Visitors flock to Paris's Pompidou Centre before it closes for renovations
Tourists and French visitors alike filled Paris's landmark Pompidou Centre at the weekend to catch a last glimpse of its prestigious art collection before it closes for five years for a major renovation.
'Five years – it's long!' exclaimed one guide, Elisa Hervelin, as people around her took photos of many of the museum's permanent works, among them paintings by Salvador Dalí and Henri Matisse and sculptures by Marcel Duchamp.
The 2,000-piece collection, on display on the fourth and fifth floors on the 48-year-old multicultural centre, is to be removed in a staggered process beginning on Monday.
The artworks are to be given temporary homes in museums across France and in other countries while the lengthy overhaul of the building – famously designed with its pipes and ventilation shafts colourfully adorning its facade – is carried out.
The full closure of the Pompidou Centre – which also comprises a vast library and a music research unit – will occur on 22 September. The €262m (£220m) renovations include removing asbestos from the structure.
With free entrance for its last weekend, visitors made the most of a last swing through the galleries, taking in the art as well as workshops, performances and DJ sets put on for the occasion.
Some were regulars to the museum, while others were seeing its collection in person for the first time.
Alyssa, an 11-year-old French girl taking it all in with her 62-year-old grandfather, said she wanted to 'see for real' the abstract paintings of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, which she had been shown in her school's art class.
Paula Goulart, a 25-year-old Brazilian, admitted she was there mainly for the spectacular view of the Paris skyline from the centre's upper storeys.
Sign up to This is Europe
The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment
after newsletter promotion
Her Portuguese friend Luis Fraga, though, was a frequent visitor to the museum who 'wanted to enjoy as much as possible the artworks before they are no longer here'.
With 3.2 million visitors last year, the Pompidou Centre is one of the most popular museums in Paris, ranking behind only the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay in terms of attendance.
Opened in 1977, it is named after Georges Pompidou, France's president between 1969 and 1974.
The renovation work will run through to 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Snoop Dogg says emotional goodbye to beloved family member after tragedy
Snoop Dogg, who won an American Music Award for Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and a Primetime Emmy Award more recently, shared two videos on Instagram, writing he misses his French bulldog Juelz Snoop Dogg's beloved dog - given to him as a birthday gift from Wiz Khalifa - has died. The rapper expressed his sadness in two Instagram videos following the loss of French bulldog Juelz. Wiz Khalifa gave his friend the pooch in 2014 as a present for his 43rd birthday. But in a video yesterday, Snoop, now 53, told the fans the upsetting news. Sitting in the front seat of his car, soundtracked by Weldon Irvine's Morning Sunrise, the hip hop legend shared his grief. The father of four, from Long Beach, California, wrote: "Rip @juelzbroadus [crying emoji]Thank wiz for giving him to me.(sic)" The rapper then shared a second video, which featured a montage of Juelz with Snoop and his family and friends over the years, with Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's See You Again playing over the top. He wrote: "Miss my dogg @juelzbroadus (sic)" 'Pocket bully' dog overpowers pensioner as armed police rush to fatal attack Juelz had his own Instagram account, which had thousands of followers and documented his adventures with his famous owner over the years. Meanwhile, Snoop - who has another French bulldog, Frank - recently admitted he is keen to open a food stall at Celtic Park, the Scottish home of his favourite soccer side Celtic. He told Scotland's Sunday Mail, which is our sister title: 'There has always been the opinion that food at sports stadiums is never good but that ain't got to be the case. 'People know that Snoop is a cook and I would love to bring a pop up burger to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good. It's got to be Celtic Park man, I mean where else am I going to bring it. "The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple cured bacon. The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.' But Snoop has no interest in offering his food to Celtic's great rivals rangers. He said: "Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss!' Snoop revealed back in 2012 that he wanted to buy shares in Celtic after watching the Parkhead side beat Barcelona in the Champions League in November that year. At the time he said: "I got a lot of interest in soccer. It's not a new thing for hip hop stars to invest in sports teams but it is a new thing for hip hop stars to invest in soccer teams...I see how passionate Celtic fans are about their team and I could see myself making an investment if any of the board wanted to sell...I want to bring a bit of Snoop to things."
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Matheus Cunha wants to be Man Utd's new Wayne Rooney after watching legend on TV every week at his grandma's house
Cunha revealed that one person helped convince him to join MAD HEUS Matheus Cunha wants to be Man Utd's new Wayne Rooney after watching legend on TV every week at his grandma's house MATHEUS CUNHA hopes he can bring the spirit of Wayne Rooney back to Manchester United. The £62.5million Brazilian new boy admitted he has always idolised the Red Devils team which won the Champions League back in 2008. Advertisement 7 Matheus Cunha has left Wolves for Manchester United Credit: Getty 7 He is hoping to emulate Wayne Rooney Credit: Getty - Contributor 7 Cunha watched Manchester United win the Champions League in 2008 Credit: AFP - Getty That was around the time United became Cunha's favourite club. He watched them every week on the television at his grandma's before going outside and playing on his own version of Old Trafford. And of all the star names in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad back then, it was former England captain Roo who stood out the most for the boy from Brazil. Cunha, 26, saw some qualities in his new club's 253-goal all-time leading scorer that he could relate to — and hopes he can bring to the modern-day squad. Advertisement READ MORE ON MAN UTD MAN UTD FILES Osimhen is shock Plan B to Gyokeres but huge wages will pose major dilemma The former Wolves and Atletico Madrid forward said: 'I remember the whole squad at the time that I started to watch. 'I liked Rooney at the front. Wow! He is someone I have a lot of similar things in my game, as I always give everything. 'He was the No. 10, I remember it on his shirt and everyone loved the skills of the player — but he always brought more. 'He would slide tackle to try to take the ball, this kind of energy inside of him was a big example.' Advertisement JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS It may be 17 years ago but Cunha can still name most of the players who helped United overcome Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in Moscow after the Champions League final finished 1-1 after extra-time. He said: 'Of course, I can mention a lot of the players. Matheus Cunha gifts Wolves team-mates Joao Gomes and Andre a Rolex ahead of Man Utd transfer 7 Cunha has signed a contract until June 2030 Credit: Getty Advertisement 7 He insisted that Ruben Amorim helped convince him to join Credit: Getty 'Cristiano Ronaldo — everyone knows him, it is easy to talk about him. But Ryan Giggs as well. 'I can imagine the team now — it started with Edwin van der Sar in the goal, Rio Ferdinand with Nemanja Vidic the defenders. Paul Scholes, wow, Michael Carrick. 'That team had a big impact on my teenage years.' Advertisement Cunha's performances at Molineux and his 17 goals for Wolves last season made him one of the hottest properties in the Premier League this summer. United might be a hard sell to some players after the dismal season they have just endured. There will be no European football next term after they limped home in 15th place with just 42 points — their lowest-ever total in Premier League history. But after following the club since he was a boy growing up in Joao Pessoa the chance to put on the famous red shirt at the real Theatre of Dreams was an opportunity he could not turn down. Advertisement Cunha added: 'Maybe outside people don't understand my decision. 'But when you have always dreamed to play here, it's easier to come to this decision. 7 7 Advertisement 'It's hard to explain but for me, no one else is like United. 'I know it's been a hard season for everyone, so my decision shows what this club is to me and what I believe this club can be.' Recalling how he first fell in love with the Red Devils, he revealed: 'My house didn't have the channel to watch the Premier League and my cousin's house didn't have it either. 'He's older than me and supports United — he showed me the way to start watching the Premier League and the need to support United. We could only watch the Premier League at my grandma's house, so we organised to go every weekend. Advertisement 'When we played together in the street, on the beach, on the gravel, we called those pitches Old Trafford. 'So, wow, it's so hard to be here now thinking about the past — it's very emotional for me. 'It's the most common phrase you can say in this moment but yeah, it's a dream come true for me. 'It's my dream team, the team for me.' Advertisement In 2017 Cunha hoped his wish of one day playing for the Red Devils was about to come true when he competed against them for Coritiba in the youth team tournament the Dallas Cup. He said: 'One of the directors at Coritiba said a director from United had asked about me. 'I was so excited, imagining a dream when I go to United — but after that the conversations stopped. 'But I think this was the start of my journey. Playing against United was a dream. Wow!' Advertisement Eight years later, he has finally got his wish and Cunha believes it is coming at the perfect time for him. And part of the move is down to manager Amorim who Cunha admitted helped convince him to make the switch. He said: "I have a lot of faith in him. I hope he succeeds in conquering the world like he did in Portugal. "I'm here to help the team and help him. All our discussions made my decision easier." Advertisement There have been flashpoints during his 2½ seasons at Molineux — which started with a five-month loan spell in January 2023 — but now is the time to relax, knowing he has realised his ambition. He added: 'It's the perfect time to come here and now I need to be calm. I've learned from my mistakes. 'There is not one player who does not come here and think about the glory days, all the times they won the Premier League. 'I want to put this club on top and do everything to help them conquer these things.' Advertisement Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford
Time Out
9 hours ago
- Time Out
Central Park is offering free senior portraits at the Conservatory Garden next week
Calling all Class of 2025 grads: Central Park is giving you one more reason to celebrate before tossing that cap in the air. The Central Park Conservancy is offering free senior portraits at the newly reopened Conservatory Garden next week and trust us, your Instagram feed will thank you. Photographers will be on site Monday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 18, from 1 to 4 pm, snapping pro portraits in one of the city's most jaw-dropping green spaces. Reservations are required and slots are first-come, first-served, so now's the time to lock in your 10-minute fame window. The Conservatory Garden is made up of six manicured acres of formal gardens tucked into the northeast corner of Central Park, just off Fifth Avenue between 104th and 106th Streets. Recently reopened after a multi-year, $17 million renovation, the Conservatory Garden is looking fresher than ever—think crabapple allées, blooming borders, vine-draped pergolas and fountains worthy of a Bridgerton shoot. Grads are encouraged to show up in whatever outfit suits their vibe, whether it's a classic cap-and-gown look or a stylish statement piece that says, 'I'm done with cafeteria food and AP Chem.' There's no dress code, no awkward studio lighting and no fees, just a stunning backdrop and photo to mark the milestone. And while you're there, it's worth taking a lap around the three distinct garden styles: the French-inspired North Garden with its orderly lawns and fountain; the Italianate Center Garden, flanked by wisteria and yew; and the English-style South Garden, home to the beloved Frances Hodgson Burnett sculpture from The Secret Garden. Portraits will be emailed to students within 10 business days, which gives you just enough time to get them printed before the graduation party—or, let's be honest, to post with a carefully chosen Drake lyric.
