Venere Travel Blog - It's our business where you sleep!

I was originally going to title this piece ‘the best examples of modern architecture in Paris.’

Unfortunately I realised that title would almost certainly start arguments since so many people have dearly held opinions about the ‘look’ of this fine city. So these are my favourite examples.

1. Centre Pompidou

When the Centre Pompidou was first built it had a different name, the Centre Beaubourg, and everybody thought it was hideous. The building can certainly be a shock to the system after the avenues of Haussmann creations that make up so much of Paris. A second look is required to confirm that the Centre Pompidou is in fact a building and not an enormous air conditioning unit casually dropped into centre of the city. I have to admit that it is not the aesthetics of the building that please me most, although the use of colour is appealing, but rather the mechanics of it. The inside being on the outside is such a simple, elegant concept and it allows for more exhibition space inside. It is at once practical and creative, which in my opinion is the very essence of good design.

2. Institut du Monde Arabe

The Institut du Monde Arabe was nothing like what I had expected, which is always a good start with architecture. The designer, Jean Nouvel, has handled its fluent mix of the modern with traditional Arab aspects perfectly. The most stunning feature is the countless ‘mouche-arabies’ set into the walls and modelled on the lattice screens of North Africa and the Middle-East. These have a dual purpose and are both a direct link between the buildings form and function as well as regulating the heat and light entering the building. The differing facades of the building are also interesting and effect how the unique building blends in with its surroundings. From the concourse, the façade is almost fiercely rectangular yet from the Pont de Sully the rectangular shape is softened, hugging the slight bend in the Seine at that point and helping the hard of the left bank meet the soft of the river.

3. Maison du Cinéma

For sheer architectural flair and inspiration, it is hard to beat Frank Gehry. The current Maison du Cinema, formerly the American Centre, is a fine example of his work although too often visitors to Paris overlook it. Like many of his creations, the Maison du Cinema looks like it is either growing organically up from the ground or collapsing spectacularly back towards it. Full of elegant, sweeping lines the building is built of a gorgeously creamy stone that complements the blue sky perfectly. Because of that I suggest the Maison du Cinema is best visited on a crisp, clear autumnal morning, although at any time if year it is well worth the trip to it’s slightly out of centre location.

4. The Louvre Pyramide

Perhaps the most controversial piece of architecture anywhere in the world when it was built, the Louvre’s Grande Pyramide juxtaposes the beautiful classical architecture of the museum in the background with the beautiful modern architecture in the foreground. At least, that’s the theory; many people think that the two do not complement each other at all and that the pyramid is ‘a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a dear old friend.’ I am in the group that thinks it works. The contrast is certainly stark and striking but that makes it all the more effective. I also think that the pyramid takes nothing away from the undeniably beautiful Louvre Palace but rather adds an extra dimension to a building which has been constantly changing since its first incarnation was built in the twelfth century.

Photo of the Centre Pompidou, Paris, originally posted by Rui Ornelas