The Centre Pompidou is being renovated and will be closed for five years, from the summer of 2025 to the beginning of 2030. Initially, the renovation was supposed to begin in 2023, but it was decided to postpone it to keep the Centre open for this year's Olympics. The renovation works are expected to cost 262 million euros, and they include the complete removal of asbestos from the building, as well as structural renewal.

The iconic museum, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, has never undergone renovation since its construction in 1977. The works aim to improve the building's sustainability, with enhancements to the fire protection system, accessibility for people with reduced mobility, and energy optimization. The internal layout will not change much. There will be some functional shifts, such as in the Atelier Brancusi.

The square will instead host a new restaurant with an outdoor area. The current underground bus parking will then be transformed into a space for artists, dedicated to sharing and exchanging ideas. To allow visitors to continue enjoying the artworks, the Grand Palais will host the center's future programming: two galleries of 2000 and 800 square meters will host four annual exhibitions featuring works from the Centre.

Foto di Adora Goodenough su Unsplash.