around Centre Pompidou 18Hôtel de Ville de Paris Centre Pompidou Since 1357, this building in a neo-Renaissance style has been the headquarters of the Paris City Council. At 29 rue de Rivoli, you will find The Centre Pompidou, designed by Renzo the main information point of the Tourist Piano and Richard Rogers, is a striking Office; and the Paris Rendez-vous space, 20th-century landmark immediately recog- which sells gifts and souvenirs stamped ‘Ville nizable by its escalators and enormous de Paris’. The City Hall and its square are the coloured pipes, all on the outside of the build- scene of major free events throughout the ing. The Centre houses the Musée National year: exhibitions, festive events, live broad- d’Art Moderne, internationally-renowned casts of sporting events, etc. for its 20th and 21st century art collections. Paris City Hall (4th). M Hôtel de Ville.o Works by major artists are displayed chron- Temporary exhibitions: daily, except Sun ologically over two sections: the modern and public holidays. Free. www.paris.fr period, from 1905 to 1960, and the contem- porary period, from 1960 to the present day. 19Forum des Halles and its garden Throughout the year, world-class exhibitions Its curvilinear ‘Canopy’, an astonishing are shown on the top floor, which affords a 14-metre-high structure inspired by plants, panoramic view of the centre of Paris and its lets light filter in through 18,000 ‘scales of rooftops. Before or after a visit, have some- glass’ ... On the site of the former Paris food thing to eat and drink at the Georges restau- market, this busy shopping centre houses rant or the Café Mezzanine, learn more at the more than 120 shops, restaurants, a cinema institution’s library (Bibliothèque Publique complex, a swimming pool, two media librar- d’Information) and browse the shops. Below ies, the Forum des Images and even a ‘park- the Centre, on the Piazza, the Atelier Brancusi our’ centre. At the edge of the Forum, the shows a unique collection of works by this Nelson Mandela Garden (four hectares) leads master of modern sculpture. to the church of Saint-Eustache and the Place Georges Pompidou (4th). former Stock Exchange. A colourful offbeat M Rambuteau.o 01 44 78 12 33. playground welcomes children aged 7 to 11. www.centrepompidou.fr • CENTRE POMPIDOU: Daily: 11am-9pm, except Tues and 1 May. Thurs: open until 11pm (temporary exhibitions level 6). Full rate: €14. The entrance ticket ‘Musée et expositions’ gives access to the Musée National d’Art Moderne, the exhibitions and panoramic terrace. • ATELIER BRANCUSI: Daily: 2pm-6pm, except Tues and 1 May. Free. 24 HISTORIC HEART