Paris, Pompidou Museum

This museum, formally known as the Centre d’Art Contemporain Georges Pompidou, opened in 1977. One writer stated that, “ … when it opened it was a turkey, but unlike most turkeys, this one wears its entrails outside its skin.”

It had been reported that the Pompidou was the most popular attraction in Paris. We found that hard to believe, so three different years we conducted a poll of our own. The people we talked to, members of tour groups from several countries, said they were not there by choice, but since this is where the tour bus dropped them, what option did they have. Popular? We wonder!

An outdoor café near the museum offers a contrasting view, and softens the look of Pompidou. Snapshots taken of this scene during different visits, show that at one time the name of the cafe was Cafe du Paris.