The Centre national d'art et de culture Georges
Pompidou (Centre Pompidou Paris) was the brainchild of President Georges
Pompidou who wanted to create an original cultural institution in the heart of
Paris completely focused on modern and contemporary creation where the visual
arts could rub shoulders with theatre, music, cinema, literature and the spoken
word. Housed in the centre of Paris in the Beaubourg district in a building
designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, whose architecture symbolizes the
spirit of the 20th century, the Centre Pompidou first opened its doors to the public
in 1977. The original construction began in 1971. It was closed for renovation
work from 1997 to December 1999 and reopened to the public again on 1 January
2000 with expanded museum space and enhanced reception areas. Since then this
world famous attraction has once again become one of the most visited in
France. About 6 million people pass through the Centre Pompidou's doors each
year, a total of over 190 million visitors in its 30 years since it was opened.
Because of its location, the Centre Pompidou Paris is known locally as
Beaubourg.