The Grand Louvre expansion finally cost 7 billion francs, approximately EUR1.5 billion today. "The president determined that culture, not economics, should come first," Mardrus explains. "So he decided to forgo government subsidies and use private funds instead."
In 1980, President François Mitterrand announced plans to build a new museum on the site of the former pyramid. The project was scheduled for completion in 1991 at a total cost of 110 million francs (approx. $15 million). However, due to increased costs and changing tastes, it took until 1995 for the new museum to be opened to the public. By this time, the Mitterrand administration had spent about 180 million francs (approx. $25 million) more than originally planned.
The Grand Louvre is so large that it requires its own postal code (01008) and telephone area code (00 33). It also has its own police force, fire department, and ambulance service.
The pyramid was designed by IM Pei and FR Møller and opened in 1976. At the time, it was the world's largest concrete structure. It stood 38 meters high and covered an area of nearly 1 million square feet (92,000 m²).
Abu Dhabi paid an extra $525 million to be linked with the Louvre brand, as well as an additional $747 million in exchange for art loans, special exhibits, and managerial guidance. The deal also includes a partnership between the two museums and research initiatives.
The contract signed by Mohammed Bin Zayed, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and Françoise Proust, director-general of the French Ministry of Culture, grants the government of Abu Dhabi exclusive rights to use the name "Louvre" for 10 years. In addition, artists from both countries will be able to request loans of each other's works.
The contract was published by Le Monde newspaper on its website. It also states that if at any point during its duration the government of Abu Dhabi decides not to extend the contract, it will refund all payments made by France for the use of the name "Louvre".
According to Le Monde, the total cost of the contract to France is about $82.5 million. The paper says this amount includes management fees, staff bonuses, and other expenses related to the project. A further $350 million has been allocated by the government of Abu Dhabi to purchase European artworks for display in its museums.
The Louvre admission fee is EUR 15. Tickets may be purchased online for EUR17, allowing you to enter quickly rather than waiting in the normally large line. Everyone under the age of 18 gets admitted free all year, and everyone under the age of 26 is admitted free on Friday evenings.
The Louvre opens at 9:30 a.m., but visitors can arrive up to an hour before then. In addition, there are special exhibitions that run for several months, often closing years after their opening date; these cost extra to see and are not included in your general admission ticket. Check with the museum for current exhibition times.
There are also many other fees that may need to be paid in order to visit the museum. These include reservation fees, design museum fees, photography fees, etc. The amount of these fees varies depending on what type of ticket is being used and how many people are attending the show. There are also additional charges for using certain parts of the museum (i.e. special exhibits).
In conclusion, admission to the Louvre is quite expensive. A family of four would need to spend about $60 per person to visit the museum.
Even the unconventional conditions of the museum's 75-year deal are no longer a problem. The Basques agreed to finance the $100 million building cost, establish a $50 million acquisitions fund, pay the Guggenheim a one-time $20 million charge, and subsidize the museum's $12 million yearly budget. All this allowed the Guggenheim to avoid an annual tax on art museums.
The Guggenheim was built in Spain's industrial north on land donated by the city of Bilbao. Most of the materials used for its construction were obtained from local sources. The main material used in its exterior is cast iron, which was bought from a foundry near Barcelona. The glass used for its windows is also Spanish, purchased in Manzanares River Valley. Even the plumbing and wiring are done by hand by a team of plumbers and electricians from Spain.
The museum opened its doors to the public on July 7, 1997. It took about four years to complete the project under the direction of American architect Frank Gehry. The Guggenheim has been praised for its innovative design and its use of modern technology to display artwork. It is considered one of the most influential buildings of the 20th century.
And he succeeded!
The Louvre's History The Louvre was initially established as a castle in 1190, but was later rebuilt as a royal residence in the 16th century. "Like many structures, it was created and restored throughout time," said Tea Gudek Snajdar, an art historian, museum docent, and Culture Tourist blogger based in Amsterdam. The building we see today is a recent restoration of what used to be called the Palace of Louis XIV, since 1715 when he was king.
After the French Revolution in 1789, the palace became a national museum where people could come to learn about the history of France from the ancient world up until then. The collection here contains great paintings by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rembrandt. Also on display are sculptures, artifacts from daily life in the past, and pieces of architecture dating back hundreds of years.
Museums like this one help people understand more about culture, society, and history by showing their collections in a setting that makes them accessible and interesting to visitors. By engaging with these items you can learn more about our shared human history, even if you cannot travel to certain places because of time or money.
In conclusion, a museum like this one helps people understand more about culture, society, and history by showing their collections in a setting that makes them accessible and interesting to visitors.