The Pompidou Centre – at Metz!

As part of a drive to invigorate an otherwise overlooked and under-resourced area of France, a branch of Paris’ iconic Pompidou centre (Museum of Modern Art)is opening in the north eastern city of Metz (57 Moselle. Grand Est)on 12 May 2010.

The arrival of this spectacular and impressive structure, both visually and with its programme of artistic and cultural events, together with the opening of France’s latest and most impressive high speed train route TGV Est (making Metz less than 90 minutes from Paris) brings new life into an area which has suffered economically. Most visitors pass by the city on the way east to Alsace and Strasbourg, or south to Burgundy or the Alpes.

To celebrate its opening, come and join in the “Opening Days” – Wednesday to Sunday, 12 – 16 May 2010, at the Centre Pompidou-Metz.
Five full days of open house – Come and discover the Centre’s spectacular architecture and visit the opening exhibition free of charge.
Join in the artistic events taking place during these opening days. Celebrate the birth of this new cultural institution in Europe, which takes us back to the Centre Pompidou Paris’ opening in 1977.
Day and evening festivities have been programmed for the weekend of 15 and 16 May. Partaking in the 6th edition of the “Nuit des Musées” on Saturday, May 15, the Centre Pompidou-Metz has concocted a special programme. And to top it off, the Centre will be open to the public until 1 am!

For more info on Metz see http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr

For more on the new Metz Pompidou centre see www.centrepompidou-metz.fr/

(the Louvre Museum now has an outpost in Lens (Nord-Pas-de-Calais)

B&Bs, self-catering and hotels in Metz

By Train TGV from London