During my visit to Paris, my friend and I decided to go to the Pompidou Museum because it will be closed for restoration for five years. I really wanted to visit since I had never been there before. It was a completely new experience for me. Also, this is a very modern art museum, whereas I usually visit classical ones.
We started walking from in front of Hôtel de Ville, the Paris City Hall. Of course, there are many city halls in Paris, but Hôtel de Ville is the most famous one. Interestingly, the fountains there were working, which was unusual because they were supposed to be shut down for the winter.
We walked towards the Pompidou Center. This is an area we don’t visit often, but it’s located in one of the first or second districts of Paris. We turned onto a quieter street, passing by non-classical, more ordinary buildings. After a short walk, we approached the Pompidou Center.
The only thing I knew about the Pompidou Center was that its structure was quite unusual. I didn’t know much else. The interior also looked like it was turned inside out, with a very unique design. There is also a rather interesting fountain nearby. Despite being in a modern art district, I can’t say this area was very clean. Maybe it had just been reopened or perhaps it was cleaned later, but compared to many parts of Paris, it looked a bit messy. However, it was fascinating and had a vast open space.
When we entered the museum my first impression was that it looked old but modern at the same time. First, we had to figure out how to reach the section with the permanent exhibitions. The center is famous for its tunnels. The Pompidou Center was established based on the idea of Georges Pompidou, the president of the French Fifth Republic, who wanted to create a cultural center, hence its name. Apparently, the museum was much larger than I expected, with so much to see.
Upstairs there was a beautiful view. From there, we could see Montmartre Hill and Sacré-Cœur. This is a great spot for tourists since it’s so high up and the view of Paris is stunning. We could even clearly see Notre Dame from here. There is a restaurant on the top floor, but when we visited, it was empty.
Paris has many panoramic viewpoints, but for me, the best one is the Pantheon because you can see all of Paris in a 360 degree view from there. The view from the Triumphal Arch is also said to be beautiful, but I’ve never been up there. I prefer the Pantheon because its full panorama of Paris is impressive.
Then we went to the permanent exhibition. I’m not sure how often they change exhibitions here. On the fourth floor, there is 21st-century art and on the fifth floor, there is early to mid-20th-century art. There are also sculptures. Modern art can sometimes be hard to understand, but even in classical art, some works, like those of Rothko can be quite complex. I saw a piece by Mondrian here and I immediately recognized it from a distance. His large paintings play with light and I had seen a collection in a similar style before.
Everything felt a bit overwhelming because these kinds of artworks need time to be fully appreciated. I also saw a piece by Chagall, which was a pleasant surprise. I had discovered Chagall two years ago at an immersive exhibition and that experience was incredible. I really liked it and some of the paintings I saw there were also on display here.
Another floor of the museum features 20th century art, which is fascinating because understanding and analyzing these works requires time. Here, I saw Chagall’s works from his Paris years. I also saw Picasso, which was amazing. I didn’t expect to see such a famous artist and I was surprised by how many renowned artists were displayed together.
One interesting thing about the museum is that most paintings are not protected by glass. You can get extremely close to them. Almost close enough to touch, though, of course, touching is not allowed. Unlike other museums where paintings are heavily guarded, this setup felt quite different.
A quick note: I’m definitely not an art expert. I only became interested in museums and art a few years ago. For me, art is about seeing things that appeal to my eyes and sharing that beauty with others. I don’t have much knowledge about exhibitions and exhibition videos don’t seem very engaging to me. It’s much more enjoyable to visit in person since everything looks different in real life. Now, I know a bit more than before, but I’m still learning the basics: like recognizing artists such as Chagall or Picasso.
Speaking of interesting artworks, I also discovered a new artist named Adre. If anyone has more information about them, feel free to share it in the comments. This is actually an atelier, showcasing a collection of works. The artist’s pieces are quite intriguing, especially the sculptures. Abstract art is also quite impressive. It’s very different from traditional portrait paintings or detailed works like the Mona Lisa, which I find refreshing. The texture of these abstract pieces is particularly striking. I’d love to try creating something like this myself someday. But who knows maybe later!
I recognized Mark Rothko’s works from a distance since I had seen an exhibition of his at Fondation V. It was fascinating. After walking for a while, I got tired and sat down to rest, but the view was beautiful. Some artists were completely new to me, but now I’m familiar with them. Their works were unique and required careful observation.
Since most paintings aren’t covered by glass, you can examine them up close. It’s fascinating to observe the textures and many pieces have a tactile quality. Even though you can’t physically touch them. The museum also has a beautiful open-air terrace, which is spacious and breezy. Perfect for enjoying the fresh air.
One thing I’m really curious about is the five-year restoration plan for the Pompidou Center. Are they going to renew everything? The museum is set to remain closed until 2030.
We explored the 20th-century floor, which featured many interesting pieces. Some works were unique and different and I hope that future generations will study these sculptures and paintings as carefully as we do today. Some pieces were hard to describe, whether they were paintings or sculptures,but that’s what makes art so intriguing.
Modern art can be difficult to understand and while some works didn’t resonate with me, I know they might have a deep impact on others. I don’t have any criticisms because art isn’t something that everyone can interpret in the same way. I just feel that I need to broaden my perspective to appreciate some pieces more fully.
Another intriguing exhibition focused on light, sound and movement. To truly grasp these works, you had to detach yourself from reality for a bit. Experimental art like this can be enjoyable, but it’s not always easy to understand.
By the end of the visit, I was exhausted from walking so much and was really craving food. There was a fascinating light and movement exhibition, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time to see it. I’ll have to visit again another time.
The Pompidou Center was an amazing experience, but by the end, I was starving. So, heading for a meal was a must! I had a great time today and I hope you enjoyed this post. Wishing you all a wonderful day. See you next time!