Mº Rambuteau & Mº Hôtel-de-Ville .

 

The cluster of streets surrounding the Pompidou Centre constitutes the Quartier Beaubourg . Beside the Pompidou Centre is place Igor Stravinsky with its Stravinsky fountain made up of colourful moving sculptures and squirting fountains designed by Jean Tinguely and Niki de St-Phalle. Beneath it lies IRCAM (Institut de la Recherche et de la Coordination Acoustique/Musique), a research centre for contemporary music founded by the composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. Its overground extension is by Renzo Piano, one of the architects of the Pompidou Centre.

North of rue Aubry-le-Boucher on the narrow, picturesque rue Quincampoix is a concentration of small commercial art galleries , where you can browse to your heart's content for free.

Just north of the Pompidou Centre, an impressive collection of dolls is displayed at the Musée de la Poupée (Tues-Sun 10am-6pm; ¬4.57; Mº Rambuteau), hidden on impasse Berthaud, running off rue Beaubourg. Children especially will love the finely detailed tiny irons, sewing machines and other minuscule accessories.