Le Centre Pompidou Facts: Learn More About The Iconic Library

Paris is a cultural center that is known to be a home of historical museums and artworks that are not only unique but are the only one of their kind.

The Le Centre Pompidou, or also known as the Pompidou Center, is known among the locals along with the name Georges Pompidou. This place is a fresh cultural center that is named after the beloved French President.

The famous president, Georges Pompidou, wished to make a culture center, and he also commissioned and helped in the making of this beautiful building. Unfortunately, Georges didn't live long to see the building's design.

There are multiple reasons why people travel from all across the world to catch a glimpse of the Pompidou Centre. One key feature about the place is its beautiful metal framework that complements the culture of Paris.

The second is its bright distinctive style of architecture that you don't see very often.

The exterior of the building plays one too many notes. It is a complex building design.

The exterior looks a little industrial, but it is brightly colored, thus creating a mosaic of endless imagination. Another thing that makes this place so wonderful is how the mechanical systems associated with the building not only work together to make it look beautiful, but they also make it look different from any architectural work ever done.

The ducts and exterior pipes are kept exposed, which undoubtedly play an important role. These exposed pipes are brightly colored, giving the building a wonderful look.

The architectural team of this building worked hard for years to accomplish what many people come to see every year. The crucial architects who designed the building are Renzo Piano and Richard Rodgers.

They also accepted help from another architect who goes by the name of Gianfranco Franchini, to make this art of a building. However, the design of this building wasn't loved by everyone with the same intensity.

Some people also questioned the sculpture and the design of the building. Many people believed that too many things were happening at once and that it was making the building's architecture look more chaotic and less appealing.

This is true to a degree. The area where the building is made has a collection of medieval-style houses and the Pompidou is designed more with a modern architecture.

History

The museum is a national museum, and like any national museum, the Pompidou is governed under the French government. A little bit of modern art brewed with the traditional architecture resulted in the making of this beautiful building.

The making of this museum wouldn't be possible if it wasn't commissioned by a former French president.

However, the president didn't live long enough to see the inauguration of the museum, which was held in 1977. It was in that year that the museum got its name, which is the Georges Pompidou National Art and Cultural Center.

Locals, however, don't address it by the same name, they simply refer to it as the Beaubourg.

A French leader once thought about the great culture that is buried in the history of the city of Paris, and then thought to create a space where it could be presented to people all across the globe. That's when the idea of this museum was born.

The Pompidou is known as the museum that stores the largest art pieces in Europe. Not only that, but the public library is often filled with readers.

It is one of the most important museums in Paris, France. This museum is home to countless paintings and art pieces that hold great value.

The museum is specially dedicated to the culture that France had during the period of the 20th to 21st century. The museum brings together a blend of the visual art form, literature, fresh music, and cinema.

The president wished for the building to have galleries that could be used for temporary exhibitions as well as for the permanent modern art collection of the museum.

The floor space of the public library is designed to hold around more than a thousand visitors per day. The place has more than a million visitors per year.

The history of this place can also be traced back to the year 1970 when Paris slowly started losing its place as the world's cultural center. That was the year when Paris lost as the leader in arts to New York.

To regain its position and help people to understand the culture of Paris better, the idea of this museum was born. During the making of the museum, there were many controversies and political debates as well, which centered around the idea of what kind of art form would be included in the museum.

The president didn't want the place to become just another fancy evening dining place for the rich people of Paris.

He wanted the place and the art collection and sculptures to be seen by people across the world.

President George was so passionate about the making of this project that he personally used to sit with architects and discuss the ideas. He personally suggested including a place for sculpture art forms, modern art, and a public library.

Along with that, he also wanted the place to have films, books, and even music accompanied by audiovisual scientific research as well. Despite all efforts, many people didn't like the architecture of the building and compared it to a boiler house.

The architecture of the building sparked many controversies and disagreements as well, among both local and political groups within France.

Its Architecture And Interiors

Those who have witnessed this art museum of France can say that it's a dream come true.

However, during the time of its making, and even now, many Paris locals and many politicians don't like its architecture.

This can be understood, as the building is placed in an area where most buildings follow the medieval time architecture form, whereas this building was something Paris had never seen before.

The whole working system of the building, such as the pipes, the wires, and the ducts are all out in the open, and they are brightly colored to give a new definition to the building.

This idea worked for some people; others weren't so happy about it.

The architect of the building, Renzo Piano, explained the architecture of it by comparing it to a large spaceship that unexpectedly landed in the heart of Paris and how it's set to plant its roots in the city.

The main idea behind making the architecture of the building was to make it easy for the workers to design internal spaces. The service roots of the building are color-coded, the red circular routes are made to make the boring lift services look very striking and unique.

There are external corridors and many viewing platforms for visitors as well. Surrounding the viewing platforms, there are escalators that are made to create a changing facade.

The makers of the museum referred to this as 'the ship of culture', however not all were kind towards the architectural design. Some people openly called the building 'our lady of the pipe' as they mocked the design.

However, some went further and called it some kind of mythical monster. The architects also faced a lot of hate and weren't respected for their work.

After the 20th anniversary of the center, the government renovated the place again and this time they added more areas. The new area was made for children and for exhibitions, which can be held year-round.

Another factor that is very famous about this museum are the notable Stravinsky fountains that steal the show.

However, despite many people not liking the architecture of the museum, and comparing it to an oil refinery, there are many people who relish this architectural beauty. The extra space in the interior of this museum was made knowing that, in the future, the museum would require expansion or more need for space.

The Center Pompidou is also home to some of the most important paintings, such as the Musee National D'art Moderne.

Facts For Tourists

It is known that this art museum in Paris provides the best panorama view of Paris. There are many street artists that perform just outside the museum.

You can find a lot of people who are either musicians, jugglers, or some other kind of street artist. This building is also known as one of the most visited buildings in Paris. The place altogether contains around 50,000 pieces of art, however, not all of these are shown to the public.

This central art museum only shows 600 pieces of art per year. The rest are stored.

Thus, every year you come to Pompidou you will find new art pieces. The museum contains many important art pieces, not only in Paris, but also across the rest of France.

It also contains France's national art collection. The Pompidou Central is a big success, and in the coming years, there will be a Pompidou in Italy as well.

There are also plans to plant one in Mexico as well. Different floors of the building are assigned to different kinds of art forms. For example, the fifth floor is for films and pop culture.

The fifth floor of this building once featured the 'Moonraker' movie as well. Most art forms are of contemporary style, although some are classic art paintings from ancient times.

FAQs

What is unique about the Centre Pompidou?

The very architectural style of the place is something that was never seen before in Paris. Many people and locals of Paris didn't like it and compared it to an oil refinery. However, around a million people visit this building every year.

Why is the Centre Pompidou popular?

The Center Pompidou is known to be the largest museum of modern art in Europe. This place is home to the culture of Paris, and on top of that, it contains around 50,000 art pieces.

When was Le Centre Pompidou built?

It was built in the year 1977.

What is the Centre Pompidou used for?

The building is used for a lot of things; any major exhibition in Paris is held in this museum.

What does the Pompidou Center celebrate?

It celebrates the culture of Paris dating back to the 20th-21st century.

Where is the Centre Pompidou located in Paris?

The center is located at Georges Pompidou, 74004.

What is the nickname of Centre Pompidou?

Beaubourg is the nickname of this place.

Who designed Centre Georges Pompidou?

The architectural firm Piano and Rogers undertook the project of designing the building.