Spotlight: Louvre Abu Dhabi

Located on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island, the new Louvre Abu Dhabi appears like a mirage in the Persian Gulf: a domed structure of intricately intertwined metalwork hovering over the water, fusing landscape and human ingenuity. The inaugural museum of Saadiyat's blossoming cultural district, which will also house the Guggenheim and the Zayed National Museum, the building is an architectural marvel with a contemporary façade and sleek interiors that display some of the world’s most revered masterpieces. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre was inspired by traditional Arab medinas and incorporates elements like soaring white spaces, geometric angles and abundant water features. The debut of the museum anticipates a zeitgeist in the Middle East, as Abu Dhabi is poised to become a meeting ground for intercultural and art-focused dialogues.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to Abu Dhabi. Our specialists can plan the ultimate itinerary, including world-class meals and once-in-a-lifetime activities as well as behind-the-scenes access to the city's top attractions.

Related: Abu Dhabi Destination Report

Constructed over eight years with a budget of over $1 billion, the Louvre Abu Dhabi houses a comprehensive scope of artworks, ranging from the prehistoric to the contemporary. The museum spans over 260,000 square feet, but the network of galleries, designed chronologically, are intimately sized and light-filled. The illustrious collection includes artifacts from Egypt and Mesopotamia, paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollack and Claude Monet and contemporary installations from Ai Weiwei. Half of the 600 artworks in the museum’s permanent collection are on loan from the Agence France-Musèums, which includes such institutions as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Versailles and Musée de l’Orangerie, and the museum will additionally display four temporary exhibits per year. Younger visitors will appreciate the Louvre's children’s museum that caters to kids between the ages of six and twelve and has special displays about artistic techniques and interesting history about the museum's works.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to Abu Dhabi. Our specialists can plan the ultimate itinerary, including world-class meals and once-in-a-lifetime activities as well as behind-the-scenes access to the city's top attractions.