Paris’ popular tourist attraction is closing for 5 years
The Centre Pompidou in Paris will close until 2030 for renovations supported by France’s Ministry of Culture. The building, a hub for art and culture, faces asbestos removal, energy inefficiencies, and security upgrades. This closure impacts the P...
By ET Online |
TIL Creatives
The Centre Pompidou’s iconic Parisian building is closing until 2030 for renovation works. The initiative, which is supported by France’s Ministry of Culture, aims to future-proof the building, which is known locally as Beaubourg.
The closure comes amid challenging times for Paris’ art scene. Just last month, President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant restructuring of the Louvre after its director raised concerns about the museum's deterioration, warning that it could endanger its treasures, including the "Mona Lisa."
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The Pompidou has a permanent collection of 140,000 pieces featuring the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall. Around 3.2 million people visit every year for exhibitions, movies and performances — and to take advantage of the national library, known as the Bibliothèque publique d’information (BPI).
Large parts of the Pompidou are free to enter, including the BPI and what many argue is Paris’ best view — accessed by the “caterpillar” escalators on the facade.
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When it first opened in 1977, the center was seen as a symbol of modernity. However, it now struggles with several “technical issues”, as management describes them, making it difficult to keep pace with the 21st century.
The most pressing concern is asbestos, a hazardous material once commonly used for fireproofing, which is embedded throughout the structure and must be safely removed. Additionally, the center has a significant carbon footprint, requiring substantial energy to maintain comfortable temperatures across its 10 sprawling levels. Enhancing security measures has also become a priority, given the ongoing threat of terrorism.
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These upgrades are part of a major technical renovation, expected to cost 260 million euros ($282 million) in public funds.
With the Pompidou set to close until 2030 for these essential improvements, its president, Laurent Le Bon, sees this as a unique opportunity to reimagine the institution, ensuring a cultural transformation that stays true to its original identity.
The closure comes amid challenging times for Paris’ art scene. Just last month, President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant restructuring of the Louvre after its director raised concerns about the museum's deterioration, warning that it could endanger its treasures, including the "Mona Lisa."
ALSO READ: What is the best time to apply for a Schengen visa?
The Pompidou has a permanent collection of 140,000 pieces featuring the likes of Picasso, Matisse and Chagall. Around 3.2 million people visit every year for exhibitions, movies and performances — and to take advantage of the national library, known as the Bibliothèque publique d’information (BPI).
Large parts of the Pompidou are free to enter, including the BPI and what many argue is Paris’ best view — accessed by the “caterpillar” escalators on the facade.
ALSO READ: France becomes first European country to issue digital Schengen visas
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When it first opened in 1977, the center was seen as a symbol of modernity. However, it now struggles with several “technical issues”, as management describes them, making it difficult to keep pace with the 21st century.
The most pressing concern is asbestos, a hazardous material once commonly used for fireproofing, which is embedded throughout the structure and must be safely removed. Additionally, the center has a significant carbon footprint, requiring substantial energy to maintain comfortable temperatures across its 10 sprawling levels. Enhancing security measures has also become a priority, given the ongoing threat of terrorism.
ALSO READ: Mona Lisa will now have its own dedicated room, announces French President Macron
These upgrades are part of a major technical renovation, expected to cost 260 million euros ($282 million) in public funds.
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With the Pompidou set to close until 2030 for these essential improvements, its president, Laurent Le Bon, sees this as a unique opportunity to reimagine the institution, ensuring a cultural transformation that stays true to its original identity.
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