Iconic Paris tourist attraction set to close for several years

The Centre Pompidou in Paris, one of the most important museums of modern art, is about to undergo a major renovation and will close its doors for five years.

Starting tonight, Monday evening (March 10), the permanent exhibitions of the Centre Pompidou will be cleared. Around 2,000 works of art, including masterpieces by Francis Bacon and Marcel Duchamp, will be cleared to make way for the extensive renovation.

Preparations for this huge undertaking have been underway for months. «This colossal operation has required months, even years of planning», Claire Garnier, the museum's production manager, told the AFP news agency.

Before the building is closed to the public, visitors can experience the museum for free one last time. Various DJ sets, performances and workshops have been taking place since Friday and will continue until Monday evening.

Modernization projected to cost nearly 250 million francs

After the final farewell weekend, the building will be gradually cleared before closing for five years in September 2025. The renovation will include a comprehensive modernization of the infrastructure and the removal of asbestos. The project has a budget of 262 million euros (approximately 250 million Swiss francs).

The Pompidou Center, designed by star architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, opened in 1977 and is one of the most visited museums in the French capital. In addition to its important art collections, the building, with its eye-catching architecture and colorful pipes, is a Parisian landmark.

The closure of the Pompidou Center is part of a broader wave of renovation projects across Parisian museums. As recently as January, the Louvre made headlines when its director raised concerns about water damage, maintenance issues, and long queues. Shortly after, President Emmanuel Macron announced a comprehensive renovation of the world-famous museum, with a planned budget of up to 800 million euros (approximately 760 million Swiss francs).