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See Humanity In A New Light at the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi is a new cultural beacon, bringing different cultures together to shine fresh light on the shared stories of humanity. The origins of Louvre Abu Dhabi date back to 2007, when France and the United Arab Emirates came together to develop a new kind of cultural institution. The result is a museum rooted in universal human values, the first of its kind in the region. Louvre Abu Dhabi represents the dynamic nature of the contemporary Arab world, while celebrating the region’s vibrant multicultural heritage.

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

What does it mean to be ‘universal’? For Louvre Abu Dhabi, it means focusing on what unites us: the stories of human creativity that transcend individual cultures or civilisations, times or places. This ethos guides the museum in everything it does: from its foundation as a collaboration between two cultures to the dazzling architecture that combines French design with Arabic heritage.

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi champions the cultural achievements of (hu)mankind, from prehistory to the present day. From the start, this approach governed the choices of works for the collection and how they could come together in the museum. The galleries are not separated by geography but in chronological order. The aim is to induce respect, curiosity, learning and self-reflection.

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s museum galleries tell the story of humanity in twelve inspiring chapters. Each chapter focuses on shared themes and ideas that reveal common connections throughout humanity. The works on show range from prehistoric artefacts to contemporary artworks. The art on show comes from the museum’s collection alongside many masterpieces on loan from some of the most world-renowned French museums.

Louvre Abu Dhabi invites visitors to see humanity in a new light.

Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi

Things to remember before going to the louvre museum:

  • Make sure you are carrying a sweater and scarf with you. The temperature is kept cool in order to protect the artefacts. 
  • To get to know each artefact better, download the Louvre Abu Dhabi app and do not forget to carry your own headset. You can download the app for your android and ios devices from the playstore. 
  • Download audio-guided tours to explore masterpieces from the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s permanent collection and its rotating exhibitions, and to learn about the story of the museum and its architecture. Use the interactive map to find your way around the galleries and museum spaces with  geo-tracking. The app is available in English, Arabic and French, with options for visitors with special needs. Approximately 4 GB of data storage capacity is required on your device for the app and its content. 
  • We recommend you download the app in advance as it takes some time to download the content. Carry your powerbank in case the phone battery runs out.

Things to remember while in the louvre museum:

  • Turn the camera and the flashlight off. 
  • The experience of looking at historical artefacts is personal for every person there. Do not make noise and disturb peace. 
  • Be mindful of the exhibits and respect their importance by not clicking pictures, and avoid eating or drinking around them. 
  • Look beyond the exhibits. Notice every floor, wall, ceiling, and furniture of each gallery. Each surface was specially designed by Jean Nouvel to stand true to the palatial design of the museum. The floor pacing is made of stone modules framed in bronze, and throughout the galleries, the choice of stone responds to the period of the artworks on show. And finally, take your time. 
  • Take your time, the museum is not a place to rush in and out of. You will need roughly two hours to enjoy each of the 12 chapters to truly appreciate the artworks.

Must-watch Exhibits:

1. A statue of Alexander the Great, frames a colonnade of Roman busts that include several emperors

Alexander the Great Statue

2. Portrait of a Woman, named La Belle Ferronniere by Lenoardo Da Vinci

La Belle Ferronniere

3. Portrait of a Woman by Pablo Picasso, done in France,1928

Pablo Picasso

4. Horses of the Sun by Gilles Guerin, France, 1668-1675

Horses of the Sun by Gilles Guerin

5. The page, from one of the oldest-ever-found Qurans – Page of the Blue Quran

Oldest Ever Found Quran

6. After the last exit, you enter the square, and it is a sight to behold; the sunset is beautiful from there, as a million specks of sunlight find their way through the dome like "rain of light".

Rain of Light