Sitting in the Place Georges-Pompidou is the Centre Georges Pompidou. In 1977, it was the “most avant-garde” structure on the planet. It is still an interesting piece of architecture. Its transparent façade is an introduction to its modern contents.
The Center is home to 5 separate but related attractions. These are
- The Musée National d’Art Moderne on level 4. This is complete with works by Matisse, Marcel Duchamp, Dali and Modigliani
- The Bibliothèque Information Publique
- The Centre de Création Industriel
- Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique-Musique
- Atelier Brancusi – a small airy Jazz-Age studio of 4 rooms- a mini-museum to Brancusi
You can wander through to see the modern art, industrial heritage or reading rooms. Be sure to see Duchamps’ dada sculptures of 1936 and his Boîte en Valisefrom both 1941 and 1968. There is also the memorable painting, Josephine Baker (1926) by Calder.
If you have time, stop in the forecourt. It offers free entertainment. This ranges from mimes to fire eaters to circus performers. While you are in the neighborhood, you may consider fitting in any of the following nearby attractions:
- Stravinsky Fountain in Place Igor-Stravinsky
- Musée d’Art et Histoire du Judaisme
- Musée de l’Histoire de France
- Musée Picasso
- Hôtel de Clisson
- Hôtel de Ville