Visitors have descended upon the Centre Pompidou this weekend for one last look at its revered collection of modern and contemporary art before the famed museum closes its doors for extensive renovations. Starting on Monday, March 10, 2025, the Paris institution will undergo five years of work, including necessary asbestos removal and refurbishment, before reopening to the public six years later, by 2030.
The Centre Pompidou, inaugurated on January 31, 1977, is home to around 2,000 works of art and features 10,000 m² of display space across its fourth and fifth floors. It has become one of the most visited museums globally, attracting over three million visitors annually, making it the third most popular museum in Paris after the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay.
From March 7 to March 10, the museum will offer free admission to the public, allowing art lovers to enjoy its diverse collection and participate in various celebratory activities such as performances, workshops, and DJ sets. The last chance to see the collection will culminate on Monday evening, giving visitors one final opportunity to experience the masterpieces housed within the iconic multi-colored building.
Many visitors have expressed their sadness at the temporary closure. Alyssa, an 11-year-old girl, shared her excitement to see Piet Mondrian’s works up close, having previously learned about him from school. Meanwhile, Paula Goulart, 25, from Brazil, said she was more eager to admire the spectacular views of Paris from the Pompidou's upper floors. Others, like David Cascaro, the museum's public director, lamented the prospect of moving the artworks out of their current setting. "The collections will never be presented as they are now," he said, noting the overwhelming public interest and vibrant atmosphere generated by the last weekend before renovations begin.
While the Pompidou may be closing for its overhaul, fans of modern art need not worry. Many artworks from the museum’s collection will be temporarily relocated and displayed at various partner institutions across France and internationally, as part of the museum's "Constellation" program. Some pieces will be exhibited at the Grand Palais and several venues abroad, including sites in Spain, Australia, Japan, and the US, allowing public access to these masterpieces during the renovation period.
The renovation effort, estimated at €262 million, aims to not just refresh the museum's aesthetics but also improve its accessibility, technology, and energy efficiency. The Pompidou's distinctive structure, celebrated for its external pipes and functional design, will receive significant upgrades to fit modern standards.
The museum's closure is scheduled just months after impressive renovation plans were unveiled for the Louvre, where critics pointed out increasing overcrowding issues. That renovation, estimated at between €700 million and €800 million, is projected to be finished by 2031. Meanwhile, Berlin's Pergamon Museum, closed since October 2023, is undergoing extensive restorations expected to take two decades.
Art lovers will have until Monday, March 10, at 9 PM, to enjoy the Pompidou’s diverse offerings. Once the lights go out for this iconic institution, the rest of Paris and the world will quickly become hosts to some of its most treasured works.
For now, the Centre Pompidou stands as a monument to modern art and culture, with its upcoming closure marking both an end and the beginning of new endeavors aimed at enhancing the visitor experience for generations to come. Excitement lingers among art enthusiasts who flocked to say their goodbyes over the weekend, eager not to miss this significant moment before the museum vanishes from view and undergoes its transformation. "Five years is long!" said one visitor, capturing the bittersweet sentiment echoed by many. Still, the anticipation of the museum reopening and the chance to reinvent the cultural icon remains bright on the horizon.