Paris is the perfect destination for art enthusiasts, history lovers and everyone who wishes to appreciate creativity.
With the finest collection of museums spread across the city, it is difficult for visitors to choose the best museums to visit.
When looking for the best museums, most tourists end up with Louvre Museum, Musee d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou.
Louvre Museum and Centre Pompidou portray two eras of art – renaissance and post-modern.
Both museums excel with history, architecture, famous masterpieces, exciting exhibitions and engaging features.
This article compares and contrasts all the features to find which is better – Centre Pompidou or Louvre Museum.
Location
The Centre Pompidou and the Louvre Museum are in central Paris and easily accessible by public transportation.
However, the Centre Pompidou is more centrally located at Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, and is closer to many of the city’s tourist attractions.
The Louvre is a bit further away from the main tourist areas, but it is still within walking distance of the most prominent landmarks at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
Opening hours
The Louvre Museum is open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and from 9 am to 9.45 pm on Friday.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
The last entry to the museum is one hour before closing.
The Louvre Museum is closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday, the museum’s day of closure.
The Centre Pompidou has slightly different opening hours.
Centre Pompidou is open every day except Tuesdays.
Centre Pompidou hours of operation
| Place | Timing |
|---|---|
| Museum + exhibitions | 11 am to 9 pm |
| Nocturne | Thursdays until 11 pm in the exhibition spaces on level 6 (galleries 1 and 2) |
| Brancusi’s studio | 2 pm to 6 pm |
| Galerie des enfants | 11 am to 7 pm |
| Bookshop and boutique | 11 am to 9.45 pm |
The Library BPI
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 12 noon to 10 pm |
| Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | 10 am to 10 pm |
| 25th of December and 1er of January | 12 noon to 10 pm |
During Christmas and New Year, the museum has an early closure at 7 pm on the 24th and 31st of December.
Please note that the doors for the museum and exhibitions close 10 minutes before the entry closes.
The ticket desk closes 60 minutes before the door closes.
The beauty of the buildings
The Centre Pompidou and the Louvre Museum are two iconic Parisian landmarks that offer a unique look at French culture and history.
While both buildings offer a wide variety of attractions, they differ in their architectural styles and the type of beauty they possess.
The Centre Pompidou is the icon of modern architecture.
Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the building stands out for its bold use of color and unique design.
The building’s facade is composed of brightly colored geometric shapes and its interior features large open spaces, making it a perfect place to explore.
The Louvre Museum, on the other hand, is an example of classical architecture.
Its grandiose neoclassical façade stands out against the Parisian skyline.
The sprawling museum complex comprises works of art from some of the greatest masters.
Its beauty lies in its grandeur and the long history it embodies.
Both museum buildings are remarkable examples of their respective styles of architecture and offer visitors a unique experience.
Whether the modern and bold Centre Pompidou or the classical and grand Louvre Museum, each building has its unique beauty.
Features of Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou in Paris is a modern art museum renowned for its iconic architecture, vast art collection, and many cultural events.
The Centre Pompidou features a unique design, with its exterior being made up entirely of brightly colored tubes and its interior featuring
- Exhibition spaces
- A library
- Cinemas
- Performance spaces
Visitors to the Centre Pompidou can explore the collection of modern and contemporary art, which includes works by some of the world’s most renowned artists.
The Centre Pompidou also hosts various cultural events such as art exhibits, concerts, and film screenings.
Centre Pompidou offers two floors of public library with large working and study spaces.
The Kandinsky Library also lies in Centre Pompidou, providing guests with the best research and documentation center.
Features of the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum features many art and artifacts from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
It is most famous for its collection of French and Italian Renaissance masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Other highlights include works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Raphael.
Its vast collections include 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century, displaying over 60,600 square meters of exhibition space.
The museum also features a sculpture garden, an ornate glass pyramid, and a vast collection of Egyptian antiquities.
It is also home to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which features art from the decorative arts and design.
The time needed to explore the museums
Generally, it takes 2 to 3 hours to get a general idea of the Louvre Museum’s collections during a standard visit.
A complete Center Pompidou tour will likely take approximately 2 hours.
Both sites offer vast artwork and cultural treasures, but the Centre Pompidou may be preferable for those with limited time.
Best time to visit
Centre Pompidou vs. Louvre Museum – which museum offers the best experience?
To make the most of your visit to these two incredible attractions, it is essential to consider the best time to visit.
The best time to visit Centre Pompidou is during the summer when the sun is out and the weather is nice.
The museum is open late and has special events and exhibitions throughout the year.
On the other hand, The Louvre Museum is one of the world’s most excellent art museums, with a wide range of historical and contemporary art.
The best time to visit the Louvre is during the early spring or late fall when the museum is less crowded, and the weather is mild.
The museum is also open late so visitors can make the most of their visit.
Expected Crowd
The Centre Pompidou welcomed 1.5 million people in 2021, a 65 percent increase from the previous year.
Since its inception in 1977, the institution has had more than 180 million visitors and in 2013 alone, it saw over 5.2 million people.
In comparison, Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
In 2022 Louvre welcomed 7.8 million guests, with a 170% growth from 2021.
Center Pompidou is the better option if you are looking for a less crowded visiting experience.
Exhibits
The Centre Pompidou is a contemporary art museum that features modern and contemporary art, architecture, design and photography.
The Louvre Museum is a traditional art museum that features mostly classical and Renaissance works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and objects from antiquity.
Both museums offer special exhibitions and events, as well as educational programs.
Ultimate Masterpieces
The Louvre is home to some of the world’s most renowned masterpieces.
The museum houses an impressive array of artworks from different historical periods, from the Winged Victory of Samothrace to the Mona Lisa.
Highlights include
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace
- The caryatids
- Aphrodite, known as the Venus de Milo
- Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman
- The Salon Carré
- The Grande Galerie
- Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco del Giocondo, known as the Mona Lisa
- The Raft of the Medusa
- Slaves (The Rebellious Slave and The Dying Slave)
- Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss
- The Pyramid
Centre Pompidou, on the other hand, is a modern art museum. It houses some of the world’s most renowned masterpieces, such as
- With the black bow (Avec l’Arc noir)
- Pig Carousel, 1922
- The bride and groom of the Eiffel Tower, 1938-1939
- The Romanian Blouse, April 1940
- New York City, 1942
- Phoque II, 1943
- Triptych Blue I, Blue II, Blue III, 1961
- SE 71, The Tree, big blue sponge, 1962
- Ben’s Store, 1958-1973
- The Winter Garden, 1968-1970
- The layout of the antechamber to the private apartments at the Elysée for President Georges Pompidou, 1972-1974
- Plight, 1985
- Precious Liquids, 1992
The museum also has a vast collection of 20th-century paintings, sculptures, and installations.
Ticket Prices
Centre Pompidou offers entry tickets for Exhibition & Permanent Collection to adults at $18.
While those under 18, job seekers, disabled visitors with a carer, and RSA, CMU, or ASS benefit recipients are granted free admission.
EU citizens under 26 may also access the permanent collection without charge.
Semi-private guided tours are also available to visit Centre Pompidou.
The Louvre Museum entry tickets are priced slightly higher than Centre Pompidou at $21 for adults.
Although EU residents aged 26 or under, non-EU residents aged 18 or under, disabled visitors with a carer, and jobseekers with valid ID all gain free entrance.
There are various guided tours of the Louver available, such as
- The Skip The Line
- Skip The Line + Top Ten Must-sees in English
- Skip The Line + Guided Tour in English
- Skip The Line + Highlights Tour in English
- Reserved Entry + Private Guided Tour
For visitors who would like to visit Centre Pompidou and Louvre Museum, combination tickets are available.
Featured Images: Canva
