Louvre Abu Dhabi
The museum was inaugurated in November 2017 and is the result of a collaboration between the Louvre Museum in Paris and 16 other French museums. It is built on the island of Saadiyat, known as the cultural district of Abu Dhabi, where at least two other major museums will be built, one being a branch of the Guggenheim.
The building
With state-of-the-art architecture, surrounded by emerald water, and offering stunning views, the building of the Louvre is worth the visit in itself. Its construction took more than ten years at a cost exceeding 500,0.
The most distinctive part of this tower is the futuristic dome. Its design uses 7,850 stars built over eight layers, six hundred feet in diameter, creating an interior light effect dubbed the "rain of light". Despite its relatively light appearance, the dome weighs the same as the Eiffel Tower, around 7,500 tonnes.
Its architect, Jean Nouvel, was also the mastermind behind other stunning buildings, such as the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, and the Agbar Tower in Barcelona. However, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the culmination of his work and masterpiece.
The collection
The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum's collection is arranged chronologically and follows the course of human history, from the first prehistoric instruments to modern-day art.
The permanent collection has more than 600 artworks, including paintings by world-famous artists, such as Manet, Magritte, and Leonardo Da Vinci, and ancient sculptures, including the outstanding statue of Ramesses II.
An essential visit
The Louvre Abu Dhabi could be described as "a dream museum": a beautiful building set in a perfect location, with a world-class collection of exhibits, and arranged in an entertaining, informative way.
The Louvre is a perfect place to spend a few hours, or even more if you decide to relax on the beautiful terrace of bars and restaurants.
Schedule
Galleries and expositions: Friday - Sunday: 10 am to 6:30 pm (weekends until 8:30)
The rest of the museum exhibitions have different schedules
Price
- General entry: 63 AED (US$ 17.20)
- Children under 18 years old: free entry