The Pompidou Museum‘s new outpost in Metz, France was inaugurated today by French President Sarkozy and will open to the public tomorrow. Designed by famed Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the local government is hoping that the new museum will have a “Bilbao Effect” on the region, a term referring to the impact that the Guggenheim Bilbao had on the local economy of Bilbao, Spain. This 72.5 Million Euro project is expected to bring 200,000 visitors to the region over the next year. For more on the topic: Guardian: Metz hopes rub of Pompidou’s ‘magic lantern’ will bring tourists and NYT: ‘Smurf House’? ‘Chinese Hat’? Museum Intrigues
