Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi focuses on what brings us together: stories of human creation that defy nations, civilizations, eras, and locations. The museum's increasing collection of treasures is displayed across its extensive row of galleries and contains major artworks and antiques from all around the world. It features antiquities, ornamental arts, neoclassical sculptures, modern master paintings, and contemporary installations. All these collections have been displayed in different galleries, where one could appreciate art with one’s own perspective.

The Museum's exquisite collection is displayed across 20 galleries, each of which corresponds to a particular era in the history of human civilization. The roster here is updated regularly with international loans from the museum’s partner, which means there’s always something new to discover here. The galleries are numbered from 1 to 12, in rising order of timeline.

Those covering the earliest of eras are covered in galleries such as The Great Vestibule, The First Villages, The First Great Powers and Civilizations and Empires. The rise of world trade is then explored in the galleries titled Universal Religions, Asian Trade Routes, From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and Cosmography. The last few ages are then aptly summed up through the collections housed within The World in Perspective, The Magnificence of the Court, A New Art of Living, A Modern Art, Challenging Modernity and A Global Stage.

Every year, the Louvre organises four exhibitions with its partners in France, all of which correspond to the museum’s overarching theme of shared experiences. In fact, each exhibition is designed in such a way that they explore in detail, themes and ideas that have only been touched upon in the museum’s permanent galleries. The exhibitions display art and sculptures collated from around the world, and are never permanent exhibits. The famous exhibitions that have already taken place at the Louvre include ‘Stories of Paper’, ‘Versailles and the World’, ‘10,000 Years of Luxury’, and ‘Rendezvous in Paris’, among others.

The Children’s Museum is an exclusive child–specific experience included in the Abu Dhabi Louvre tickets. The two-story Children's Museum, located in the heart of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, is meant to stimulate the interest of children aged 6 to 12. Parents are welcome to accompany their children to the museum and participate in various activities that will help them understand the value of art and culture and get the most out of their visit. The Children’s Museum, like its adult counterpart, also hosts exhibitions from time to time. Some of the previous exhibitions held here have included ‘Travelling Shapes and Colours’, ‘Emotions, the New Art of Adventure’, and ‘Animals Real and Imaginary.’

With Jean Nouvel’s starry dome glittering overhead, the yoga sessions at Louvre Abu Dhabi are a unique way to unwind oneself. The instructional yoga classes are guided by an instructor, and open to all visitors, regardless of whether they’re regular practitioners of yoga or not. With the sound of waves crashing and the slow trickling of the sea breeze, these yoga sessions are truly rejuvenative. The 75 minute sessions are held twice on Tuesdays and Sundays, once at 11.00 AM, and next at 05.00 PM, along with a special ladies only class on Sundays at the same time. The sessions are open to all visitors above the age of 15.

Drawing at the Museum session is built to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of art and its nuances. It’s a special drawing class designed especially for adults. The visitors are paired with a designated museum educator, who then guides them through the galleries on an observational tour. Observing the sculptures and relics, one is taught about the intrinsic play of light and shade in art, about the intricacy of human form, and about the artistic perspective. The two hour tour then draws to a close with a heated discussion session, where visitors then reflect on what they have learnt and debate on their critical understanding of art and artistic techniques.

One of the most exciting experiences offered by the Abu Dhabi Louvre tickets, the Royal Secret Soiree transports one through time and space into the Royal Opera House of Versailles. The elaborate roleplay experience commences as you receive your ‘royal invitation’, which asks you to meet one of the Queen’s friends and explore a secret passageway in order to get the password for the event entry. Having followed the instructions exactly, one then gains entry to the Royal Opera House, or the auditorium at Louvre which is transformed to exactly imitate the Versailles structure. What follows is an evening of royal entertainment- live music, dances and other performances keep the evening alive and going, drawing one into the night’s narrative.

One of the most creative experiences to be included in the Abu Dhabi Louvre tickets is Make and Play. This play area at Louvre Abu Dhabi lets one get handsy with art. The play session offers a host of raw materials, and relies on visitors’ imaginations to create new art, inspired by the art that already surrounds them. The creative endeavours are supervised by the museum educators, who are ready not just to offer critical insights but also guide one’s art project along. The two hour make and play sessions take place three times on Sunday and Saturday, at 11.30 AM, 02.30 PM, and 04.30 PM.

Aptitude, a pop-up café within the Louvre Abu Dhabi park grounds, boasts of a stylish and laid back atmosphere. It's a unique sensation to sit and sip a cup of coffee in the shades of the only other Louvre outside of Paris. Aptitude's pride, is of course, its coffee based drinks. Cold brews, Aeropress and Chemex filtered coffees, as well as saffron, rose, and pistachio lattes, are all made using ethically sourced coffee beans. The cafe's extensive, irresistible menu also includes a variety of snacks and other breakfast dishes. The cafe’s seating, commanding lovely views of both the sea and the museum, is an added crowd puller. With its recent re-launch, Aptitude Cafe is also bringing with it a number of fun events, including themed dinners, workshops, special events and much more. The ever-popular Oud Nights, which combines traditional music performances with specialty coffee, is making a return as well.

Timings: 09.00 AM- 10.00 PM on all days of the week.

Fouquet's, the world-famous French bistro, has opened its doors at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, delivering the ideal of great French brasserie cuisine to the UAE. Its menu is crafted in partnership with French Michelin star-winning chef Pierre Gagnaire. Foqueat’s celebrate the traditional customs of classic French cooking while also embracing current international and traditional culinary approaches. The classic French menu here features staple delights such as the ratatouille, a range of traditional desserts, and a good collection of white and red wine. The dress code at Fouquet's is casual and chic; the targeted ambience is elegant, and trainers and shorts are discouraged for evening visits.

Timings: Foquet’s remains closed on Mondays. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 12.00 PM- 12.00 AM (last order at 10.00 PM)Thursday and Friday: 12.00 PM- 1.00 AM (last order at 10.30 PM)

Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the Museum Cafe offers a casual pit stop during one’s visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi. Combining European and Emirati flavours, the Museum offers a wholesome dining experience for customers of all tastes. Burgers, salads and one-person meals are the biggest sellers at the Museum Cafe, and they offer takeaway services as well. The menu here features a range of freshly pressed juices and non-alcoholic drinks. The special children’s menu here seeks to satisfy its youngest guests, although the Cafe is more than ready to accommodate gluten free and vegan diners as well. While sitting indoors is always a good option, the Museum Cafe also features an outer deck with unobstructed views to the sea.

Timings: **The Museum Cafe remains closed on Mondays.**Tuesday- Sunday: 10.00 AM- 06.30 PM

The Art Lounge is a hidden jewel on the museum's renowned rooftop, and it's the ideal spot to meet up with friends for a post-gallery refreshment. The philosophy behind the making of the Art Lounge was to create a space where art connoisseurs with shared interests can meet and interact with those with similar dispositions. The Art Lounge offers a stylish outdoor space where visitors may unwind and enjoy a variety of drinks and light nibbles. The fares at the rooftop lounge include tapas-style items with a mix of gluten free and vegetarian options. It is also regarded as one of the top sunset lounges in the city because of the amazing, uninterrupted views of the Abu Dhabi skyline and the Saadiyat Islands. The Art Lounge remains operative beyond the regular museum hours, but requires a booking to be accessed by external guests.

Timings:The Lounge remains closed on Mondays.Tuesday- Sunday: 03.00 PM- 11.00 PM, with last order at 10.30 PM