Centre Pompidou – Notre Dame de la Tuyauterie

Centre Pompidou from the street.
Centre Pompidou from the street.
Panoramic_view_mainEntrance
Panoramic_view_mainEntrance

Built 1977 on the initiative of then president of France, George Pompidou. Centre George Pompidou – Musée national d’art moderne as the proper name is, celebrates 40 years this year 2017.  It was not without controversy when it was built since it was a very modern and industrial looking building.  As the blog title indicate it was among many different things called Notre Dame de la Tuyauterie (Our lady of the pipes). This was mainly due to the exposed mechanical systems and a lot of exposed ducts and other mechanical system parts – some compared it to an oil refinery.  Architects: Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Gianfranco Franchini, Ove Arup, Peter Rice, Mike Davies, Su Rogers

Centre Pompidou from the main entrance side.
Centre Pompidou from the main entrance side.
Césqr le pouce - "the thumb" outside the centre Pompidou during the César exhibit.
César le pouce – “the thumb” outside the centre Pompidou during the César exhibit.
The sculpture garden outside the Centre Pompidou.
The sculpture garden outside the Centre Pompidou.
Centre Pompidou lines on Wednesday December 27 2017 - a rainy day in Paris.
Centre Pompidou lines on Wednesday December 27 2017 – a rainy day in Paris.

Just remember that if you bring an umbrella (at least a full-size one), a backpack etc. you will also have to be in line for the coatcheck which can be quite long on rainy days – be smart and wear a rain jacket and no backpack!

George Pompidou in the main entrance hallway.
George Pompidou in the main entrance hallway.
Centre Pompidou is 40 this year.
Centre Pompidou is 40 this year.
Gathering, by Daniel Firman.
Gathering, by Daniel Firman.
Chez Georges restaurant on the top floor has nice views of Paris and good food, even vegetarian options.
Chez Georges restaurant on the top floor has nice views of Paris and good food, even vegetarian options.