Fiona

What’s on: Centre Pompidou

Discover Europe's most important modern art

Paris is a hub of ground breaking and revolutionary movements and a hot spot for art in particular. Everything from modern through to classical and Renaissance, you’re sure to get your cultural fix in the City of Lights. But for a focus on France’s foray into modern art, there really isn’t anywhere better to go than the Centre Pompidou to fully explore its controversial themes and iconic evolution over the years. Explore the masterpieces of the late 19th – 20th century within the abstract building, which itself is a feat of off-the-wall architecture. When Centre Pompidou originally opened in 1977 it was as much of a piece of art as that hanging on the walls within. Built by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the success of their creation catapulted them into architectural legendary with their unique scaffolding-come-boiler house conception. Not wanting to invade any of the adaptable space inside the building, they designed it so that all the pipework, escalators, lifts, stairways and air conditioners were tacked onto the side of the external structure. It’s pretty cool, if not a bit reminiscent of the childhood game Kerplunk... Centre Pompidou is the largest and most important museum of modern art in Europe, so art lovers, you’re in for a treat. With rooms and exhibitions ranging across the Modern Art movement, from Dadaism, Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionism (that’s a lot of isms to get your head around) there is plenty to see over the six floors. Explore the vast expanse of art from interactive visuals to iconic prints and marvel at the masterpieces of Picasso, Duchamp, Ernst and Miró – not to mention the impressive gallery of photography from Man Ray and Doisneau to name but a few... Roam the floors and get to grips with some of the most unconventional artists of the past century, and don’t forget to visit the picture perfect restaurant on the upper floor for a stunning panorama of central Paris. There’s no way you’ll be able to see all 50,000 works by all 5,000 artists – there are so many some have to be displayed on rotation – but the Centre Pompidou is an important modern landmark of Paris that you must visit. Even if it’s just to get a view of its quirky façade. With the Paris Pass you can save €13.00 and gain free entry. Don't forget, the Paris Pass also comes with a free guidebook and travelcard to help you explore Paris like a local. Find out more, here.
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