THE GEORGES POMPIDOU CENTER

The Centre Georges Pompidou is a true pillar of the capital. Built in 1977, it is one of the most visited monuments in France. Its name is a tribute to President Pompidou who requested its construction, his wish was to create an establishment entirely dedicated to modern and contemporary artistic production. Georges Pompidou, who died three years before the end of the work, could not see this project completed. The architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers were responsible for designing the impressive structure that is now recognizable among thousands. The result is as modern and creative as the works that the Centre Pompidou houses! The main building has 10 levels of 7,500 m². The exterior appearance has been criticized by some, who have even nicknamed the building "Notre-Dame-des-tuyaux". However, this incredible structure has managed to impose itself on the Parisian landscape and is now a must-see monument. When designing the Centre Pompidou, the architects placed great importance on the interior volumes, which are flexible and modular according to needs, and above all to hide nothing from the public eye. Thus, all the ventilation, electricity and water systems, as well as the elevators and escalators, are located outside, on the metal façade. Everything is organized according to a color code: blue pipes are used for air conditioning, yellow for electricity, green for water and red for traffic (elevators ...). One element is particularly imposing on this facade, it is the "caterpillar", a huge escalator that serves all levels. Completely transparent, it offers a beautiful view of Paris during the ascent. Let's also note the Piazza in front of the center which ensures a nice continuity between the city and the building. One comes to sit there to discuss, to benefit from the sun or to admire the impressive structure which one has under the eyes. The works of art that have been installed in the surrounding area are a testimony to this link between the museum and the city. In the Piazza, for example, one can see "the Golden Pot" by Jean-Pierre Reynaud and, at the Stravinsky Fountain, the machine sculptures of Niki de Saint-Phalle and those of Jean Tinguely. Located between the Halles and Marais districts, in the^4th arrondissement, the Centre Pompidou is also known colloquially as "Beaubourg", because of the area in which it is located. The program of the Pompidou Center is always very interesting and will delight the modern and contemporary art lovers. Here, literature, drawing, music, theater and, of course, visual arts are honored. There is a wide variety of cultural activities throughout the year such as temporary exhibitions and film screenings. As for the performing arts, two halls offer dance shows, performances revolving around literature and the spoken word, as well as concerts of electro, rock or contemporary music, many of which are organized with the neighboring Ircam. The Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique building is located in the adjoining Piazza. This center is a place of research but also of production and experimentation in music. On the other side of the Piazza is the Atelier Brancusi. Constantin Brancusi is a major figure in 20th century sculpture. Born in Romania, he lived a large part of his life in Paris and created many of his works there. At his death in 1957, the artist bequeathed his entire studio to the French state. In 1997, it was rebuilt identically on the square in front of Beaubourg. It contains a rich collection of 137 sculptures, 41 drawings and 2 paintings. In addition, the studio also holds 1,600 photographic plates and original prints. We owe the reconstruction of the studio to the architect Renzo Piano who developed a real museum space around it, while preserving the intimacy of the place thanks to a charming little garden. The Centre Pompidou is also home to the BPI (Bibliothèque Publique d'Information), which can accommodate up to 2,200 readers in its 10,400 square meter space. Free and open to all, it houses a rich and constantly renewed collection. There is also the Kandinsky Library, a documentation and research center for the museum, open to researchers only. Finally, the Pompidou Center is most famous for its internationally renowned museum of modern art. This 12,210 square meter space, which houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, is not to be missed. With 120,000 works, it is also the second largest in the world after the MoMA in New York. The museum is located on the^4th and^5th floors of the Centre Pompidou and exhibits 1,500 to 2,000 works in rotation. It is difficult to list the must-see works, as there are so many of them! But let's mention the famous "Fountain" by Marcel Duchamp, the "New York City" by Piet Mondrian or "the Romanian blouse" by Henri Matisse. The chronological tour will take you through different eras, from Fauvism (Matisse, Dufy ...) to Pop Art (Warhol, Johns ...) through Cubism (Braque, Picasso, Leger ...), Dadaism or Surrealism (Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia ...). A visit not to be missed!