Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou
5 minutes read•Published on 27-10-2024
Centre Pompidou, located in Paris, France, is a famous spot for culture and arts. This building serves several purposes. It has a large public library, a music and acoustic research centre called IRCAM, and the Musée National d'Art Moderne - the biggest museum for modern art in Europe. The Centre Pompidou, which opened its doors in 1977, stands out because of its high-tech architecture. This makes it a popular destination for people interested in arts and building design across the world.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Centre Pompidou with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Centre Pompidou in Paris started its journey on January 31, 1977. It's named after Georges Pompidou, who was the France President from 1969 to 1974 and commissioned the project. This building represents modern and contemporary art in Paris. Notably, it has a unique design by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, with its structure and features like ducts and pipes visible from the outside.
This centre was one of the first to bring diverse cultural arts together in one place. Inside the Centre Pompidou, you can find the National Museum of Modern Art, a public library, and a research centre for music and acoustics. The museum section alone houses more than 50,000 pieces of art from over 5,000 artists. This makes it the biggest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.
When the Centre Pompidou was built, its forward-thinking architecture stirred up mixed feelings. Some people in Paris were not happy with its modern design which was seen to contrast with the traditional French architecture in the surrounding area. But as time went on, the Centre Pompidou gained acceptance and has now become a notable part of the cultural and architectural scene in Paris.
Through the years, the Centre Pompidou has continued to grow and adapt. It went through a large renovation in 2000 to update its facilities and create more space for exhibitions. Currently, it remains a favourite for locals and tourists alike, with over 3 million visiting the centre every year on average.
One reason to visit
Fountain Stravinsky
You should visit Centre Pompidou to see the exceptional Fountain Stravinsky. Invented by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, this public fountain depicts the music of composer Igor Stravinsky. It has sixteen sculptures, each one moving and spraying water. Whats special about these pieces is that each one embodies a unique tune from Stravinskys music, delivering an extraordinary blend of sight and sound. You will find the Fountain Stravinsky at the Place Stravinsky, which is near Centre Pompidou. So you can easily explore other attractions at the museum. The Fountain Stravinsky represents a crucial part of modern Parisian art and modern art history. Its a sight you should not miss at Centre Pompidou.
Getting there
Start your journey from Paris Gare de l'Est, one of the six large SNCF termini in Paris, and head south-east on Place du 11 novembre 1918 toward Rue 8 Mai 1945. Turn right onto Rue Récollets, then turn left onto Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin. Turn right onto Boulevard Saint-Martin/N03, and continue to follow Boulevard Saint-Martin passing by the Strasbourg–Saint-Denis Metro station. Continue onto Boulevard de Sébastopol/D231 and pass by the Réaumur–Sébastopol Metro station. Continue onto Rue Rambuteau. Then turn right onto Rue du Cloître Saint-Merri, and you'll find the Centre Pompidou on your left. Please note that this route includes 17 min walking approximately (1.3 km) and may vary depending on your actual starting location in Paris. Remember to be aware of possible road closures or construction work.
Starting from the Eiffel Tower, join the banks of the Seine River and head eastward towards the direction of the Pont de l'Alma. Continue biking on the Quai Branly and then on the Quai d'Orsay until you reach the Pont Royal. Cross the river via the Pont Royal to reach the right bank and move towards the Rue du Bac. Take a right turn onto the Boulevard Saint-Germain heading towards the Notre-Dame Cathedral and then turn left onto the Rue de Poitevins. Continue till the end of the street and then take a right onto the Rue Mazarine. After crossing the Boulevard Saint-Germain again, continue on the Rue Saint-André des Arts till you reach the Place Saint-Michel. Turn right onto Boulevard Saint-Michel and then take a left onto the Rue Danton which continues as the Rue de la Harpe. Finally, take a right turn onto the Rue Saint-Séverin, move ahead and then turn left onto the Rue de la Parcheminerie, which leads to the Rue du Renard. The Centre Pompidou is located on the right side. Make sure you always respect traffic signs and rules. Enjoy the ride!
To get to the Centre Pompidou in Paris using public transport, first arrive at the Gare de Lyon railway station. From here, take the line 1 Metro in the direction of La Defense, until you reach the Chatelet Metro station. It's roughly a 16-minute ride. From the Chatelet Metro station, you can then take either buses 38 or 47, or alternatively, it's about a 10-minute walk to the museum. If driving is your preference, you can use the D5 route via the Rue de Rivoli or the D26 via the Quai de la Megisserie. Be prepared to park in a nearby parking lot, such as Indigo Chatelet or Q-Park Rivoli Pont Neuf as there is no parking directly at the museum.
Take the highway A1 towards Paris. After about 21 km, use the 2nd lane from the right to take the exit 1C towards Porte de la Villette. After approximately 1.4 km, keep right at the Y junction to continue on D112, then follow signs for and continue onto Porte de la Villette. Keep left to stay on D112. After this, use the middle 2 lanes to turn slightly left onto Boulevard de la Villette. Continue to follow Boulevard de la Villette. After about 2 km, use any lane to turn slightly right onto Boulevard de Magenta. After about 500 m, turn right onto Boulevard Saint-Martin. After 350 m, turn left onto Rue du Temple. And, after about 400 m, the Centre Pompidou will be on your right.
