A gallery in the frame as much as the artwork on display

First impressions before seeing the work of Impressionists. The taxi dropped me off at the sun-baked parking lot after we had passed roadside signs proclaiming "Let the light in." It was nondescript, albeit with freshly painted markings leading to a 40-meter path.

This led, indirectly and involving a security guard's directions "next left, first right," to the refreshing cool of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

When I visited in November it had been open for just a few days and few teething problems were apparent. Admission cost 60 UAE dirhams ($16) but the friendliness and willing-to-chat-attitude by those issuing tickets was at odds with the need to deal with the ever growing line behind me seeking admittance.