France’s culture minister, Roselyn Bachelot, has this week announced the country’s plans to fully renovate one of Paris’ most beloved cultural attractions, the Centre Pompidou, as soon as 2023. The three-year project will involve shutting down the museum and public library to expedite the process and greatly reduce the overall cost—which still sits at around US$240M.

“There were two options on the table: one consisting of restoring the Centre whilst keeping it open, the other was closing it completely,” Bachelot explained to Le Figaro in an earlier statement. “I chose the second because it turned out to be less time-consuming and a bit less expensive.”

The centre had previously warned about a full closure or a partial closure that would result in a much longer repair time that would dampen the overall experience that makes the Centre Pompidou so internationally beloved.

“This will guarantee the future of Centre Pompidou,” explained the centre's president, Serge Lasvignes, in an official press release, adding that, despite the inconveniences, the renovations will result in a “visionary, utopian project, unmatched by any other in the world.”

Lasvignes also explained that the renovations were essential due to corrosion, wear, and general age that had begun to affect the building. Projects will include removing asbestos in the building, meeting modern safety and energy standards, and making the building more accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.

That being said, travellers who want to catch a glimpse of the original structure or collections will still be able to do so before construction gets underway. While the centre is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s expected to reopen once Paris is able to lift some of its safety restrictions.

See also: IATA Launches Digital Pass for Covid-safe International Travel