern art.) The building is a highly impressive feat of architecture that's perfect for a Modern Art Museum. The building is currently under renovation, so finding your way around can sometimes be challenging, but there is a fairly easy to use network of escalators suspended in tubes on the outside of the building. Make sure to visit the upper levels for a stunning view of the Paris skyline.
Leo QuinnMar 25, 2018
Excellent collection, beautifully curated. My favourite of the European modern art museums. Goes some way to addressing the whitewashing in many contemporary galleries' collections. Jolly and provocative. Best coat check. Worst for service in the top floor bar. More hostesses than you could count but only one waiter taking drinks orders and bringing the drinks.
Allan TylerMar 6, 2018
If modern art gets you going then this is the place to go. I found the building itself to be the most interesting. The exhibits generally less so. Well worth opening the mind to the possibility of enlightenment!
Paul HitchcockMar 31, 2018
Visiting The Centre Pompidou was an amazing experience and worth to cherish. The architecture of the building was extraordinary. Museum collections are rich and interesting. Undoubtedly it's one of the best museum showcasing modern and contemporary art. One downsize is it's crowded most of the time. It took me around 1 hour to get in.
Khaled AbdullahMar 25, 2018
Very nice place to visit. Interesting building and art. The restaurant was also worth a visit for sure. They had good vegetarian options. Remember if you're going with a free youth ticket you'll only have access to the museum floors and not the changing galleries. That came as a surprise to us and we didn't bother to go back and forth to get tickets.
Ville LahdenvuoApr 19, 2018
This place is great! We spent much more than 3 hours we had allotted exploring the non-directional galleries. I'm more a fan of contemporary art, but they have a nice mix of contemporary and modern pieces. Many of my favorite pieces in this gallery are experiential and don't lend themselves well to photographs, but I have many wonderful memories now! If you go on a sunny day, definitely go for a view of the top of Paris. First Sundays of the month are free entry, but be prepared for a long line!
Jade TongApr 12, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Pompidou. I arrived there a bit early on a rainy morning and was able to buy a ticket there easily. Loved the permanent and special exhibitions. Even just exploring the funky building was cool. The vibe of the whole place is great. Will return next time I'm in Paris!
George SimonApr 18, 2018
I really like this museum. Great location to get out of the heat of the city. Quiet and pricing is very good. Get in for free (aged 25). Very broad range of art. Everyone can find something interesting. No exit through the gift shop museum. But a very nice shop and very good restaurant. Staff is extremely polite and helpful. This is very uncommon for Paris. Enjoy the building and the art. And post pictures of the experience :-). Art’s for sharing.
Ramon MoorlagApr 21, 2018
A must-see in Paris! It is 180-degree difference from the traditional French museums. Stand/sit on the piazza and analyze the building. Get on the "caterpillar" escalator and go to the top for great views. Find a collection and roam around. We used our Paris Museum Passes for entry which cannot be used for entry to exhibits but we don't feel like we missed anything. I can't wait to go back and see more. I recommend more than 2.5 hours if your time allows.
Amy BrayJul 31, 2018
The Pompidou Center is rather ugly, but undeniable a classic piece of 70’s Bauhaus-architecture with blue, green, red, and yellow colors. The impressive white exoskeleton looks extraterrestrial. The advantage is that the outside steel structure leave room for a column-free indoor experience. The museum has a lot to offer in terms of photography, paintings and a must-see collection of contemporary art. The square outside is a very popular casual meet up for locals and tourists. Buy a drink at the Minop’ supermarket and soak in the Parisian atmosphere.
Søren Leth-NissenJul 26, 2018
Centre Georges Pompidou (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ ʒɔʁʒ pɔ̃pidu]), commonly shortened to Centre Pompidou and also known as the Pompidou Centre in English, is a complex building in the Beaubourgarea of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil, and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architectural team of Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, along with Gianfranco Franchini. It houses the Bibliothèque publique d'information (Public Information Library), a vast public library; the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe; and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research. Because of its location, the Centre is known locally as Beaubourg (IPA: [bobuʁ]).[1][2][3] It is named after Georges Pompidou, the President of France from 1969 to 1974 who commissioned the building, and was officially opened on 31 January 1977 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. As of 2006, the Centre Pompidou has had over 180 million visitors since 1977[4] and more than 5,209,678 visitors in 2013,[5] including 3,746,899 for the museum.[6] The sculpture Horizontal by Alexander Calder, a free-standing mobile that is 7.6 m (25 ft) tall, was placed in front of the Centre Pompidou in 2012. The idea for a multicultural complex, bringing together in one place different forms of art and literature, developed, in part, from the ideas of France's first Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux, a western proponent of the decentralisation of art and culture by impulse of the political power.[7] In the 1960s, city planners decided to move the foodmarkets of Les Halles, historically significant structures long prized by Parisians, with the idea that some of the cultural institutes be built in the former market area. Hoping to renew the idea of Paris as a leading city of culture and art, it was proposed to move the Musée d'Art Moderne to this new location. Paris also needed a large, free public library, as one did not exist at this time. At first the debate concerned Les Halles, but as the controversy settled, in 1968, President Charles de Gaulle announced the Plateau Beaubourg as the new site for the library. A year later in 1969, the new president adopted the Beaubourg project and decided it to be the location of both the new library and a centre for the contemporary arts. In the process of developing the project, the IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) was also housed in the complex. By the mid-1980s, the Centre Pompidou was becoming the victim of its huge and unexpected popularity, its many activities, and a complex administrative structure. When Dominique Bozo returned to the Centre in 1981 as Director of the Musée National d'Art Moderne, he re-installed the museum, bringing out the full range of its collections and displayed the many major acquisitions that had been made.[8] By 1992, the Centre de Création Industrielle was incorporated into the Centre Pompidou. Since re-opening in 2000 after a three-year renovation, the Centre Pompidou has improved accessibility for visitors. Now they can only access the escalators if they pay to enter the museum.[9]
Davide YangJul 19, 2018
Cool building. There is a public library on the other side that's open to everyone. There were plenty of desks and seats over three floors. Very nice and quiet place to study or work. Exciting it seems you must go out the same exit as the museum which is a little annoying. Other than that great facilities and a cafeteria where you can purchase refreshments in the 2nd floor, which is also where the bathrooms are located.
T YoungAug 4, 2018
The architecture of this building alone is enough to give it a 5 star rating. We pre-booked tickets so had a fairly swift entry, and the staff were very friendly. Our tickets allowed us access to everything inside. We didn't have enough time to see it all but we will be returning as the artwork and exhibitions are wonderful. Make sure you go to the top of the building because the views of Paris are incredible
Max Hastings-HerbertJul 29, 2018
I love this museum. There are always good temporary exhibitions and the permanent one is amazing. It's free under 26 years old (I think just EU citizens) and there should be a day each month that is free for everyone. I suggest to buy the ticket online and skip the queue, even if skipping the queue is a bit a strong word, as there are security checks that make also the priority entrance slower, but much less than the regular one. I suggest also to go to the top and have a nice view of the building and the view of the city.
Stefania CiardiFeb 8, 2018
A world-famous art gallery and an interesting place all round. The collection is great, and changes quite often. You need to buy tickets which aren't particularly expensive, but eat elsewhere as the restaurant is pricey. On a sunny day, parts of the museum can get very hot, particularly the escalators on the side of the building which are like a large long greenhouse without ventilation. Nobody seems to have thought of that. Very much worth a visit.
David HawleyFeb 13, 2018
Amazing content, undoubtedly a must go! My only comments regard the exposition light design, white cold light should not be the norm to light works, considering as well that when many of these pieces were produced this light wasn’t available for the artists themselves, rather a normal yellow light. The white light interferes directly on the colors. Beside that the centre should offer more spaces and furniture for the public to sit down and interact. There are just a couple of places at the entrance naturally always taken.. Beside that amazing.
Martin HolzmeisterJan 13, 2018
There are big queues, and security checks so be prepared. Order tickets online to join the slightly shorter line. But it is worth the wait. Inside it is simply the best art museum in the world. High ceilings, the ability to have generous natural light, extraordinary views and an uncompromising attitude towards showing the art. The collection is superb, and the space is a delight. The only negative is the cafe (a recurring theme in Paris) which was expensive and limited, but the staff was cheerful.
William BloorJan 5, 2018
We had an amazing time here, an unbelievable collection of modern art. Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, cubists, futurists, those sort of big names but also amazing works from newer and less well known artists. We spent hours here without even seeing the special exhibit and could have stayed longer if we hadn’t gotten hungry! One word of warning is that there is a long line to get in, I would recommend showing up like 15-20 minutes before it opens to wait so you get in quicker. Also a cafe and boutique and bookstore.
Katie WebberDec 28, 2017
Amazing experience! Huge range of artwork, from traditional to modern (the focus is obviously on modern art.) The building is a highly impressive feat of architecture that's perfect for a Modern Art Museum. The building is currently under renovation, so finding your way around can sometimes be challenging, but there is a fairly easy to use network of escalators suspended in tubes on the outside of the building. Make sure to visit the upper levels for a stunning view of the Paris skyline.
Leo QuinnMar 25, 2018
Excellent collection, beautifully curated. My favourite of the European modern art museums. Goes some way to addressing the whitewashing in many contemporary galleries' collections. Jolly and provocative. Best coat check. Worst for service in the top floor bar. More hostesses than you could count but only one waiter taking drinks orders and bringing the drinks.
Allan TylerMar 6, 2018
If modern art gets you going then this is the place to go. I found the building itself to be the most interesting. The exhibits generally less so. Well worth opening the mind to the possibility of enlightenment!
Paul HitchcockMar 31, 2018
Visiting The Centre Pompidou was an amazing experience and worth to cherish. The architecture of the building was extraordinary. Museum collections are rich and interesting. Undoubtedly it's one of the best museum showcasing modern and contemporary art. One downsize is it's crowded most of the time. It took me around 1 hour to get in.
Khaled AbdullahMar 25, 2018
Very nice place to visit. Interesting building and art. The restaurant was also worth a visit for sure. They had good vegetarian options. Remember if you're going with a free youth ticket you'll only have access to the museum floors and not the changing galleries. That came as a surprise to us and we didn't bother to go back and forth to get tickets.
Ville LahdenvuoApr 19, 2018
This place is great! We spent much more than 3 hours we had allotted exploring the non-directional galleries. I'm more a fan of contemporary art, but they have a nice mix of contemporary and modern pieces. Many of my favorite pieces in this gallery are experiential and don't lend themselves well to photographs, but I have many wonderful memories now! If you go on a sunny day, definitely go for a view of the top of Paris. First Sundays of the month are free entry, but be prepared for a long line!
Jade TongApr 12, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Pompidou. I arrived there a bit early on a rainy morning and was able to buy a ticket there easily. Loved the permanent and special exhibitions. Even just exploring the funky building was cool. The vibe of the whole place is great. Will return next time I'm in Paris!
George SimonApr 18, 2018
I really like this museum. Great location to get out of the heat of the city. Quiet and pricing is very good. Get in for free (aged 25). Very broad range of art. Everyone can find something interesting. No exit through the gift shop museum. But a very nice shop and very good restaurant. Staff is extremely polite and helpful. This is very uncommon for Paris. Enjoy the building and the art. And post pictures of the experience :-). Art’s for sharing.
Ramon MoorlagApr 21, 2018
A must-see in Paris! It is 180-degree difference from the traditional French museums. Stand/sit on the piazza and analyze the building. Get on the "caterpillar" escalator and go to the top for great views. Find a collection and roam around. We used our Paris Museum Passes for entry which cannot be used for entry to exhibits but we don't feel like we missed anything. I can't wait to go back and see more. I recommend more than 2.5 hours if your time allows.
Amy BrayJul 31, 2018
The Pompidou Center is rather ugly, but undeniable a classic piece of 70’s Bauhaus-architecture with blue, green, red, and yellow colors. The impressive white exoskeleton looks extraterrestrial. The advantage is that the outside steel structure leave room for a column-free indoor experience. The museum has a lot to offer in terms of photography, paintings and a must-see collection of contemporary art. The square outside is a very popular casual meet up for locals and tourists. Buy a drink at the Minop’ supermarket and soak in the Parisian atmosphere.
Søren Leth-NissenJul 26, 2018
Centre Georges Pompidou (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ ʒɔʁʒ pɔ̃pidu]), commonly shortened to Centre Pompidou and also known as the Pompidou Centre in English, is a complex building in the Beaubourgarea of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil, and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architectural team of Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, along with Gianfranco Franchini. It houses the Bibliothèque publique d'information (Public Information Library), a vast public library; the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe; and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research. Because of its location, the Centre is known locally as Beaubourg (IPA: [bobuʁ]).[1][2][3] It is named after Georges Pompidou, the President of France from 1969 to 1974 who commissioned the building, and was officially opened on 31 January 1977 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. As of 2006, the Centre Pompidou has had over 180 million visitors since 1977[4] and more than 5,209,678 visitors in 2013,[5] including 3,746,899 for the museum.[6] The sculpture Horizontal by Alexander Calder, a free-standing mobile that is 7.6 m (25 ft) tall, was placed in front of the Centre Pompidou in 2012. The idea for a multicultural complex, bringing together in one place different forms of art and literature, developed, in part, from the ideas of France's first Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux, a western proponent of the decentralisation of art and culture by impulse of the political power.[7] In the 1960s, city planners decided to move the foodmarkets of Les Halles, historically significant structures long prized by Parisians, with the idea that some of the cultural institutes be built in the former market area. Hoping to renew the idea of Paris as a leading city of culture and art, it was proposed to move the Musée d'Art Moderne to this new location. Paris also needed a large, free public library, as one did not exist at this time. At first the debate concerned Les Halles, but as the controversy settled, in 1968, President Charles de Gaulle announced the Plateau Beaubourg as the new site for the library. A year later in 1969, the new president adopted the Beaubourg project and decided it to be the location of both the new library and a centre for the contemporary arts. In the process of developing the project, the IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) was also housed in the complex. By the mid-1980s, the Centre Pompidou was becoming the victim of its huge and unexpected popularity, its many activities, and a complex administrative structure. When Dominique Bozo returned to the Centre in 1981 as Director of the Musée National d'Art Moderne, he re-installed the museum, bringing out the full range of its collections and displayed the many major acquisitions that had been made.[8] By 1992, the Centre de Création Industrielle was incorporated into the Centre Pompidou. Since re-opening in 2000 after a three-year renovation, the Centre Pompidou has improved accessibility for visitors. Now they can only access the escalators if they pay to enter the museum.[9]
Davide YangJul 19, 2018
Cool building. There is a public library on the other side that's open to everyone. There were plenty of desks and seats over three floors. Very nice and quiet place to study or work. Exciting it seems you must go out the same exit as the museum which is a little annoying. Other than that great facilities and a cafeteria where you can purchase refreshments in the 2nd floor, which is also where the bathrooms are located.
T YoungAug 4, 2018
The architecture of this building alone is enough to give it a 5 star rating. We pre-booked tickets so had a fairly swift entry, and the staff were very friendly. Our tickets allowed us access to everything inside. We didn't have enough time to see it all but we will be returning as the artwork and exhibitions are wonderful. Make sure you go to the top of the building because the views of Paris are incredible
Max Hastings-HerbertJul 29, 2018
I love this museum. There are always good temporary exhibitions and the permanent one is amazing. It's free under 26 years old (I think just EU citizens) and there should be a day each month that is free for everyone. I suggest to buy the ticket online and skip the queue, even if skipping the queue is a bit a strong word, as there are security checks that make also the priority entrance slower, but much less than the regular one. I suggest also to go to the top and have a nice view of the building and the view of the city.
Stefania CiardiFeb 8, 2018
A world-famous art gallery and an interesting place all round. The collection is great, and changes quite often. You need to buy tickets which aren't particularly expensive, but eat elsewhere as the restaurant is pricey. On a sunny day, parts of the museum can get very hot, particularly the escalators on the side of the building which are like a large long greenhouse without ventilation. Nobody seems to have thought of that. Very much worth a visit.
David HawleyFeb 13, 2018
Amazing content, undoubtedly a must go! My only comments regard the exposition light design, white cold light should not be the norm to light works, considering as well that when many of these pieces were produced this light wasn’t available for the artists themselves, rather a normal yellow light. The white light interferes directly on the colors. Beside that the centre should offer more spaces and furniture for the public to sit down and interact. There are just a couple of places at the entrance naturally always taken.. Beside that amazing.
Martin HolzmeisterJan 13, 2018
There are big queues, and security checks so be prepared. Order tickets online to join the slightly shorter line. But it is worth the wait. Inside it is simply the best art museum in the world. High ceilings, the ability to have generous natural light, extraordinary views and an uncompromising attitude towards showing the art. The collection is superb, and the space is a delight. The only negative is the cafe (a recurring theme in Paris) which was expensive and limited, but the staff was cheerful.
William BloorJan 5, 2018
We had an amazing time here, an unbelievable collection of modern art. Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, cubists, futurists, those sort of big names but also amazing works from newer and less well known artists. We spent hours here without even seeing the special exhibit and could have stayed longer if we hadn’t gotten hungry! One word of warning is that there is a long line to get in, I would recommend showing up like 15-20 minutes before it opens to wait so you get in quicker. Also a cafe and boutique and bookstore.
Katie WebberDec 28, 2017
Amazing experience! Huge range of artwork, from traditional to modern (the focus is obviously on modern art.) The building is a highly impressive feat of architecture that's perfect for a Modern Art Museum. The building is currently under renovation, so finding your way around can sometimes be challenging, but there is a fairly easy to use network of escalators suspended in tubes on the outside of the building. Make sure to visit the upper levels for a stunning view of the Paris skyline.
Leo QuinnMar 25, 2018
Excellent collection, beautifully curated. My favourite of the European modern art museums. Goes some way to addressing the whitewashing in many contemporary galleries' collections. Jolly and provocative. Best coat check. Worst for service in the top floor bar. More hostesses than you could count but only one waiter taking drinks orders and bringing the drinks.
Allan TylerMar 6, 2018
If modern art gets you going then this is the place to go. I found the building itself to be the most interesting. The exhibits generally less so. Well worth opening the mind to the possibility of enlightenment!
Paul HitchcockMar 31, 2018
Visiting The Centre Pompidou was an amazing experience and worth to cherish. The architecture of the building was extraordinary. Museum collections are rich and interesting. Undoubtedly it's one of the best museum showcasing modern and contemporary art. One downsize is it's crowded most of the time. It took me around 1 hour to get in.
Khaled AbdullahMar 25, 2018
Very nice place to visit. Interesting building and art. The restaurant was also worth a visit for sure. They had good vegetarian options. Remember if you're going with a free youth ticket you'll only have access to the museum floors and not the changing galleries. That came as a surprise to us and we didn't bother to go back and forth to get tickets.
Ville LahdenvuoApr 19, 2018
This place is great! We spent much more than 3 hours we had allotted exploring the non-directional galleries. I'm more a fan of contemporary art, but they have a nice mix of contemporary and modern pieces. Many of my favorite pieces in this gallery are experiential and don't lend themselves well to photographs, but I have many wonderful memories now! If you go on a sunny day, definitely go for a view of the top of Paris. First Sundays of the month are free entry, but be prepared for a long line!
Jade TongApr 12, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Pompidou. I arrived there a bit early on a rainy morning and was able to buy a ticket there easily. Loved the permanent and special exhibitions. Even just exploring the funky building was cool. The vibe of the whole place is great. Will return next time I'm in Paris!
George SimonApr 18, 2018
I really like this museum. Great location to get out of the heat of the city. Quiet and pricing is very good. Get in for free (aged 25). Very broad range of art. Everyone can find something interesting. No exit through the gift shop museum. But a very nice shop and very good restaurant. Staff is extremely polite and helpful. This is very uncommon for Paris. Enjoy the building and the art. And post pictures of the experience :-). Art’s for sharing.
Ramon MoorlagApr 21, 2018
A must-see in Paris! It is 180-degree difference from the traditional French museums. Stand/sit on the piazza and analyze the building. Get on the "caterpillar" escalator and go to the top for great views. Find a collection and roam around. We used our Paris Museum Passes for entry which cannot be used for entry to exhibits but we don't feel like we missed anything. I can't wait to go back and see more. I recommend more than 2.5 hours if your time allows.
Amy BrayJul 31, 2018
The Pompidou Center is rather ugly, but undeniable a classic piece of 70’s Bauhaus-architecture with blue, green, red, and yellow colors. The impressive white exoskeleton looks extraterrestrial. The advantage is that the outside steel structure leave room for a column-free indoor experience. The museum has a lot to offer in terms of photography, paintings and a must-see collection of contemporary art. The square outside is a very popular casual meet up for locals and tourists. Buy a drink at the Minop’ supermarket and soak in the Parisian atmosphere.
Søren Leth-NissenJul 26, 2018
Centre Georges Pompidou (French pronunciation: [sɑ̃tʁ ʒɔʁʒ pɔ̃pidu]), commonly shortened to Centre Pompidou and also known as the Pompidou Centre in English, is a complex building in the Beaubourgarea of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil, and the Marais. It was designed in the style of high-tech architecture by the architectural team of Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, along with Gianfranco Franchini. It houses the Bibliothèque publique d'information (Public Information Library), a vast public library; the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe; and IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research. Because of its location, the Centre is known locally as Beaubourg (IPA: [bobuʁ]).[1][2][3] It is named after Georges Pompidou, the President of France from 1969 to 1974 who commissioned the building, and was officially opened on 31 January 1977 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. As of 2006, the Centre Pompidou has had over 180 million visitors since 1977[4] and more than 5,209,678 visitors in 2013,[5] including 3,746,899 for the museum.[6] The sculpture Horizontal by Alexander Calder, a free-standing mobile that is 7.6 m (25 ft) tall, was placed in front of the Centre Pompidou in 2012. The idea for a multicultural complex, bringing together in one place different forms of art and literature, developed, in part, from the ideas of France's first Minister of Cultural Affairs, André Malraux, a western proponent of the decentralisation of art and culture by impulse of the political power.[7] In the 1960s, city planners decided to move the foodmarkets of Les Halles, historically significant structures long prized by Parisians, with the idea that some of the cultural institutes be built in the former market area. Hoping to renew the idea of Paris as a leading city of culture and art, it was proposed to move the Musée d'Art Moderne to this new location. Paris also needed a large, free public library, as one did not exist at this time. At first the debate concerned Les Halles, but as the controversy settled, in 1968, President Charles de Gaulle announced the Plateau Beaubourg as the new site for the library. A year later in 1969, the new president adopted the Beaubourg project and decided it to be the location of both the new library and a centre for the contemporary arts. In the process of developing the project, the IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) was also housed in the complex. By the mid-1980s, the Centre Pompidou was becoming the victim of its huge and unexpected popularity, its many activities, and a complex administrative structure. When Dominique Bozo returned to the Centre in 1981 as Director of the Musée National d'Art Moderne, he re-installed the museum, bringing out the full range of its collections and displayed the many major acquisitions that had been made.[8] By 1992, the Centre de Création Industrielle was incorporated into the Centre Pompidou. Since re-opening in 2000 after a three-year renovation, the Centre Pompidou has improved accessibility for visitors. Now they can only access the escalators if they pay to enter the museum.[9]
Davide YangJul 19, 2018
Cool building. There is a public library on the other side that's open to everyone. There were plenty of desks and seats over three floors. Very nice and quiet place to study or work. Exciting it seems you must go out the same exit as the museum which is a little annoying. Other than that great facilities and a cafeteria where you can purchase refreshments in the 2nd floor, which is also where the bathrooms are located.
T YoungAug 4, 2018
The architecture of this building alone is enough to give it a 5 star rating. We pre-booked tickets so had a fairly swift entry, and the staff were very friendly. Our tickets allowed us access to everything inside. We didn't have enough time to see it all but we will be returning as the artwork and exhibitions are wonderful. Make sure you go to the top of the building because the views of Paris are incredible
Max Hastings-HerbertJul 29, 2018
Monday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Tuesday | Closed |
Wednesday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Thursday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Friday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Saturday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Sunday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
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