The Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi was officially opened on November 11, 2017. The Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi is a sister museum of the famous Louvre museum in Paris. It is located in the cultural district of Abu Dhabi on the Saadiyat Island. Here you can find The Zayed National Museum and a maritime museum. The island is also currently busy with the construction of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum. When this museums is ready, this is the place to be if you are fond of historical and contemporary art.
Special building
Covered by a dome of metal stars, the impressive Louvre Abu Dhabi complex was designed by Jean Nouvel and consists of 55 small buildings and housing a total of 23 different exhibition spaces. The largest part of the complex is located under the dome, which has a diameter of 180 meters. The museum’s massive dome weighs 12,000 tons and is supported by just four huge columns, cleverly hidden in the underlying buildings. This makes the entire dome appear to float. Due to the special way in which the dome was built, a “rain of light” enters the museum, according to the architect.
The buildings under the dome are built according to traditional styles, but are equipped with the most modern techniques. A lot of innovation has been applied, especially in the field of ventilation and energy consumption. This is allowed since it can reach over 40 degrees in Abu Dhabi in the summer. The art and visitors in the museum must remain cool at all times. The museum has been slowly put “under water”, making it look like the building is rising from the sea.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Collection
Abu Dhabi has spend a lot for the museum, in total half a billion euros has been paid for the use of the Louvre name and another 700 million euros has been earmarked for the purchase of art, exhibitions and staff.
Half of the collection in the museum in Abu Dhabi will consist of loans from the Paris mother museum and various other French museums. The other half of the museum was bought by Abu Dhabi itself over the past 10 years. This collection now consists of more than 600 objects. The new Louvre museum should be turned into a “universal, encyclopedic museum for all humanity”.
Most expensive painting in the world
In December 2017, it was announced that the most expensive painting in the world, the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, will hang in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The painting Salvator Mundi had changed hands in November 2017 at the Christie’s auction house in New York for 450 million dollars (382 million euros). Never before has this panting yielded so much money. According to The New York Times, the buyer of the very expensive painting is a Saudi prince who is friends with high-ranking officials from the government of the United Arab Emirates. This allows the Louvre in Abu Dhabi to display the painting on loan to its visitors.
Tickets Louvre Abu Dhabi
Tickets for the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi cost 17 US Dollar per person and can be purchased at the museum’s ticket office or you can book in advance at the GetYourGuide website or at the Tiqets.com website.
If you order your tickets for the Louvre Abu Dhabi online, you must indicate on which day and time you want to visit the museum in Abu Dhabi. People with walking difficulties can rent a wheelchair for free in the museum. Strollers are also available to rent for free. Want to share your photos of the Louvre museum directly via social media, use the free Wi-Fi network that is available everywhere in the museum.
Click here to book your Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets
Ticket including transfer from Dubai
Are you staying in Dubai and would you like to visit the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi? Then a ticket is available including transfer from Dubai to the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi. The cost is 54 euros per person and includes transfer from a hotel of your choice in the center of Dubai and an entrance ticket to the Louvre. You book your transfer to the Louvre museum from Dubai at this website.
Louvre and Sheik Zayed Mosque Tour from Dubai
Do you not only want to see the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum from Dubai, but also admire the beautiful Sheik Zayed mosque? Then the 9 hour trip from Dubai is the ideal trip for you. You book the tour from Dubai to the Louvre and the Sheik Zayed mosque via the website of Tiqets.com for 108 US Dollar per person. The price includes English speaking guide and transportation from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back.
Copyright image: Louvre Abu Dhabi / Mohamed Somji
Louvre Abu Dhabi opening hours
The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum is open every day of the week, except Monday. From Saturday to Wednesday, the museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm. Thursdays and Fridays, the museum is open longer from 10 am to 10 pm. The last entrance to the museum is possible until half an hour before closing time.
The museum café, lounge and boutique has different opening times.
Saturday to Wednesday the museum cafe is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The lounge is Saturday to Wednesday open until 11:00 pm.
The museum’s boutique is open Saturday to Wednesday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Thursday and Friday the museum cafe is open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
The lounge is Thursday and Friday open to midnight.
The museum’s boutique is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
For more information about the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi, visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae.
Copyright header image: Copyright image: Louvre Abu Dhabi / Mohamed Somji
