A landmark closed for a major renovation
The Centre Pompidou, opened in 1977 and affectionately known as Beaubourg, will shut its doors for five years to undergo asbestos removal, accessibility improvements, enhanced security, and a comprehensive interior reconfiguration. Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the building has long stood as a welcoming hub for all forms of culture. The renovation seeks to preserve its iconic openness while modernizing facilities for today’s visitors.
Public emotion on the last day
On September 22, thousands gathered for the final opening day before silence. A visitor described Beaubourg as a generous space where one can encounter a wide range of artworks, expressing a bittersweet sentiment about the long pause ahead. The moment underscored how integral the site has been to Paris and to a global audience seeking accessible culture.
The final show and the scale of the move
The closing exhibition, a sweeping retrospective of German photographer and artist Wolfgang Tillmans, carried the title “Nothing prepared us for it — Everything prepared us for it.” It invited reflection on a world where certainty is scarce as the museum enters a period of renewal. Behind the scenes, staff relocated roughly 120,000 artworks—ranging from monumental installations to intimate pieces—ensuring safe storage and future accessibility during construction.
Where the works go and what stays nearby
Among the pieces moved is the famed “Breton Wall” from the workshop of the Surrealist pioneer, which found a temporary home at Centre Pompidou-Metz. Curator Anne Horvath explains that the installation comprises 255 individual objects, each with its own material and presentation requirements. The move marks the end of Beaubourg’s Paris era and signals a new chapter for the collection in Metz.
The future of Beaubourg and Paris’s cultural landscape
With nine public floors connected by escalators, the centre will be closed to visitors for five years, though a brief three-day reopening is planned in late October to celebrate the milestone. The renovation aims to restore the gallery spaces, upgrade exhibitions technology, and improve visitor access while safeguarding the museum’s pioneering spirit—an ongoing reminder of the institution’s mission to be open to all forms of art and audiences.
Three days of festive reopening
From October 22 to 25, the Centre Pompidou will reopen for three days of festivities, featuring performances by notable artists such as Christine and the Queens, Catherine Ringer, and Selah Sue, capped with a daytime fireworks display. These celebrations are intended both as a farewell to the current Beaubourg and as a hopeful preview of the dynamic future after renovation.
A new horizon for Beaubourg and the Paris cultural scene
As the renovation advances, Paris faces a reevaluation of its cultural infrastructure. The temporary relocation of works, and the ongoing dialogue with nearby institutions like Pompidou-Metz, illustrate how major museums adapt to safeguard their collections while continuing to engage global audiences. The Beaubourg renovation is more than a building project—it is a reimagining of how modern art can remain an inclusive, dynamic force for generations to come.
