The Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a striking universal museum on Saadiyat Island, created in partnership with the famous Paris museum to tell the story of human creativity across cultures and ages under one roof. Its galleries thread art and artefacts from around the world into a shared human story, all beneath a vast, latticed silver dome that seems to float above the water and rains down a magical 'rain of light'.

History

The museum runs under an agreement between the UAE and France signed on 6 March 2007, which lets it use the Louvre's name until 2047, and Jean Nouvel was chosen as architect in 2006. Work began on 26 May 2009 with 4,536 piles, the main construction started in early 2013 under four pillars carrying the 7,000-tonne dome, and by 2019 the museum had drawn 2 million visitors (Wikipedia, Louvre Abu Dhabi).

What to look for

• The floating dome - the vast latticed dome and its 'rain of light' effect.
• The universal galleries - art from many cultures told as one human story.
• The waterfront setting - the museum surrounded by the sea.
• The masterpieces - the works on loan from French museums and beyond.

When to go

November to March for pleasant weather to enjoy the outdoor spaces and waterfront; the museum is fully indoor and air-conditioned, so good any time. It is closed on Mondays. Late afternoon light through the dome is magical.

Before you go

It is a smaller and more curated collection than the Paris Louvre, telling a thematic human story rather than holding endless masterpieces, so come for the concept and the architecture as much as the art. It is closed on Mondays. The dome and building are as much the draw as the collection.

Nearby

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the corniche and other Saadiyat museums are in the city.

Key facts