Manuel Rabat

Museum Director

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Manuel Rabaté has served as Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi since 2016, overseeing all aspects of its operations and development. Since the museum’s opening in 2017, Louvre Abu Dhabi has welcomed over 6 million visitors, including a record 1.4 million in 2024, and has produced more than 25 groundbreaking exhibitions. Rabaté began his career at the Musée du Louvre in Paris in 2002 as Deputy Director of the Auditorium, where he was involved in cultural programming and public engagement. He later contributed to the launch of Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac as Deputy Director of Cultural Development (2005-2008), managing the museum’s inaugural touring exhibitions. In 2008, he joined Agence France-Muséums shortly after the landmark 2007 intergovernmental agreement between France and Abu Dhabi. During his tenure there, he served as CFO, Secretary General, and eventually CEO (2008-2016), playing a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of Louvre Abu Dhabi, first in Paris and, from 2014, in Abu Dhabi.