Centre Pompidou: Permanent Collection Entry Ticket
A collection of modern art in one of Paris' most innovative buildings
- Access to the permanent collection at the Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou Tickets and Information
- Centre Pompidou Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004, Paris
- Opening Hours: Tuesday: Closed. All Other Days: 11:00 - 21:00
Is Centre Pompidou worth visiting
- For art lovers, the Centre Pompidou is definitely worth visiting, yes.
What you will see when visiting Centre Pompidou
- Picasso
- Max Ernst
- Kandinsky
- Matisse
- Man Ray
- Francis Bacon
- Many more…
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About Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou, named after Georges Pompidou who was the President of France from 1969 until his death in 1974, is one of the most iconic cultural institutions in the heart of Paris.
The museum is equally famous for its unique architectural design as well as the incredible works of art in their collection. Designed by architects Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini in an 'inside-out' design, which was ground-breaking when it opened in 1977, but also faced criticism at the time due to several of its utility elements being featured on the outside of the building, including some of the plumbing, the air vents, the elevator and cables. Decades later, its now a beloved symbol of Paris. You can't miss it, that's for sure!
The museum is primarily dedicated to modern and contemporary art with pieces from the 20th century onwards and actually holds of the largest collections in the world, with pieces by:
- Pablo Picasso
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Henri Matisse
- Chagall
- Man Ray
- Andy Warhol
- Amongst many others.
The art is displayed chronologically with pieces covering 1905 to 1960 in one section including pieces by the likes of Matisse, Picasso & Chegall here. Then, the second section covers 1960 onwards (contemporary) with artists such as Andy Warhol in this section.
The centre is also famous for its significant public library, its cinema, a performance space, as well as a research centre for acoustics and music.
Given its location in Paris, it also has an amazing rooftop terrace which offers incredible panoramic views of the rooftops of Paris, as well as views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
The Centre Pompidou is a must-visit destination for art lovers and tourists visiting Paris, in our opinion.
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Centre Pompidou FAQs
- Can you book tickets in advance for the Centre Pompidou?
- Yes, and we always recommend doing so to avoid disappointment. Booking in advance guarantees your space and means you can avoid the queues.
- Is the Centre Pompidou wheelchair accessible?
- Yes, the Centre Pompidou is wheelchair accessible.
- Is the Centre Pompidou worth visiting?
- The Centre Pompidou is one of Paris’ most popular art museums, so definitely worth visiting, yes! Especially art lovers.
- What do they mean when they say the Centre Pompidou is built inside-out?
- The Centre Pompidou was designed in a way that a lot of the utility equipment that is normally concealed inside a building is shown on the outside of the Centre Pompidou, for example its air vents, the escalator, some plumbing elements and lots of cables, so it’s been given the nickname of inside-out!
- Does the Centre Pompidou have pieces by Picasso?
- Yes, the Centre Pompidou has 65 pieces by Picasso in its collection.
- Is the Centre Pompidou closing down?
- Yes, the Centre Pompidou is closing down in 2025 for a period of 5-years in order to complete a significant refurbishment project. It plans to open again in 2030.
- What is the Centre Pompidou in Paris famous for?
- The Centre Pompidou is renowned for its unique architecture, with its colourful exterior pipes and exposed structural elements. It’s known as the inside-out building! It houses one of the largest modern and contemporary art collections in the world.
- Where is the Centre Pompidou in Paris?
- The Centre Pompidou is in the Beaubourg area of Paris's 4th arrondissement, near Les Halles and the Marais district.
- Who designed the Centre Pompidou?
- The building was designed by architects Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, and Gianfranco Franchini, who won an international competition in 1971.
- What can you see at the Centre Pompidou?
- You can explore the National Museum of Modern Art, temporary exhibitions, a public library, a rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city, and street performances in the adjacent plaza.
- What is the significance of the Centre Pompidou’s design?
- The Centre Pompidou’s "inside-out" design is revolutionary, with brightly coloured pipes, escalators, and ducts all displayed externally. Each colour signifies a specific function: blue for air, green for water, yellow for electricity, and red for movement. You don’t currently see many other buildings like it!
- Is the Centre Pompidou in Paris suitable for kids?
- Yes, the Centre Pompidou is a great place for kids. It offers family-friendly workshops, interactive exhibits, and a children's gallery designed for young visitors.
- Can you dine at the Centre Pompidou?
- Yes, the Centre Pompidou has a rooftop restaurant, Georges, offering French cuisine and panoramic views of Paris.
- What metro station is closest to the Centre Pompidou?
- The nearest metro station to Centre Pompidou is Rambuteau (Line 11). Châtelet and Hôtel de Ville stations are also within walking distance.
- Why is it called the Centre Pompidou?
- It’s named after Georges Pompidou, the former President of France, who initiated the project to create a modern cultural hub.
Centre Pompidou Fun and Interesting Facts
- Record-breaking design competition: The project to design the Centre Pompidou was a competition which attracted 681 entries from 49 countries, making it one of the largest architecture competitions ever held!
- Nicknamed “The Machine for Living In”: The Centre Pompidou is often called this due to its innovative and functional design.
- Color-coded exterior: Every pipe and structure has a specific colour to represent its function, making it both aesthetic and practical.
- One of the largest art collections in Europe: The National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou has over 120,000 works, including pieces by Picasso, Matisse, and Duchamp.
- The external escalator is iconic: The tube-like escalator offers you a spectacular view of Paris as you move!
- Home to avant-garde architecture: Its design was controversial at first but has since become a celebrated example of postmodern architecture.
- A rooftop with a view: From the top, you can spot landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Useful information About Centre Pompidou
Tips for visiting Centre Pompidou:
- Book Tickets Online: The Centre Pompidou is a popular attraction, so it can get quite crowded, especially during peak hours and seasons. Book your tickets in advance to skip the ticket lines and ensure you get access to the exhibitions you want to see.
- Explore the Architecture: The building itself is a modern architectural gem, known for its inside-out design where functional elements like the escalators and air ducts are on the exterior! Take some time to appreciate the unique structure and enjoy the panoramic views of Paris from the top floor!
- Check the Current Exhibitions: The Centre Pompidou houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and other influential artists.
- Visit the Rooftop: Don't miss the rooftop terrace, which offers stunning views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. It's a great spot to take photos, relax, and soak in the ambiance of Paris from a unique vantage point.
How to get there
- Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004, Paris.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 11:00 - 21:00
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 11:00 - 21:00
- Thursday: 11:00 - 21:00
- Friday: 11:00 - 21:00
- Saturday: 11:00 - 21:00
- Sunday: 11:00 - 21:00
