Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum - Harmonising Art and Architecture

Celebrating art and culture, the Louvre Abu Dhabi epitomizes the bond of West and the Middle East heritage. This recent attraction in Abu Dhabi was one of the most anticipated attractions eager to be unveiled to the world. Under the flagship signature of the Louvre, this iconic museum is the first of its kind in the Middle East and the first Louvre museum located out of France.

A cultural museum set on the edge of a secluded Arab Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi, is a spectacular landmark that commands your attention as soon as you reach Saadiyat Island. The complex and innovative design of the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a cultural and architectural marvel of the present world.

Inarguably, Louvre Abu Dhabi has successfully established itself as the new iconic landmark of Abu Dhabi. It has become one of the Emirate’s most famous attractions. Now, a travel bucket list item for most travelers visiting Abu Dhabi.

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A Cultural And Creative Vision Between France And The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The museum plays a strategic part in the alliance between the French and Abu Dhabi governments. It forms a juxtaposition of eastern and western art and architecture. The brand name ‘Louvre’ and some 300 artworks are leased to Abu Dhabi for the next thirty years as part of a cultural agreement. With Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE becomes the next big destination to witness art from world-renowned artists.

This stunning museum is located strategically at the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. The island will also be home to two incredible museums in the future – Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum.

Boasted as the largest art museum in the Middle East, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a cultural beacon. The museum focuses on introducing the universal world of art and culture in the Middle East through human creativity. After years of meticulous planning and unexpected delays, Louvre Abu Dhabi finally welcomed its first guests on 8 November 2017. It garnered one million visitors in its opening year.

Insight Into The Architectural Style

The museum was designed by the Pritzker-prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Nouvel designed the museum’s look and layout by embedding Arabic and Western influences. Flanked by a giant metallic canopy, the museum’s structure stands. The setting gives it a contemporary feel, and the white-hued series of galleries and buildings remind you of the old medina towns. In other words, this imparts the old-world charm of the Arab world within the museum’s architecture.

The Psychedelic Dome

The main highlight is the 180-meter long metallic dome that looks like steel and concrete mesh tangled together to form a beautiful suspended canopy. The intricate dome pattern acts as a parasol shielding from the harsh sun, allowing the sunbeams to filter through the web-like meshwork. The architectural style molds elements to create a serene ambiance of shadow, light, and reflection that changes as the day progresses. The dome provides natural lighting throughout the day yet appears sheltered and shaded. At night, the dome transforms into an illuminated spectacle worth viewing.

The Sublime Museum City

Inside the dome, a cluster of fifty-five buildings cluster to form a town-like structure. Each of the buildings has a distinct design, décor, and façade. The museum incorporates the old falaj system of Arab engineering, and the water element accentuates it.

A visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi feels like a trip to a museum city set by the seashore overlooking the beautiful scenic vistas of Arab waters.

What’s Inside The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum?

This stunning museum exhibits more than 600 works of art of historical and cultural importance worldwide. Most importantly, the pieces are on loan from prestigious French history and art institutions. The categorizes the exhibitions in historical chronology, which is the uniqueness. Above all, visitors get the feeling of walking through time and learning about different eras in the order of events.

The art collection is gradually increasing. The exhibition focuses on showcasing ancient and contemporary works from around the world. Some of the famous works displayed in Louvre Abu Dhabi include paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Manet, Picasso, Cy Twombly, Bellini, to name a few. The collection is diverse and consists of artifacts, ancient pottery, photography, sculptures, gems and metal works, figurines, paper collages, and many more. The museum also displays temporary exhibitions based on different themes in its precinct.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum Is An Attraction For All

The museum is an expansive spectacle of modern engineering that weaves together lighting, reflections, water elements, and stunning artworks.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an attraction for all ages. It is an enticing paradise for art enthusiasts where one can meet and talk about art all day long. For family holidaymakers, the museum gives an insight into the journey of history, culture, and art from around the globe.

Inside the museum, the stimulating dance of light and shadow flow. After this, you plunge deep into the world of culture and heritage.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum is equally inspiring for kids. And, for kids, it is an educational experience. There is a dedicated Children’s Museum to inspire young minds.

You can spend an entire day at The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. Most importantly, take time to enjoy its impressive collection of art at your own pace.

How To Get To The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

This magical masterpiece is located just twenty minutes away from downtown Abu Dhabi.

From Abu Dhabi

If you are driving, take Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway. Right after the Sheikh KhalifaBridge, exit the highway to reach the museum.
You can also take a bus(094) from Dhafeer Street.

From Dhabi

Visitors traveling from Dubai can head toE11 (Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road) and then proceed to Sheikh Khalifa Highway E12. From there, follow the signboards and drive through Yas Highway to Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.

Essentials You Will Need To Enjoy Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum Logistics

Duration

You will need at least two hours to take in all that the museum has to offer. If you really want to see all of the exhibitions, plan to spend the entire day here.

Ticket Costs

A ticket costs approximately 60 AED per person and AED 30 per child.
Tickets are valid for the whole day.

The museum is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi. It’s strongly recommended that you buy tickets in advance.

Opening Hours

Sundays to Wednesdays – 10 am till 8 pm
Thursdays and Fridays – 10 am till 10 pm
The museum is closed on Mondays

Closing Thoughts

Many people flock to Abu Dhabi to see Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, or the Emirates Palace. The Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum introduces a new attraction. An attraction that is one of the most innovative museum projects to be built in recent times.

Even if museums are not your favorite thing, it is worth visiting the structural significance alone. There’s no other museum complex quite like this anywhere else in the world.

Lastly, if you’ve visited any of The United Arab Emirates, you know that each building project is bigger and better than the last one. All new builds are competitive; the goal is to dominate the landscape with an award-winning structure unlike any before. This alone is a reason to visit!

About The Author:

Monica Singh is a freelance travel writer by profession. She is particularly fond of traveling and loves to jot down her experiences and cultural diversities of different countries.

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