The extraordinary Centre Georges-Pompidou
The Louvre or the Centre Pompidou? On my last trip to Paris, I decided not to choose, but to visit both museums. But for today’s post, I decided on the Beaubourg, as the Parisians call the Centre Pompidou.
Today it is arguably the Louvre’s most famous Museum. And it seems to everyone as if the idea of the Centre was doomed to success from the outset. But in the 1970s, it was a very bold presidential bet. It might not have played out. Well, I may never have seen the unique panorama of Paris from the upper floors of the Centre.
A bit of history
Back then, New York practically eclipsed Paris. The city lost its lead on the contemporary art scene. To top the Top 1, the French capital needed something original. Something that would become recognisable worldwide.
Georges Pompidou (yes, that’s right, the President of the Fifth Republic) decided to find a solution and implement another idea:
“I passionately want Paris to have a cultural centre which will be both a museum and a creative centre”.
Georges dreamed of having all forms of artistic expression represented in the new Centre. He did not see it as just another sanctuary for Paris’s creative elite, for bohemians. This was undoubtedly hotly debated. After all, some were against bringing culture to the masses.
Despite the debates, the architectural competition was held.
And then another culture shock awaited everyone. Designers Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano brainwashed everyone with their ingenuity. To free up space inside the building, they placed all the utilities and service equipment outside. So the Centre Pompidou looks like a building turned inside out. And you know, some Parisians still think that “Our Lady of the Pipe” does not fit into their idea of beauty and harmony.
But who asks them if visitors voted with their feet and broke all attendance records then and continue to do so now.
What did I like (apart from the history)?
- The original architecture. Who remembers the game Super Mario Bros? That’s where the world with the water pipes could have been drawn from ;)
- There are stunning views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower in the distance from the observation deck. And not only…
- Dosed pleasure.
Although there are over 50,000 works of art in the Museum, only 600 of them can be seen at any one time. The rest are stored and waiting to be shown.
- The ability to control your time.
You can walk around the Centre for hours, admiring the sculptures, photographs, and paintings in the National Museum of Modern Art, flipping through books in the Public Information Library, and discovering something new at the Institute for Acoustic and Musical Research. Or you can wander the halls and galleries for two hours, quickly forming an opinion on contemporary art, buy a souvenir and have a coffee at Georges Restaurant.
What is the best way to walk around the Pompidou Centre?
During my visit to the Centre, I heard that it is planning to close at the end of 2023 for four years of renovations. The administration expects to reopen in 2027 for its 50th anniversary. So if you have the opportunity, it is best not to postpone your visit.
And now for the tips:
- The Centre is seven levels. If you want to see everything, you will need to be at the Museum by 10 am.
2. Tickets need to be booked in advance to avoid waiting in line.
3. Before visiting the Centre, it is better to have a hearty breakfast. But you can always grab a coffee and croissant at the café to recharge before the long walk around the floors.
4. Visitors to the Centre are divided into two camps, arguing over whether it’s better to walk from the upper floors down or vice versa. I enjoyed the panorama of Paris first before looking at the Museum’s collections.
5. Make sure you’re comfortable. Since it’s a long walk, it’s best to wear comfortable shoes.
6. The admission ticket to the Centre is valid for the whole day, and you’re in the heart of Paris where you can enjoy some excellent food in the nearby streets. This means you can alternate between wanting works of art and French cuisine without being tied to the restaurants at the Centre Pompidou itself.
Have a great visit, and thanks for reading!
