The Pompidou Center exhibits visual arts, drawings, photographs, films and new media, design objects and industrial creations. They total 140 thousand works , which are exhibited in rotation over time.
But besides art, there are a number of other cool experiences that the attraction offers. See below everything you can find at the Pompidou Center:
Level 5 – Modern Collections
In particular, this is my favorite floor!
In it you will find works of art from various movements, such as Pop Art, New Realism, Abstract Expressionism, New Objectivity, Surrealism, Dada, Constructivism, Cubism, Bauhaus, Fauvism, Abstractionism, Neoprimitivism, among others.
Among the various paintings on display, the following stand out:
- Andy Warhol, There are Lizes, 1960;
- Le Corbusier, Le Modulor, 1950;
- Jackson Pollock, Painting (silver over black, yellow and red), 1948;
- Joan Miró, Bleu II, 1961;
- Alberto Giacometti, Femme de, 1953-54;
- Frida Kahlo, The frame, 1938;
- René Magritte, Le modèle rouge, 1935;
- Otto Dix, Portrait of journalist Sylvia Von Harden, 1926;
- Marcel Duchamp, Fontaine, 1917;
- Pablo Picasso, Femme assise dans un fauteuil, 1910;
- Henri Matisse, La blouse roumaine, 1940.
Level 4 – Contemporary collections
In the contemporary collections, you will certainly be surprised by works from the 1960s to 2000s, representing movements such as Fluxus, Body Art, Conceptual Art, Kinetic Art and Arte Povera.
We highlight works such as:
- Xavier Veilhan, Le rhinoceros, 1999-2000;
- Annette Messager, Les Piques, 1992-93;
- Louise Bourgeois, Precious liquids, 1992;
- Absalon, Proposition d’habitation, 1992;
- Eva Hesse, Sans titre, 1970;
- Agam, Salon Agam, 1972-74;
- Donald Judd, Stack (pile), 1972;
- Ben, Le magasin de Ben, 1958-1973.
Galleries
In the Pompidou Center Galleries you will find the temporary exhibitions that the museum hosts.
Whether in honor of an artist or a specific theme, the exhibitions are always very interesting. For example, one that really impacted me was the exhibition about the 1920s in Germany and the Nouvelle Objectivité movement, which was at the museum in 2022.
Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Paris, I recommend that you keep an eye on the exhibitions currently on display and those that will arrive soon at the Pompidou. This way, you can better organize your visit according to what interests you most.
George’s Restaurant
Located on the top floor of the Center Pompidou, the Georges restaurant offers an exceptional view of Paris, as well as a variety of options: drinks, lunch, dinner, a quick dessert and even soirées with a DJ! The city’s sunset seen from the restaurant is unforgettable, especially on summer nights.
At Georges, dishes cost, on average, €30 , which can vary more or less depending on your choice. Its rating on Google is 3.8/5.
The restaurant is open every day except Tuesdays, from 12pm to 2am. Without a doubt, it is a great idea for that moment of pause between one exhibition room and another.
Libraries
Did you know that in the Pompidou Center you can find two libraries ?
One of them is the Bibliothèque Kandinsky , located on level 3 of the museum. To access the library you must register, which in turn follows certain access conditions.
Since it is a library specialized in the arts , only master’s students from universities and schools of art, architecture and design, as well as professionals related to these sectors, can access it.
The other library is the Bibliothèque publique d’information , the BPI, whose entrance is opposite the museum entrance. BPI is a public library , therefore access is free. Just go through the entrance control and settle in the place most convenient for you.
In both, it is possible to make use of the books and catalogs available, have access to the internet and a great structure to study or work.
Shows and concerts
The Pompidou Center’s program of shows and concerts is diverse and encompasses all disciplines and art forms. The museum curates the most audacious and committed names on the international scene and offers a series of presentations per season.
Information about dates, times, as well as ticket purchases are available online.
Conferences and debates
Each year the Pompidou Center proposes 24 meetings, debates, conversations and conferences with a guest from the world of arts.
This year, the museum invited Antoine de Baecque, a cultural historian who organized a “Permanent History Laboratory at the Pompidou Center” for these debates, a topic that will be debated by him and a series of other researchers.
Movie theater
Have you ever imagined watching a film inside the Center Pompidou?
It was with a view to inviting the public to see and review films by artists kept in the museum’s collection, as well as its video heritage, in a cinema, that the Center Pompidou began to organize the sinema sessions.
The films are shown during part of the month and are eventually followed by debates with experts on the topic. If you love cinema and documentaries, take a look at the museum’s monthly programming .
For children and young people
The museum also offers special programming for children and young people , ranging from 0 to 18 years old. These include exhibitions, installations, visits, creative workshops, free events, among others.
The program of the Galerie des enfants , dedicated to children, as well as the visits and workshops available to young audiences can be found on the museum’s website .
Photo booth
Photography has everything to do with the Center Pompidou. While you can find many photos displayed in the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, you also feel the desire to photograph all the beauty of the museum.
It was with this in mind and to record your visit to the Center that a photo booth was made available , located next to the museum exit.
It follows the model of old booths, where you enter, sit down and close a curtain before being photographed. The photo that was taken is placed side by side with works of art displayed in the museum, making the result super original.
After taking the photo, you can choose the option to send the registration by email for free or print it on your own machine. This last option is paid, but for just a few euros you can get a really cool souvenir from the museum.
Bookstores and souvenir shops
Inside the Pompidou Center you can still find two large bookstores , which also sell souvenirs from the museum.
Expect to find books on various artistic movements, as well as artists, catalogs of past and current exhibitions, among others. And yes, we are talking about those huge, super illustrated and wonderful books! It’s a place where you can easily waste a few hours browsing the titles.
With regard to souvenirs , you can find reproductions of the works in a huge variety of products, such as: ecobags, pens, scarves, glasses boxes, plate sets, cup holders, miniatures, refrigerator magnets, notebooks, rain and much more.
I’m Djavan Dias, or DJ for short. I’ve swapped corporate life for endless adventures, sharing travel tips and insights on Premier Wanderlust. Dive into a world of smart travel and unforgettable experiences with me!