by Anne StClair

Created on: March 30, 2007   Last Updated: November 25, 2008

The sad thing about the Centre Georges Pompidou in Beaubourg, Paris, is that it is indescribably ugly. Its ugliness was scandalous when the centre opened in 1977 because its architecture 'features' garishly painted exposed pipes, external stairs, escalators and ducts, and an industrial style that does not fit at all with the surrounding 18th century district. Its ugliness is hard to describe, and impossible to beat.

Unfortunately for architecture (and for the eyes of many of the beholders of it) the Georges Pompidou architectural style (or lack of it) has proliferated around the world since the 70s, and the sight of exposed ducts and pipes has become so commonplace that many have forgotten how ugly it actually is. (Although the ugliness of the Pompidou is particularly so because of the historical buildings in the area around it.)

The Pompidou Centre does have its attractions once you are past the ugliness of the exterior and inside the ugliness of the warehouse-like interior. There are several modern art exhibitions (mostly temporary) on at any time, and some of them are amazing, although many are quite expensive to visit. The centre also has one of the largest museums in the world and a huge library.

One thing the centre does not feature is adequate seating inside, so if you just want to 'hang out' at the centre, you will find there are no seats outside of the paid exhibitions. If you sit on the stairs (as many do) you will be moved on.

There is a restaurant on the 6th floor that offers panoramic views along with the over-priced food, and there is an Internet cafe, and a huge library. The centre is also home to a number of cinemas and theatres.

There are also street performers at times outside the centre, and they can be a welcome distraction from the unsightliness of the environment.

It was a fantastic idea to build a modern art complex in Paris, but it is a terrible shame that it is so unspeakably ugly, and the Louvre is by far a more pleasant place to visit if you want to see art in Paris.

The Pompidou Centre was so badly designed by two 'architects' called Piano and Rogers, who won the competition to design it in 1971 and who thankfully have never been heard of again. One wonders who else entered the competition. Some people, having forgotten how ugly it actually is, praise the Pompidou Centre as a 'high-tech' masterpiece, and the first of its kind (but unfortunately not the last). Why?

The reason for having all the ugly bits on the outside of the building was supposedly to leave more space on the inside of the building for exhibitions. The thought of just making the building slightly bigger apparently never occurred to anyone.

The escalators and lifts on the outside also give people on the inside a great view to the outside. It's just a shame that the view from the outside was sacrificed by the design of this ugly over-priced monstrosity.

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