Paris's world-renowned Pompidou Centre, home to one of the globe's most significant modern art collections and housed in one of the most celebrated contemporary buildings on Earth, has officially closed its doors to the public for an ambitious five-year renovation project estimated to cost nearly half a billion euros. The museum, instantly recognizable for its vibrant multicolored exterior and distinctive exposed piping and escalators, attracts millions of visitors annually who come to admire both its groundbreaking architecture and its exceptional art collection.

Designed by renowned architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers as an open cultural space accessible to all, the center was named after former French President Georges Pompidou, who died in office in 1974, three years before the building's grand opening in 1977. The facility quickly established itself as a revolutionary cultural institution that challenged traditional museum design and accessibility concepts.

The closure process began several months ago when the permanent collection was removed from public view in March, allowing specialists to carefully relocate masterpieces from the galleries. These priceless works include paintings by acclaimed artists such as Francis Bacon and Frida Kahlo, as well as sculptures by the influential Marcel Duchamp. While the permanent collection has been inaccessible since spring, temporary exhibitions continued to operate until the final closure.

Visitors had one last opportunity to experience the center today, with the final temporary exhibition being a comprehensive retrospective of German artist Wolfgang Tillmans. To mark this historic moment, the museum remained open exceptionally late until 11 p.m. local time and offered free admission to the public. Additionally, the center is scheduled to host a special musical and artistic show from October 22-25 to commemorate Paris Contemporary Art Week before the complete shutdown.

The extensive renovation comes amid growing concerns about the condition of Paris's frequently overcrowded cultural attractions. Earlier this year, the head of the Louvre Museum issued warnings that the world's most-visited museum was suffering from significant water damage, poor maintenance, and persistent problems with long visitor queues. In response, President Emmanuel Macron visited the facility and promised that it would be "redesigned, restored and enlarged" through a multi-year overhaul projected to cost up to 800 million euros.

The Pompidou Centre's comprehensive renovation agenda includes critical asbestos removal, enhanced accessibility features, upgraded security systems, and a complete interior redesign from top to bottom. Laurent Le Bon, the center's president, explained that while the iconic exterior framework will be preserved, everything from the basement to the top floor will undergo transformation. "We're keeping the exterior framework, but from the basement to the top floor, we're changing everything," he stated.

Among the most exciting additions will be improved climate protection systems with new waterproofing technology, designed to reduce energy bills by 40 percent. The renovation will also feature a spectacular new public terrace on the seventh floor, offering visitors breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. "We hope that visitors will feel a bit of the same shock as when the Centre opened in 1977," Le Bon added, referring to the revolutionary impact the building had on the architectural and cultural landscape nearly five decades ago.

The total renovation cost is estimated at 460 million euros, with the French state providing 280 million euros in funding. For the remaining amount, Le Bon reported that "100 million has already been secured and we are hopeful of finding the remaining 80 million within the next five years." Notably, Saudi Arabia has contributed significantly to the project with a 50 million euro investment, demonstrating international support for preserving this cultural landmark.

The center is expected to reopen to the public around 2030, marking what officials hope will be a new golden age for one of the world's most important modern art institutions. The extensive renovation represents not just a preservation effort, but a reimagining of how contemporary art museums can serve both their collections and their communities in the 21st century.