Landmark European attraction to close this summer ahead of £297million revamp… and won’t reopen for five years
A MAJOR attraction in France is set to close later this year - and won't reopen until 2030.
The Centre Pompidou, in Paris, is the largest modern art museum in Europe.
As many as 3.5million tourists visit it a year, with it being a landmark attraction in the city along with The Louvre.
However, a five-year renovation is to start next year, meaning this is the last year tourists will be able to see it in a while.
It is estimated to cost €358million (£297million) - nearly €100million more than the French government first predicted.
The plans include a huge new area with two large cinema screens and exhibit spaces.
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Both the museum and library are being fully refurbished as well.
A new restaurant will be built on-site, on the southside of the attraction.
Now, though, it is set to close for an extended period while the existing site is widened to make use of 20,000 sq ft bus park under the gallery piazza.
The new area will feature two large cinema areas and spaces for a range of new exhibitions.
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The museum and library will both be fully refurbished, while a new restaurant will be opened on the south side of the complex.
A panoramic public viewing platform will open on the roof, offering “one of the most beautiful views of western Paris”,
Some of the closures are starting early - The Musée National d'Art Moderne, the permanent art collection and galleries is closing on March 10 along with the Bibliothèque Publique d’Information.
Other closures of exhibition spaces, bookshops and the shops will take place over the summer.
Progressive closure of exhibition areas, bookshop and store
The rest of the museum will close on September 22, after the final exhibition ends.
An official 2030 opening date is yet to be confirmed.
Art-fans can still see some of the exhibits, with some collections housed at other museums around the world.
This includes:
- H'Art Museum, Amsterdam
- Caixa, Barcelona and Madrid
- KANAL Centre Pompidou, Brussels
- Centre Pompidou, Malaga
- Museum of Fine Arts, San Francisco
- Centre Pompidou x New Jersey, Jersey City
- Centre Pompidou x West Bund Museum Project, Shangai
- Centre Pompidou Hanwha-Seoul, Korea
Centre Pompidou first opened in Paris in 1977, but hasn't undergone any major renovations since the 1990s.
Also undergoing a huge renovation is The Louvre, with a €900million (£748million) revamp taking place until 2031.
When it reopens, new rules means Brits will pay more as non-EU citizens.
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In the mean time, you can visit the Notre Dame, which reopened in December after a five years following the devastating fire.
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