How long to tour Pompidou Centre?
 

My daughter is really excited about seeing this (something about it-- not sure myself!) How long should we leave open to see it? Will an evening do? It's open till 9 on some nights?

The Pompidou is actually open till 10 each night. And there is a really cool restaurant on top, the views are awesome. Right now there is a Miro exhibit going on. There are also a few "Indiwood" films being shown.

Exploring a museum could take 1 hour, could take all day. Depends on what catches your interest. Why not go around 5, explore for a few hours, stop for dinner in the restaurant up top and then decide if there is more still to see?

You're the 2nd person to tell me that restaurant up there is good. Sounds like a plan.

I haven't eaten there but my friends have a book called Cool Restaurants in Paris and it's one of them. The pictures at night looked great, we saw it around 5 and it looked cool.Not sure how old your daughter is but things like that are always fun.

The restaurant is called Georges, and it's supposedly one of the fairly new (in the last 4-5 years, maybe) "cool" restaurants in Paris. Haven't tried it myself. I suspect you'd need reservations.
As for the ëxhibits at the Pompidou, I would say an hour would usually be sufficient. They're not that big.

My teenagers loved the Pompidou -- not just the art but the building itself. There is a plaza on the back side with a very interesting fountain, people hanging out, sidewalk cafes, etc. I would plan on 2+ hours. The Picasso Museum is not far away -- you could hit them both on the same day.

Georges was featured in the movie "Le Divorce."

Georges was quite cool! We hit it at not quite dinner time, so we settled for taking a beverage break there. But we sat on the patio and enjoyed the view and the service. Actually wound up having sidewalk crepes later that evening, and they were delicious!

How did your daughter like the museum? We've eaten at Georges; the food is ok, it's more about the "scene" and the fabulous view. I think you did well to go for drinks on the terrace--that's what we'll do next time.

OK, RonZ,
I thought maybe it was Georges in Le Divorce, but I wasn't sure. So what was the restaurant that the whole family went to for lunch in the movie?

My older daughter loved the museum-- younger one not quite as much. Some of the displays were fascinating, others just puzzling. The courtyard in the back with all the cool fountains was entertaining. It was also a great first evening thing to do because we were a little tired, and there is no pressure or timetable to live up to there. It was a little confusing entering since there are lines for eveything that goes on at the centre-- we had to ask several times to make sure we were in line for the regular exhibit, not the cinema or Miro exhibits. I give it high marks, though.

Marcy, the restaurant where the family has dinner together is <b>59 Poincar&eacute;</b> - 59 av Raymond Poincar&eacute; 75116! :)

Thanks Beatchick!
Ah...Alain Ducasse- - No wonder it looked like a nice place!

I've heard mixed reviews about the restaurant's service, but the view from there is fantastic.

The Pompidou is modern art -- something I could see in about 2 hours, and my husband could spend all day. I'm just not a &quot;cubist&quot;, but I did like the Warhols.

Also keep in mind that the area around the Pompidou makes for some awesome people-watching, shopping and general soaking up of Paris. Wander the back streets, they are so neat!

Enjoy!

Jules

I'll in Paris in April with my husband and daughter and we want to visit the Pompidou, too. We are staying in the Marais so we are thinking of visiting the early evening of our first stay.
Question...Do we need reservations for the restaurant (Georges)? Also...we're vegetarian and wondered if anyone remembers if there are good non-meat options on their menu?

risab, we (2 of us) went to Georges for lunch mid-week w/out reservations and were seated in a great spot (you can see my review above). However, I've seen other posts where people w/out reservations were seated in the interior w/out a view. Since you've decided that you want to eat there, I'd make reservations in advance and request window seating.

BTW, I'm vegetarian (lacto-ovo) and was able to find something on the menu. Most importantly, enjoy the museum and its collection.

The Pompidou is very interesting and can take up several hours IF you like modern art. Otherwise you need not even bother visiting. However, for the price of museum admission you can take the outside escalator to the top and get a nice view of central Paris.

We did not find the restaurant crowded for an early dinner-- but it may be quite different later. Also, my wife and daughters are vegeterian, and they were able to find something on the menu, even if it was just salad. It's a little pricey for what it is.

If you find George full or decide you don't want to pay their prices, have a drink there for the view then head across the square in front of the museum to the Cafe Beaubourg for a simple dinner with great people watching for half the price. Has a very cool vibe--and great tarte au citron.

All good info here, but the OP went almost 2 years ago