The Centre Pompidou is embarking on its first South American expansion with a satellite museum near the UNESCO-listed Iguaçu Falls in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Set to open in November 2027, the new 10,000 m² venue forms part of a five‑year partnership signed earlier this spring. Designed by Paraguayan architect Solano Benítez—winner of the 2016 Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale—the facility aims to serve as a dynamic cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, performances, film screenings, lectures, and artist residencies with a focus on tri-national (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay) cultural exchange.

This move aligns with the Pompidou’s ambitious international strategy to offset costs from its 2025–2030 renovation closure in Paris. The new Brazilian outpost joins existing and planned branches in Málaga, Shanghai, Seoul, Brussels, and Jersey City, expected to generate €25–30 million in annual revenue. As Parisian galleries close for refurbishment in March 2025, Foz do Iguaçu—already attracting two million annual tourists—stands to become a major cultural destination, potentially doubling footfall through the draw of this landmark partnership.