The Pompidou centre, or as it is called by the Parisians, Beaubourg is one of the most popular cultural sites of Paris. For the year it is visited by 8 million people – more than the Eiffel tower.

The center opened in 1977 on the initiative of French President Georges Pompidou who fulfilled his dream of a cultural centre which will become a Museum, and a creative workshop.

In the competition for the design of the Center was attended by architects from 49 countries. Defeated Renzo Piano (Italy) and Richard Rogers (UK), offered a high-tech building of enormous size. Its characteristic feature was the imposition on the facades of internal communications, which have become part of the design. Encircling the building air conditioning system painted in bright blue, water green, electric cables – yellow, lifts and escalators are red. Beaubourg is a bit like a plant, but a very beautiful plant.

Extravagant architecture was loved by the Parisians. A large area in front of the Center with excellent acoustics, was chosen by musicians, street mimes and jugglers. Every spring, there are carnivals. The Store also adjoins the cozy area of Stravinsky with the same unusual fountain in it moving "mechanical sculpture", created around the theme of the composer's works.

In the Pompidou Centre are the largest in Europe, national Museum of contemporary art with a rich collection of masters of the twentieth century. There are free Public library (2 million volumes), concert and exhibition halls, Centre for music and acoustic research. On the fifth and sixth floors of the Center every year it hosts major exhibitions – here featured the work of Pollock, Kandinsky, Leger.

The main facade of the Center diagonally crosses the huge transparent escalator. It is possible to climb to the top observation deck, which offers a great view of Paris. From the North to the Beaubourg adjacent quarter Hours – walking craft area. Installed here a huge animated clock "Defender of time". Upon the occurrence of each hour bronze man comes to grips with one of three monsters – Earth, Water, Air.