In a survey conducted a few years ago among quite a few residents Paris The Pompidou Center has come in second place on the list of buildings that Parisians want to demolish (first place is Montparnasse TowerOn the other hand, it is one of the most successful museums in Paris, which even surpassed The Louvre Museum At a certain time in the number of visitors. Parisians have a love-hate relationship with this building, as evidenced by the huge lines on weekends and holidays when you will hear almost exclusively French. There is also a heated debate among Israelis whether this is an ugly building that displays dull art or a brilliant building that displays fascinating and innovative art.
When I created the first version of this guide, I received feedback that it was a bit unfair for me to write about Center Pompidou Because I am one of those people who, until recently, saw it as an unfortunate architectural accident (although, as you will see in the article, my opinion has changed a little). And the truth is, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how justified this feedback is, because it is difficult for someone who does not like modern art and does not like this building to explain its charm to the millions of visitors who visit it every year. Fortunately, my dear Francophile friend Joel Tamanlis, picked up the gauntlet and added quite a bit of important information about the place to the article. Information that is conveyed entirely through the eyes of a true lover.
The result is, in my opinion, the ultimate guide to the Pompidou Center because it not only contains all the information you need to visit it, but also contains both schools of thought: those who see it as a brilliant structure and those who would be happy if it disappeared from the face of the earth. So before we begin our journey towards the 4th arrondissement of Paris, where the museum is located, let's take a look at the following video that will get us in the mood.
Tickets and important information for visitors
Since many of you are looking for the “ultimate” part, let’s start with all the logistical (but important) information about visiting the Pompidou Center and immediately after that we can deal with the museum itself.
How much does a ticket to the Pompidou Center cost?
As of January 2020, a ticket to the Pompidou Center costs 14 euros.
Buying tickets to the museum
Here are some ticket options:
- Ticket to the permanent exhibition
- Ticket for permanent and temporary exhibitions
- Combined ticket to the Pompidou Museum and Picasso Museum
- Combined ticket to the Pompidou Museum and the Orangerie
- Combined ticket to the Pompidou Museum and the Louvre
- Organized tour of the Pompidou Museum
How do we get there?
The museum's address is Place Georges-Pompidou next to Beaubourg Street.
The most convenient way to get there is by taking line 11 which stops at Rambuteau station (about a 3-minute walk to the Pompidou Center). If this line is under renovation or there is a strike, you can also take automatic line 1, get off at Hotel de Ville and walk for about 10 minutes.
Opening Hours
- Thursday to Monday: 11: 00-21: 00
- Fourth: 11: 00-23: 00
- Third: Closed
The story of the Pompidou Museum
The Pompidou Center is right on the border between Marais District and the Les Halles area. It all started when it was decided to move the nearby wholesale market, which was causing huge traffic jams, to the town of Rungis, south of Paris. As a result, a large area of land was freed up in the eastern part of the market, and there, the French Minister of Culture, André Malraux, decided to establish a cultural center. Unlike the ugly shopping mall of Les Halles, which was built on the ruins of the beautiful metal and glass buildings of Baltar, this museum was to be built in an area where there were no buildings of any architectural value. So at least those who built the museum did not destroy anything beautiful along the way…
Now Paris has its own monster.
After the decision was made to build the arts center, a design competition was announced, which attracted 681 architects, and the winning architects were Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The planners paid attention to every detail, so the colors of the exterior piping of the innovative building have a meaning: blue for air conditioning, green for water, red for escalators, and yellow for the electrical system. The work began in 1971 and was completed in 1977 (the year I was born), during which the president of the France Georges Pompidou. Since the president was very fond of modern architecture and was one of those who initiated the establishment of the museum, it was only natural that the place would be named after him.
It is said that when the museum opened, quite a few Parisians were sure that someone had gotten confused and forgotten to take down the scaffolding from the building before the launch. That is how surprising and innovative the transparent architecture of the place was. As I wrote in the introduction, a large part of Parisians loathed the place from day one, and the newspaper Le Figaro even published an article that read: “Now Paris also has its monster, Loch Ness is not alone.” And the truth is that this “monster” knew how to swallow quite a bit of money. Its construction cost close to a billion francs and its renovation between 1996-2001 cost more than 570 million francs. So was all of this worth the money?
How did I stop hating the Pompidou Center? By Zvi Hazanov
Anyone who knows my artistic tastes will not be surprised that I, too, treated the Pompidou Center as an abomination. Literally ran through the beauty hall of the City of Lights. I didn’t believe I would ever set foot in this place until Noli Omar arrived. Noli (from the duo “Debbie and Noli”) is not only a talented comedian but also an artist and as such she is very interested in modern art. And so, kicking and screaming, Noli dragged me one day in 2014 into the belly of the “monster.” And the truth? The experience wasn’t that terrible.
The central space of the Pompidou Center is very spacious and airy and gives a feeling of freedom. But beyond that, this design reminded me of a huge video game hall (of the kind that were very popular in the 80s) and there's nothing like nostalgia to make me start loving the place. My love continued as I climbed the escalators to the upper floors of the museum. Through the transparent tubes you can see the La God, the Stravinsky Fountain and the Church of Saint Mary. Simply wonderful! Then you reach the roof and all of Paris opens up before you. Without a doubt, this is a spectacular panoramic view that no amateur photographer will miss. And I haven't even mentioned "Georges", the rooftop bar that opened there, which you can read about in the article Recommended bars in Paris.
Why is it a must to visit the Pompidou Center? By Yoel Tamanlis
In the very unusual ultra-modern structure of the Pompidou Center, built of a steel skeleton resembling giant colored pipes, glass and external escalators, there is a constant happening of multifunctional contemporary art and culture. Among other things, the National Museum of Contemporary Art is located here (4th-5th floors). The museum covers an area of 14 thousand square meters.
Modern art at its best
This is one of the best and most important museums in the world for modern art. It has special collections representing modern art from 1905 onwards, from a variety of works by French and other artists. In fact, the museum is the chronological successor to the Musée d'Orsay. Among other things, you will find famous works by Picasso, Matisse, Léger, and more. Some of the exhibitions change frequently and are dedicated to specific topics on the public-artistic agenda and receive widespread publicity and resonance in France. In this context, the museum sometimes also provides a platform for new artists who represent contemporary movements in art.
One of the most interesting things is that in the large spaces of the museum you can find works from almost all the important periods of art: Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract, Avant-garde, Realism, and more. The entrance floor is open to everyone free of charge and you can usually find changing attractions that may interest all family members, including children. This floor also houses a large, high-quality art store. The first floor is home to the Children's Gallery, which offers dozens of activities designed for them. The center is also an important hub for students and academics who use the services of the public information library on site.
Spectacular view
On the rooftop you will find a lovely restaurant and, above all, a spectacular observation point for the breathtaking views of the city. Among other things, you can see from here the distinctive gray rooftops of Paris, Montmartre Hill, Eiffel Tower, La Défense, Notre Dame Church, The Louvre Museum, St. Eustace Church and more. A real feast for photography enthusiasts. The view is especially spectacular at dusk. You can purchase a “panoramic” entrance ticket to the roof only for 5 euros.
The experience of touring the place does not end with the special building itself. Visitors will also find much interest in its immediate surroundings. The large plaza in front of the building is quite interesting. It serves as the museum's reception area and is bustling with life most of the day. It is often filled with musicians, street artists, painters, mimes, entertainers, and jugglers.
Stravinsky Square
Adjacent to the southern wall of the Pompidou Center, on Igor Stravinsky Square, between bustling cafes and an impressive Gothic church named Sainte-Marie, is a lovely and unique colorful fountain, with strange colored water sculptures designed by sculptor Niki de Saint-Pal. Additional elements in the fountain were designed by Jeanne Tinguely. Over the years, the fountain has become one of the most photographed focal points in the city.
To this day, the center continues to arouse objections among some in the public. Some claim that the huge structure (166 meters long, 60 meters wide, 42 meters high) reminds them of factory scaffolding, but in fact the place has become the most important cultural center in the city and one of the most important sites in Paris in general. The structure, which was initially defined as “rejected,” raised millions of eyebrows and opened many mouths, but over time it has become very acceptable in the city. Today, it is clear to everyone that it expresses a new cultural policy, delights the visitors who flock to the place in droves, and promotes Paris towards the coveted title of “art capital of the world.” To truly love the place, you have to treat the structure itself as a work of modern art.
Is it worth living near the Pompidou Museum?
I really like living in the Pompidou Center area, not because I love the building or the art inside it (as you already learned from the article) but because the location is simply wonderful. To the east is the Marais district and to the west is the Louvre.Montreuil Street For its many culinary attractions.
The distance to Rue de Rivoli is also not far at all, and from there you can easily skip to the Ile de la Cité and the Left Bank. Add to that the fact that there are quite a few great Asian restaurants not far away (Paris' little Chinatown is a few minutes' walk away) and you'll discover a simply winning location.
Excellent apartments opposite the Pompidou Museum
Have I convinced you to look for places to stay near the Pompidou Museum? With that, let me recommend a few Audi apartments, which are right next to it. These apartments are on Simon Le Franc Street and you will see the Pompidou Center from the window (I don't know if that's an advantage or a disadvantage 🙂 ). I lived there with my parents several times and we always enjoyed the high-quality furnishings, the ideal location and the great service. Oh, did I mention that the owner is Israeli? 🙂
You can find all of these apartments, along with other apartments in equally great locations, on the apartments website. Edla Paris.
And what about hotels?
There are quite a few hotels within a few minutes' walk of the Pompidou Museum in the western part of the 4rd arrondissement and also in the XNUMXth arrondissement (the part close to Rue Rivoli). Here are two such hotels that I stayed in and which I liked:
If you would like to find more hotels near the Pompidou Center, you can find them on this map:
Open the map in a separate window
A few words about Yoel Tamanlis
Yoel is a Francophile who currently lives in Modi'in. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a photographer, and if you are interested in enjoying his beautiful photographs of Paris, you are welcome to take a look at the page Paris via ZoomIf you want to read the articles he published on the site Go to this link.
Hello Zvi,
Another top-notch importance to the existence of the Pompidou Center. Since admission to the building itself is free [excluding the exhibitions], it is a golden opportunity in the center of Paris to use luxurious and clean restrooms for free.
In my experience, don't underestimate!
Absolutely right!
Unlike other museums, the Pompidou Center is not just an exhibition space but creates a space for sharing a panel between visitors, the community, and the exhibits. It is the first museum that paved the way for active and interactive museums in the world and for modern art exhibitions. The center also brings people who are not art lovers closer to the field, and even if you said you “can’t stand” the structure, you addressed it, and that is progress and advancement.
From a Francophile to a Francophile - an interesting article and I've already made a reservation for my next trip to Paris to dedicate a day to the Pompidou Center and the surrounding area ❤
Please note that the building is currently under renovation, so you enter from the back side. The entrance from the plaza is closed and the impressive view will not actually exist until the renovation is complete. For updates
Thanks for the update.
As of June 2022, the Stravinsky Fountain is closed. Access to the rooftop observation deck (6th floor) is free - you can enter the building without tickets and go up the escalator.
Thank you very much for the update.