FRANCE. Paris. 4th arrondissement. The National Art Centre Georges Pompidou, known as the Beaubourg Museum, re-opens its doors, after more than two years of extensive renovation, on January 1, 2000. The museum, built by architects Renzo PIANO and Richard ROGERS, was considered as the most daring building in Paris when it was inagurated in 1977. Initially built to receive 5.000 visitors per day, the building became victim of its own popularity upon receiving more than 25.000 visitors daily. The 576 million FF renovation has been partly covered by private fundings: Yves Saint Laurent's enterprise and its director Pierre BERGE, the Pernod Ricard group and Saint-Gobain entreprises, amongst others. 1999.