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George Pompidou Center
The George Pompidou Center
(Beaubourg,) is home to one of the most important
modern art museums in the world displaying modern and contemporary
painting, sculpture, graphic art, photographs, rare books, films,
new media, architecture and design. It is also the site of Paris'
largest public research library.
Located in the complex, but in another building, is one of the
worlds most advanced computer music laboratories. The high-tech
design of the building incorporates an escalator in a Plexiglas
tube which gives one of the city's best panoramic views. There
is a restaurant on the top floor with the same spectacular views.
The Place Georges-Pompidou, in front of the museum, often has
impromptu street entertainment. Close by is the 'quirky', fun
Stravinsky Fountain where one can sit and have a picnic or choose
from several inexpensive restaurants overlooking the Fountain.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12 noon-10 p.m. Saturday,
Sunday and Bank Holidays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Musee des Arts et Metiers
Museum of Science and Technology issSituated to the north of the
3rd arrondissements, this museum contains machines and models
relating to great inventions from 1500. It has recently been completely
restored and the description besides each exhibit is now both
in French and English.
Rue de Rivoli
This lovely arcade was begun by Napoleon in 1811. Under its arches
are two English language book stores; Angelina's, a tea salon
famous for its thick hot chocolate; and the luxurious Hotel Meurice.
Tolstoy at one time lived in one of the apartments above the Arcade.
Rue Vieille-du-Temple and rue St. Croix de la Bretonnerie
With its many cafes, restaurants, clubs, fashion boutiques and
“maisons et objects” stores, it is the center of Paris’s
vibrant gay community. Shops are open on Sunday when most other
parts of Paris are closed. On rue St. Crois de la Bretonnerie
is the gay bookstore ‘Les Mots a la Bouche, and a nice salon
for tea is ‘Mariage Freres’, 30-32 rue du Bourg-Tibourg,
which sells 450 varieties of tea.
A noticeable landmark is the Gothic Hotel Herouet and its turret
built in 1528 at the corner of rue des Frances-Bourgeois and rue
Vieille-du-Temple.
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