Centre Pompidou

A gem of the beloved Beaubourg neighborhood, this distinctive building complex was commissioned in 1968 by then-president George Pompidou. Parisians were initially shocked by its unconventional architecture and 'inside out' aesthetic when it officially opened in 1977. Functional details like air conditioning units, escalators, and elevators are all on display outside the Centre Pompidou to ensure a spacious, uncluttered interior. The complex was always intended to celebrate the arts, and today, it houses such important attractions as the Musée National d'Art Moderne and Brancusi Atelier, as well as a massive library, cinema, and any number of temporary exhibitions.