Louvre Abu Dhabi opening: everything you need to know

After ten years of waiting, the big day is nearly here. From ticket prices to opening hours, here’s everything you need to know about Louvre Abu Dhabi’s opening on Saturday.

Opening hours: Louvre Abu Dhabi will be open Saturdays to Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm and Thursdays to Fridays from 10am to 10pm. The museum will be closed on Mondays after the opening week.

Ticket prices: Regular tickets cost Dh60 while Dh30 will buy entry for visitors between the ages of 13 and 22. Tickets bought online or at the door cost the same. Free access will be granted for Louvre Abu Dhabi members; children under 13 years; journalists; members of the International Council of Museums/International Council on Monuments and Sites; and disabled visitors who are accompanied with one companion.

Can I buy a ticket on the door? Online tickets for Saturday have sold out. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door but priority will be given to those who have purchased online. Museum authorities are also advising people who have not got tickets for Saturday to come in the days after the launch.

Louvre Abu Dhabi location: The museum is located on Saadiyat Island. Coming from Abu Dhabi take the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge and signs point to the museum. From Dubai, take the Yas/Saadiyat exit from Sheikh Zayed Road.

Parking and taxis: There will be parking available, including a valet option, adjacent to the museum for people arriving from 10am on Saturday. There are also slots for taxis. Stewards will be on hand to guide people as they arrive.

What can I see on the first day? From Saturday, visitors will be able to view about 600 exhibits, half of which will be from the museum’s permanent collection. Artworks on display will include a self portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, “Children Wrestling” by Paul Gauguin; and “La Belle Ferronnière” by Leonardo da Vinci. Many are on display in Abu Dhabi for the first time.

Are there special events for the opening: Four days of entertainment are taking place to mark the long-awaited opening. World music stars Ibrahim Maalouf, Fatoumata Diawara, Matthieu Chedid, aka -M-, and Totó la Momposina are performing over four nights at 9pm from Saturday along with local art performances, displays, workshops and family activities.

People who plan to visit on Saturday can expect to see a traditional al ayyala dance at 10am and Mali’s Awa Troupe of Sangha, who will perform a parade at 3pm. An Etihad fly past of the iconic dome will take place at 4pm.

Performances by -M- on November 11 and Maalouf on November 13 have been sold out.

Are there food and beverage options: A café will be open from Saturday. A ticket is needed to gain entry to the café. A restaurant is set to open in the coming months.

How long will it take to go around the museum: this varies from person to person but it should take on average around an hour and a half to walk around the 12 galleries. There will also be interactive multimedia guides available.

Will there be guided tours: During the opening week, guided tours will take place every 15 minutes for 45 minutes to give people an idea of what’s on offer across the museum. More info

By John Dennehy https://www.thenational.ae

Photo: The Louvre Abu Dhabi will open on Saturday. Christopher Pike / The National