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Gallery: A look inside the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Theater at the Fontainebleau Palace
The famous Imperial Theatre at Chateau de Fontainebleau was re-named by France after the UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in recognition of his generous support to the restoration of the cultural landmark following a historic agreement between the government of Abu Dhabi and France in 2007.
During a state visit to France in 2007, Sheikh Khalifa, ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, was reportedly entranced by the abandoned theatre and offered 10 million euros ($11.2 million) on the spot for its restoration.
Now called the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Theatre, it is the latest example of the close relations between Paris and Abu Dhabi.
After a project that has lasted 12 years the theatre is now being reopened.
The first phase of the restoration was completed in April 2014
The 16th-century Chateau de Fontainebleau in France is partly sponsored by the UAE.
