Official Guided Tour of Louvre Abu Dhabi

A spectacular museum city in the sea, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a sprawling cultural beacon that seeks to harmonize different cultures and celebrates the achievements of artists from all around the globe.

The centrepiece of his vision is the signature dome that anchors the entire ‘museum city’ that has been created, at the point where the desert sand meets the clear, cool waters of the sea. Inspired by the cupola, a constant touchstone in Arabic architecture, Nouvel’s design is an intricate metal web of 7850 stars, rendered in various sizes and at different angles over eight different layers.

After 10 years of planning, 5 long years of delays, and billions of dollars spent, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an outpost of the famed Louvre in Paris opened on November 8th, 2017 and is most sought after attraction in Abu Dhabi.

Jean Nouvel, a Pritzker Prize-winning French architect designed this archipelago at sea with a seamless blend of French design and Arabian heritage. Touted to be the largest art gallery in the Arabian Peninsula, Louvre showcases art from the Eastern and Western world, promoting cross-cultural integration.

This floating dome of light and shade is a really complex geometric pattern of 7,850 stars in eight different layers.

When sunlight passes through this dome, it creates an alluring 'rain of light', inspired from the overlapping of palm trees in UAE’s oases. Walking through this serene promenade overlooking the lapis lazuli sea beneath this geometric dome is sure to transport you to another world.

A stimulating attraction for kids and adults alike, Louvre Abu Dhabi boasts a dazzling collection of artworks, artefacts and loans from France’s top museums. The collection here is symbolic of the entirety of human evolution, right from its prehistoric rarities to contemporary pieces of art.

Interesting Numbers

• The UAE Government has paid $464 million to use the word "Louvre" for the art gallery

• Louvre is home over 600 diverse artworks, 300 of which are on loan from France.

Walk in with your guide and soak in generous views of the sea and Abu Dhabi's skyline on your way to the mesmerising dome. Louvre comprises of 55 detached building housing art galleries, a children's museum, an exhibition, a boutique gift shop, a restaurant and a café.

Museum Galleries

The 12 museum galleries are chronologically arranged in an inspiring manner, narrating the story of humanity with an artistic filter. Through an incredible collection of art installations, each of these 12 chapters unveil commonalities that have existed through the history of humanity.

Exhibitions

Louvre hosts 4 temporary exhibitions every year. These exhibitions are the result of a unique collaboration between Abu Dhabi and France. In partnership with 13 French Museum partners, Louvre Abu Dhabi will bring together exemplary art for visitors of the Middle East.

Children's Museum

This specially designed section of Louvre hosts an array of family-focused exhibitions and interactive workshops in both English and Arabic. 'Experiential learning' is at the core of the Children's Museum and the aim is to inspire young minds by imbibing artistic techniques and ideas to their thinking patterns.

Workshops

There are occasional education workshops held in the permanent galleries and art studio. If you are interested in learning in detail about the remarkable collections, you can hop by for one.

Boutique Souvenir Store

However small it may be, grab a souvenir from the snug boutique shop on your way out to cherish this visit to the first Arabian Universal Museum.

Restaurant and Cafe

Rest your tired legs and contemplate the art you just witnessed over coffee and a plate of sumptuous bites before you leave the premises. The eateries are designed by Jean Nouvel himself and are nothing short of extraordinary.

• Isis Lactans Group

• Virgin and Child

• Bactrian Princess

• Funeral Set of Princess Henuttawy

• Statue of Alexander the Great

• Dancing Shiva

• Leaf from the Blue Qur’an

• Head of Buddha

• Madonna and the Child

• Portrait of a Woman

• The Belvedere Apollo

• Horses of the Sun

• Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger

• The Good Samaritan

• Young Mother Playing a Samisen

• Game of Bezique

• Equestrian Portrait of Maharao Sheodan

• Oriental Bliss

• Fountain of Light