Louvre's 2017 financial boom fueled by Abu Dhabi deal and record visitors

The Louvre Museum in Paris reported a record 2017 budget of €320 million, a €103 million increase from 2016, driven by higher ticket sales (€83 million vs €63 million), philanthropy (€19 million vs €12 million), event space rentals (€15 million vs €11 million), and a €73.4 million installment from Abu Dhabi for the Louvre brand license. The museum's costs remained stable at €218 million, allowing the French state to reduce subsidies. The Louvre regained its title as the world's most visited museum, aided by successful exhibitions like "Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting" (over 325,000 visitors). The 2007 agreement with Abu Dhabi grants use of the Louvre name for 30 years and 6 months, with France providing curators, conservators, and four annual exhibitions for 15 years. Director Jean-Luc Martinez, an archaeologist and art historian, has been credited with effective marketing and management since 2013.