The Louvre Abu Dhabi is Now Open to the Public

Ten years later, after Abu Dhabi and France came to an intergovernmental agreement to launch the Louvre in the UAE, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has finally opened its doors this weekend.

The museum was inaugurated on Wednesday, November 8th by dignitaries from the UAE and France including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Emmanuel Macron. Doors officially opened to the public on Saturday, November 11th and online tickets for the opening quickly sold out.

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The excitement at the museum was palpable with visitors being able to enjoy pieces from Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.

This UAE museum is the first Louvre Museum to open outside of Paris and has the right to use the Louvre name for 30 years and 6 months. Not only did Abu Dhabi get to open the museum under the Louvre’s name, but some of the historical art of the original Louvre has now found a new temporary home in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Art pieces in the Louvre Abu Dhabi are categorised by time rather than geography taking visitors on an enlightening journey through the past 12,000 years on earth. The gallery tells the story of humanity in 12 inspiring chapters namely:

• The First Villages
• The First Great Powers
• Civilisations and Empires
• Universal Religions
• Asian Trade Routes
• From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic
• The World in Perspective
• The Magnificence of the Court
• A New Art of Living
• A Modern World?
• Challenging Modernity
• A Global Stage

Throughout the journey, visitors can see art works and archaeological artefacts. There are 235 works from the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection and 300 works on loan from French museums.

The museum is also making it super easy to visit with a new bus route that stops directly in front of the museum. The new 94 bus route will run daily with stops at Dhafeer Street, Abu Dhabi Bus Station, Hamdan Street, Saadiyat Island and the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Louvre timings are:

• Saturday – Wednesday from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
• Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
• Closed on Mondays

Louvre entrance fees are:

• Dh30 for ages 13 – 22
• Dh 60 for ages 22 and older
• Free for children aged 13 and younger

Here is what you can expect to see at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with some of the best moments from the opening on Saturday: 

The Louvre Abu Dhabi was very happy about the turn-up at the opening

An enormous thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who visited us. We can’t wait to welcome you again. #LouvreAbuDhabi #LouvreAbuDhabiOpening pic.twitter.com/AuSPmTD3m2

— Louvre Abu Dhabi (@LouvreAbuDhabi) November 12, 2017

This is truly a unique museum in the UAE

The #LouvreAbuDhabi, a museum like no other, is the most ambitious cultural project of these early years of the 21st century pic.twitter.com/TRHpnViOsP

— Musée du Louvre (@MuseeLouvre) November 7, 2017

The inauguration fireworks were almost as pretty as the art pieces inside

#LouvreAbuDhabi inauguration fireworks pic.twitter.com/YqL7nZAM1A

— Ardian (@Ardian) November 9, 2017

We didn't think we'd get to see these paintings up close and personal in Abu Dhabi!

Today is the opening of the #LouvreAbuDhabi. Several works of art from the Palace of Versailles’ collections are presented in this universal museum. pic.twitter.com/Ludy7uAbnk

— ChateaudeVersailles (@CVersailles) November 11, 2017

Can you imagine this is actually in Abu Dhabi!

1887 Self-Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh on loan to #LouvreAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/SIWO2V5hQk

— Samihah S Zaman (@samihahsz) November 7, 2017

Art is in the eye of the beholder

2000 series entitled 'Family Tree' by Zhang Huan at #LouvreAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/VsufkATQ09

— Samihah S Zaman (@samihahsz) November 7, 2017

The kids museum looks so much fun!

Can I bring the whole family?
Absolutely! Visit #LouvreAbuDhabi's #ChildrensMuseum. Attend the workshops or join the tours. pic.twitter.com/nxR0JW92dA

— Louvre Abu Dhabi (@LouvreAbuDhabi) November 12, 2017

This almost sounds like something from Alice in Wonderland

Why are you you?
The answer inside #LouvreAbuDhabi #افتتاح_اللوفر_أبوظبي #متحف_اللوفر_أبوظبي #لوفر_أبوظبي pic.twitter.com/Mw6eSLsz09

— عبدالله العيدروس?? (@alaidrooos) November 8, 2017

Even the Louvre in Paris celebrated the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi

"لوفر باريس" يحتفي بـ "لوفر أبوظبي" على مدى 5 أيامhttps://t.co/s6irb45wvg@LouvreAbuDhabi @DCT_AbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #البيان_القارئ_دائما pic.twitter.com/tvD2oMj77x

— صحيفة البيان (@AlBayanNews) November 10, 2017