The Mona Lisa is arguably the most famous artwork in the world.
Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, this mysterious painting is in the Louvre’s largest room, the Salle des États.
More than twenty-five thousand tourists visit Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum in Paris daily.
If you also want to see this painting in the best condition, there are a few things you need to know.
Read on to learn everything about the Mona Lisa.
What to expect
Since it is one of the main attractions in the Louvre, visitors constantly crowd the room throughout the year.
Many visitors to the Louvre Museum feel surprised at how small the Mona Lisa painting is.
The painting measures 30 by 21 inches and is covered with non-reflective bulletproof glass to avoid reflections.
That may be why tourists are on top of each other to look at her.
If you are planning to visit with your young ones, we recommend you purchase a Louvre Museum ticket in advance to avoid the long lines.
The reason for disappointment among the visitors
Some people think it is not worth the hype and could be a disappointment among visitors.
Many visitors feel let down after seeing the miniature painting kept far away in a glass cabinet due to security and crowd.
However, watching the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Mona Lisa history
Leonardo Da Vinci began working on this masterpiece around 1503.
The portrait shows Lisa Gherardini, wife of the Florentine silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo.
He kept the painting close to him until he died in 1519, after which French King Francois acquired it.
The king hung it in the Appartement des Bains in the Palace at Fontainebleau.
That is how it became part of the royal collection of artworks.
During the french revolution between 1787 and 1799, people began claiming the painting as their collection.
After spending some time hanging in the bedroom of Napoleon, the Mona Lisa painting was moved to the Louvre Museum.
In 1911, a patriotic Italian stole the painting from the museum claiming it should instead be in Italy, the painter’s homeland.
Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum today
Since 1797, Mona Lisa has occupied her esteemed place in the Louvre Museum as one of the most well-known artworks.
Want to know where to find the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?
You can find Mona Lisa in Room 711 on the first level of the Denon Wing of the Louvre.
If you’re still unsure how to find this place, consult the map below for further information.
One of the simplest methods to locate the Mona Lisa is to search for pictorial signs pointing you in the appropriate direction.
Make sure to put the Mona Lisa on your list of must-see sights if you’re going to the museum!
Also, remember to look around at the artworks of other artists.
View the Mona Lisa Virtually
The Louvre Museum’s first virtual reality project, “Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass,” aims to replicate Da Vinci’s creative process.
The immersive experience provided by the app allows users to view the well-known painting in a whole new way.
The app is available for download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. It is, moreover, accessible on all VR systems.
Why is the Mona Lisa so famous?
The Mona Lisa painting was not well known before the 20th century.
Ironically the high-profile theft and the efforts made for its return helped promote and popularise the picture in 1911.
By 1914 the Mona Lisa became highly recognizable, making her a famous painting of its time.
Another aspect that makes it unique is the techniques that Leonardo da Vinci used while painting it.
Her mysterious smile and unproven identity have made it a source of fascination.
As some people say, they feel watched by Mona Lisa, no matter where they stand.
How much is the Mona Lisa worth
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Mona Lisa is the only painting with the most expensive insurance policy of $870 million in 2021.
But because the French will not sell the painting, it is essentially priceless.
Louvre Museum Mona Lisa tickets
The Mona Lisa is insanely famous and has had a huge impact on artists all over the world for years.
It is a public favorite and many people even opt for special tours that revolve around the painting.
If you are also a Mona Lisa lover, here are some exceptional tours that focus on the painting heavily:
Louvre Museum Mona Lisa without the crowd’s last entry tour
Explore the wondrous world of the Louvre Museum with this last entry tour.
With a carefully planned itinerary, the tour guide takes you through multiple exhibits till the last stop which is the Mona Lisa.
This is when the crowds are just leaving.
The Louvre Museum Mona Lisa without the crowd’s last entry tour includes:
- Complete 3 hours exploring the museum
- Pre-reserved skip-the-ticket-line entrance
- Seeing the Mona Lisa without the crowds
- A historian tour guide
- Headsets
- Small group tour (up to 15 people)
Ticket prices:
| Visitor age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (15 to 99 years) | €84 |
| Child ticket (2 to 14 years) | €79 |
Louvre Museum entry ticket with guidance to Mona Lisa
When entering the Louvre Museum, why not go to the iconic Mona Lisa first?
After reaching the Mona Lisa, you can spend ample time in front of the painting and at the rest of the museum.
The Louvre Museum entry ticket with guidance to the Mona Lisa includes the following:
- Skip-the-ticket-line entrance
- Advice about the Louvre Museum
- Time for self-exploration
Ticket prices:
| Visitor age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18 to 99 years) | €48 |
| Youth ticket (10 to 17 years) | €43 |
| Child ticket (1 to 9 years) | €38 |
Louvre Museum guided tour with Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa
Did you know that Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa are the two most popular exhibits at the Louvre Museum?
While Venus de Milo is a sculpture by Alexandros of Antioch, the Mona Lisa is a world-renowned painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
A guided tour that covers both these exhibits in pure detail sounds nothing short of perfect!
This guided tour of the Louvre includes:
- Skip-the-line fast access to the museum
- Audio headsets
- A small-group tour limited to 25 people
- The choice for an upgrade to a private tour
Ticket prices:
| Type of tour | Adult ticket price (18 to 99 years) | Child ticket price (4 to 17 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Group tour (upto 24 people) | €58 | €53 |
| Semi-private tour (upto 12 people) | €82 | €77 |
What is the best time to see the Mona Lisa painting
The museum is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, except on Tuesdays.
On Fridays, you can have an extended visit as it closes at 9.45 pm.
You can opt for early 9 am visits to see Mona Lisa peacefully from all angles.
If you can not make it in the morning, another best time is at night or after 4 pm because of the prominent tourist groups.
Last entry: 1 hour before closing
Clearing of rooms: 30 minutes before closing time
You can directly visit the painting of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum and explore it at your own pace.
The Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on Tuesday.
Featured Images: Louvre.fr