Centre Georges Pompidou

Place Beaubourg (4)
Underground: Rambuteau, Châtelet
Tel. (0) 1 44 78 12 33
www.centrepompidou.fr
open: Monday/Wednesday-Sunday 11am-10pm.

Monday/ Wednesday-Friday 12am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-10pm. Centre Georges Pompidou is a steel and glass construction. Its pipes, iron supports and tubes remind you more of a spaceship than of an important work of art. It was erected between 1972 and 1978 during the presidency of Georges Pompidou. This colossus, which gave the old district of Beaubourg a completely new outlook, was for many years one of the most hotly debated architectural structures in France. Yet, in spite of this – or perhaps because of this – the controversial Centre has become one of the country’s leading crowd pullers. 

The array of cultural events offered on its five floors is staggering. The souterrain houses IRCAM, the music research institute. Current exhibitions are held in the grand hall. A bookshop sells an impressive amount of books and posters. The Bibliothèque Publique d’Information or BPI (Public Information Library) offers free entrance on its first and second floors, whereas the upper floors house the permanent collection of 20th century art comprising in total 34,000 pieces. From the terrace or whilst having a snack at the fifth floor restaurant the visitor has a magnificent panoramic view across the roofs of Paris, as far as the cream cake church of Sacré Coeur. The colourful hustle and bustle on the square in front of the Centre is an attraction in itself during the summer months: young backpackers from all over the globe exchange their experiences, lovers of the arts take a rest from a tiring visit to the museum, and street musicians and acrobats entertain the crowds.

Back to Sightseeing highlights

Home I  Welcome to Paris  I  History  I  City Tour  I  Practical  I Maps