Journey through the artistic evolution and achievements of humankind from the Stone Age to today at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Opened in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi occupies a futuristic Jean Nouvel-designed building that resembles a floating dome. Admire artifacts from ancient civilizations and empires in addition to works by Miró and Picasso. Find child-friendly exhibitions and tour the museum buildings by kayak.
The main exhibition’s 12 galleries promote artistic connections between Eastern and Western cultures by displaying objects according to themes and eras. In doing so, the galleries allow the opportunity to see beautiful contrasts in geographical and cultural styles. Highlights include a statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, a two-headed Ain Ghazal statue from about 6,500 B.C. and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's Fountain of Light. See van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, Picasso’s Portrait of a Lady and Paul Gauguin’s Children Wrestling.
Four temporary exhibitions take place each year in collaboration with French museums such as the Musée d’Orsay and Quai Branly Museum. Topics range from the Dutch Golden Age to the life of Charlie Chaplin and the Japanese influence on the birth of modern décor. Enjoy the child-oriented themes and interactive activities of the Children’s Museum, which bridge the gap between the museum’s main exhibitions.
See the museum from an alternative perspective while learning about its architectural design on a guided kayak tour available for a fee. Note how the buildings resemble a mini floating city set beneath the dome, itself an intricate structure made of 7,850 stars. Moonlit kayak tours are also possible.
Located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, the museum is a 15-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi. Take a public bus between the museum and downtown. Free parking is available for drivers.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is open from Tuesday to Sunday and has an admission fee. Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the museum. Download a free multimedia guide in English from its official website.
