In 2025, the Centre Pompidou will begin a major transformation. The iconic building in Paris Beaubourg will be closed for renovation, with the aim of returning to its original vision by 2030. At the same time, the Centre Pompidou will remain active through the Constellation program at partner sites in France and internationally. In 2026, a new site will open in Massy, in the department of Essonne: the Centre Pompidou Francilien – fabrique de l’art.
Image above: Centre Pompidou, photo: Pixabay.
A major cultural institution
Since its opening in 1977, the Centre Pompidou has played a central role in the promotion of innovative culture, as a multidisciplinary center that is both anchored in the city and open internationally. It houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, the largest public library in France (Bpi), the Ircam, a center for music research and creation, as well as a varied program of exhibitions, performances, film screenings and conferences. The building, designed by Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini, is considered a masterpiece of 20th century architecture and its famous external staircase attracts around four million visitors a year.
Renovation plans
From the beginning of 2026, the historic building in Beaubourg will be closed to undergo a comprehensive renovation. The aims are to improve environmental standards, better guide visitors and redesign the layout of the space to provide more room for creativity in order to emphasize the Centre’s multidisciplinary approach.
Expanding the presence of the Centre Pompidou
During the renovation, the Centre Pompidou will continue its activities through the Constellation program both in France and internationally. Numerous partner institutions will host exhibitions, performances and other events to ensure that the Centre’s programs remain accessible. The Bibliothèque publique d’informations (Bpi) will move to the Lumière building in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. The Ircam will remain at its historic location on Place Stravinsky and will continue to offer cultural programs in the Beaubourg district.
New location in the Île-de-France
In fall 2026, the Centre Pompidou Francilien – fabrique de l’art will open in Massy, in the department of Essonne. This new location will house the Centre Pompidou’s stock and the Musée national Picasso-Paris. In addition to its function as a center for art conservation and restoration, the site will offer a varied art program and a variety of activities related to the museum’s professions. The building, designed by the architecture firm PCA-Stream, is intended to become a lively meeting place for the inhabitants of Île-de-France, with a direct link to Paris via the Grand Paris Express.
The collection of the Centre Pompidou – Musée national d’art moderne, with over 150,000 works, is the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe and one of the most important in the world. It encompasses a wide range of media such as painting, installation, photography, film, video, digital media, design and architecture and offers a comprehensive overview of 20th and 21st century art.
For many visitors, the Centre Pompidou collection has a personal meaning, whether through favorite works or memories of special experiences. It is a national collection that belongs to everyone, and the museum is a cultural center that is particularly close to the hearts of the inhabitants of Île-de-France, who make up a large proportion of visitors. The year 2025 is a special moment for the Centre Pompidou, and a program of special events has been planned to celebrate the collection.
Celebrations of the collection
Two events celebrating the Centre Pompidou’s permanent collection will take place until March 10: Musée Recopié (February 21-23) and Musée en fête (March 8-10). These events invite the public to discover the collection in a playful way before the renovation work begins and some works are temporarily removed from the museum as part of the Constellation program.
Musée Recopié, February 21-24, 2025
Musée Recopié is a participatory project in which visitors are invited to copy works from the Center Pompidou’s collection by hand. This performance, developed by Simon Gauchet and the École Parallèle Imaginaire, invites visitors to actively engage with art history. The project is open to all, regardless of age, education or artistic background, and the resulting copies will be exhibited in Galerie 4 on February 23 and 24.
Musée en fête, March 8-10
Musée en fête is a three-day event with free activities and workshops for the public. It marks the beginning of the transformation of the Centre Pompidou and offers the opportunity to experience the collection in a new way. Activities include an opening event for the collection, workshops with artist Makiko Furiuchi, sophrology sessions, electronic walks and a choreographed performance by Alban Richard’s company. These days are designed to reflect the artistic diversity of the last open floors 4 and 5 of the Centre Pompidou.
WHERE?
Center Georges Pompidou
Place Georges-Pompidou
75004 Paris
France
