The opening of the Centre Pompidou-Metz is symbolically incarnated in Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines'architecture. Within it, the opening exhibition Masterpieces ? sketches a history of modern and contemporary art museums since 1937 - the year of the International Exhibition in Paris.

The most emblematic French establishments are put in perspective alongside masterpieces of international museum architecture. From the Palais de Tokyo to the Centre Pompidou-Metz, an entire architectural and cultural history is retraced here, including projects that will mark the years to come.