Centre Georges-Pompidou
One of Paris’ most striking buildings was only completed in 1977. The Centre George Pompidou, also known as the
Beaubourg, was designed in the postmodern, high-tech architecture style by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The industrial façade and exposed interior are in striking contrast with the surrounding neighborhood of Marais and the 4th arrondissement, one of the oldest areas in Paris. But it’s not just a pretty face: the center
is home to the Bibliothèque, France’s largest public library, and the Musée National d’Art Moderne.
The Musée
National d’Art Moderne has the second largest collection of modern art in the
world behind MoMA in New York, with nearly 60,000 pieces (though only around
600 are on display at any one time). It
features Dali, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Matisse among many others. If you’re not interested in the art, at least
swing by on your way to Marais to check out the architecture.
Musée National
d’Art Moderne
Metro: Chatelet les Halles (RER A,B,D) or Rambuteau (11)
Hours: Open every day except Tuesday 11:00-21:00
Admission: €12.00 Adults
Free for children 18 & under
