around Centre Pompidou 19Hôtel de Ville de Paris Centre Since 1357, it has been the seat of the Paris Pompidou City Council. Built in a neo-Renaissance style,the current building (1882) houses the Salle The Centre Pompidou, designed by Renzo des Fêtes, a copy of the Hall of Mirrors at Piano and Richard Rogers, is a striking Versailles. At no. 29 Rue de Rivoli, the Paris 20th-century landmark immediately recog- Rendez-vous space sells gifts and souvenirs nizable by its escalators and enormous (stamped city of Paris), and is an information coloured pipes, all on the outside of the build- point. The Hôtel de Ville and its square are the ing. The Centre houses the Musée National stage for numerous large-scale events, free d’Art Moderne, internationally-renowned of charge, throughout the year: enjoy exhi- for its 20th and 21st century art collections. bitions, festive events, watch major sporting Works by major artists are displayed chron- events on big screens … ologically over two sections: the modern Paris City Hall (4th). M Hôtel de Ville.o period, from 1905 to 1960, and the contem- Temporary exhibitions: daily 10am-7pm, porary period, from 1960 to the present day. except Sun and public holidays. Free. Throughout the year, world-class exhibitions www.paris.fr are shown on the top floor, which affords a 20Forum des Halles and its garden panoramic view of the centre of Paris and its The Forum des Halles has had a mega make- rooftops. Before or after a visit, have some- over! Work finished in 2017 on this shopping thing to eat and drink at the Georges restau- centre in the heart of Paris (over 100 shops, rant or the mezzanine café, learn more at the a cinema complex, a swimming pool and institution’s library (Bibliothèque Publique the Forum des Images) and its shops are d’Information) and browse the shops. Below now open on Sundays. Topped by the superb the Centre, on the Piazza, the Atelier Brancusi plant-inspired undulating Canopée roof, the shows a unique collection of works by this Forum is surrounded by a renovated garden master of modern sculpture. and an extended pedestrian area. The dis- Place Georges Pompidou (4th). trict of Les Halles now wears a new look — M Rambuteau.o 01 44 78 12 33. more modern, livelier and more dynamic. 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