Paris Presses Pause: Centre Pompidou to Undergo a Five-Year Transformation

Since its grand debut in 1977, the Centre Pompidou has been one of Paris’ most striking and unconventional landmarks. With its bold industrial design, colorful exposed pipes, and inside-out structure, the avant-garde building disrupted the architectural harmony of the historic Marais district.

The design, a radical departure from the elegant Haussmannian facades that define much of Paris, was intentional. When former French president Georges Pompidou envisioned the center, he sought to create a space that was modern, dynamic, and ever-evolving—one that could unite multiple art forms under one roof. Inspired by iconic structures like New York’s Guggenheim Museum, Pompidou wanted a cultural hub that would be both a museum and a creative space.

Now, nearly five decades later, the Pompidou is preparing for its next phase of evolution. The landmark will close for five years, starting in 2025, for an extensive renovation designed to preserve and modernize the structure, ensuring it continues to thrive for future generations.

A Necessary Upgrade

Supported by France’s Ministry of Culture, the extensive restoration project aims to address critical structural and technical issues. Over the years, the building—affectionately known as Beaubourg—has faced wear and tear, necessitating urgent repairs.

This temporary closure comes at a time when France’s cultural institutions are already facing challenges. Just recently, President Emmanuel Macron announced major refurbishments at the Louvre Museum, where concerns over the degradation of historic structures have been raised. While the Pompidou may not house the Mona Lisa, its collection is equally prestigious, boasting masterpieces from Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall among its 140,000 artworks.

Every year, over 3.2 million visitors flock to the Pompidou for its exhibitions, film screenings, performances, and access to its Bibliothèque publique d’information (BPI). Many areas, including the library and the famous “caterpillar” escalators offering one of Paris’ best skyline views, are free to the public.

Reinvention with a Vision

Though the Pompidou will remain closed until 2030, officials stress that this is not a farewell but a temporary transformation. Key cultural spaces, such as the BPI and the Kandinsky Library, will relocate to the Lumière building in Paris’ 12th district. Meanwhile, Pompidou’s performances and film screenings will continue at other venues like the Grand Palais.

Art lovers need not worry—major pieces from the Pompidou’s collection will travel across France and internationally, including to its satellite institutions in Málaga and Shanghai, as part of the “constellation” program.

A New Era for Beaubourg

The ambitious renovation will be led by Nicolas Moreau and Hiroko Kusunoki, the architectural duo behind the project. Their vision includes a panoramic rooftop deck, enhanced public spaces, and a seamless indoor-outdoor interface that modernizes the museum’s experience. Sustainability will also take center stage, with a strong focus on recycling materials from the original structure.

A particularly innovative aspect of the redesign is the plan to repurpose the underground parking garage. Originally designed for buses, its vast space will be transformed into a multipurpose venue, accommodating cinemas, galleries, and creative hubs—aligning with Paris’ ongoing push to reduce cars in the city center.

Additionally, a “new generation hub” will be introduced—a free space designed for children aged 0 to 15, encouraging play, creativity, and artistic exploration.

As the Centre Pompidou enters this new phase, Parisians and tourists alike eagerly anticipate its grand return—reinvented, refreshed, and ready for the next chapter in its extraordinary legacy. For now, it’s not goodbye, but rather “au revoir.”