Two young architects won
Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, both in their thirties, won a competition of 681 entries in 1971. Their idea: put everything that usually hides in the walls on the outside.
Urban Tales › Paris › Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou: the history, and the building turned inside out
When it opened in 1977, Parisians called it a refinery. Its architects put the pipes, escalators and wiring on the outside to free the inside. It closed in 2025 for a renovation until about 2030. Here's what you're looking at.
Opened1977
ArchitectsPiano & Rogers
Closed2025 – ≈ 2030
Pipe colors4
Hear the Centre Pompidou story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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A color code on the facade
Blue pipes carry air, green carry water, yellow carry electricity, and red marks the way people move: elevators and the escalator tube.
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Closed for five years
The building was largely closed in 2025 for a renovation to remove asbestos and save energy, and is due to reopen around 2030. Parts of its collection are being shown elsewhere in the meantime.
TipWalk along Rue du Renard, behind the building: the colored pipes are on that side, and you can read them from the street even while it's closed. With Urban Tales running, the building's story plays as you reach the Piazza.
Nearby landmarks
Centre Pompidou: common questions
Is the Centre Pompidou open?
No. It closed in 2025 for a major renovation and is expected to reopen around 2030.
Who designed the Centre Pompidou?
Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, with Gianfranco Franchini, after a 1971 competition.
Why are the pipes on the outside of the Centre Pompidou?
To leave the inside floors completely open and flexible; the colors show what each pipe carries.