Centre Pompidou, located in Paris, to establish a branch in Brazil - Paris's Centre Pompidou to Expand to Brazil
Paris' Centre Pompidou Expands to Brazil Amidst Renovation in France
The Centre Pompidou, Paris' preeminent museum of modern and contemporary art, will open a new branch in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, marking a significant milestone in the institution's global outreach. This announcement comes as the Paris headquarters prepares for a five-year closure and renovation, set to start in September 2025.
The future South American outpost aims to boost regional tourism and strengthen Franco-Brazilian cultural ties amidst the 2025 Cultural Year, which promotes artistic exchange between the two nations. Sources reveal that the project is funded by Paraná State and is expected to open its doors in November 2027.
Architect Solano Benitez, a Golden Lion recipient at the 2016 Venice Biennale, will design the new museum complex. Emphasizing sustainability and regional integration, Benitez will use raw materials that blend harmoniously with the forest surroundings near the UNESCO-listed Iguaçu Falls. The complex will encompass exhibition spaces, performance halls, research laboratories, and public plazas, fostering multidisciplinary programs.
During the Paris renovation, the Centre Pompidou's collection will be partially displaced to its international outposts, including the new Brazilian branch, as well as existing facilities in Metz, Málaga, and Shanghai. The Brazilian outpost will showcase South American artists and selections from the Pompidou's extensive collection of over 150,000 works.
As part of its strategy to expand its global reach, the Centre Pompidou plans to open new branches in Brussels and Seoul, following successful ventures in Málaga (2015), Shanghai (2019), and the upcoming AlUla location. The Paris renovation is budgeted at approximately 260 million euros, with a projected reopening in 2030.
The Centre Pompidou's international expansion underscores its commitment to global partnerships and its strategic shift towards high-growth cultural markets.
The expansion of the Centre Pompidou to Brazil, while its home in France undergoes renovation, provides an opportunity for the public to engage with modern art amidst their lifestyle, as the new museum complex in Foz do Iguaçu is designed to blend harmoniously with the home-and-garden setting of the Iguaçu Falls. Furthermore, the Centre Pompidou's new South American branch will showcase South American artists and selections from its extensive collection, promoting cultural exchange and fostering multidisciplinary programs.
