Summary

• The Mona Lisa at the Louvre is the most famous painting in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year.
• Expect large crowds and possible pushing and shoving when trying to see the Mona Lisa up close.
• The Mona Lisa is smaller than you may think, measuring only 30 inches by 21 inches.

The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world, and each year, millions of people flock to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, to see her smile.

Leonardo da Vinci's most popular work of art has fascinated everyone who has come to see it, even famous stars like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who even included her and the museum in a music video. There is no doubt that people from all over the world buy tickets just to see this small masterpiece, but first-timers to the Louvre will want to do some preparation before making their way to the museum.

There are a number of things to expect when seeing the Mona Lisa. If visitors do not go to the Louvre right when it opens, or during their late night hours, they can expect crowds hovering over the Mona Lisa and even some pushing and shoving.

Here are things to expect if you are planning on seeing Da Vinci's most alluring work.

UPDATE: 2023/10/25 13:22 EST BY NOAH STAATS

The Mona Lisa: A Beautifully Haunting Icon

This article has been refreshed with new information surrounding a visit to the Mona Lisa in Paris, France, and other related articles to consider. Whether you've never been to the Louvre or frequent it, the Mona Lisa is a can't-miss pop culture icon.

Tourists Buy Tickets To The Louvre Just To See The Mona Lisa, So Expect Crowds

• Because this museum is so widely known, expect crowds.
• It is almost always busy at the Louvre in France, so try to get there early.

The Mona Lisa is by far the most famous painting housed in The Louvre in Paris, France, and people from all over the world visit the museum just to see it. The Leonardo da Vinci painting is so beloved by artists and art enthusiasts because of her mischievous smile and overall beauty.

Tourists should expect large crowds to see the Mona Lisa. When the museum was going through renovations, one museum-goer stated that he waited in line for over an hour and had less than a minute to stand in front of the painting before being told to keep walking. However, travelers should expect to feel a lot more cramped in the area that houses the Mona Lisa than in other parts of the museum, which sometimes are entirely empty. For instance, these are things to see here besides the Mona Lisa, which are often overlooked.

There are other museums in Paris besides the Louvre to explore historic artworks, so that's another idea to consider if the Louvre is crowded.

Some Visitors Find The Mona Lisa Haunting

• Some people believe that the Mona Lisa is haunted.

Although there is no direct tale of the Mona Lisa painting being haunted, many guests of the Louvre find themselves uncomfortable when standing beside it. Especially at night, people have said her eyes move, and the vibe throughout the Louvre becomes rather dark. Again, this could be folklore, but there are enough opinions that back it up.

Mona Lisa, specifically, has always been a pop culture icon, symbolizing much more than a lady in France. The painting is said to undermine the female gaze and struggle, which could explain the strong feeling guests sometimes have nearby. Many also say Da Vinci dreamed her (or had a nightmare), causing the painting to happen. The next time you're at the Louvre, you'll have to find out whether these tales are authentic or not.

Mona Lisa Rules Here, Everything Else Seems Secondary To Tourists

• Although many artworks are featured inside the Louvre, the Mona Lisa has always been the most popular.

Every year, more than six million people make a trip to the Louvre to see the famous Mona Lisa painting. This small painting of a woman may seem simple to some, but it clearly has become the most famous and fascinating painting in the entire world.

Leonardo da Vinci took four years to complete the painting, starting around 1503 or 1504. He used several different painting techniques that went away from the standards of contemporary art at the time, which has also made the painting so famous. Besides his techniques of not using lines or borders to begin his painting, Mona Lisa's smile has also been a point of conversation for hundreds of years. Da Vinci has created an optical illusion that appears as though she is smiling and then she is not.

Expect People Elbowing One Another To Get Closer To The Painting

• Tourists are known to get handsy when trying to see the Mona Lisa up close.

With so many people rushing to see the Mona Lisa, tourists can expect to get elbowed by others who want an up-close view of Da Vinci's masterpiece. Visitors will want to go to the Louvre Museum right when it opens or a lot later in the day to avoid getting elbowed or even shoved.

This post on seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris is worth reading for first-timers.

To see the Mona Lisa, it's always advised to purchase tickets in advance, and you'll avoid waiting in line at the security entrance and then waiting again in a ticket line. What's great about ordering these e-tickets in advance is not only do you skip long lines that can take hours, but you'll also have a timeslot selection, which is great for planning your entire trip.

There Will Be Some Pushing And Shoving If You Don't Decide To Go Once They Open

• Crowds tend to get rowdy after the early morning rush, so it's best to get here early.

Many past visitors to the Louvre Museum urge first-timers to go once the museum opens or to come at night on Wednesday or Friday when the museum stays open until 9:45 p.m. The museum opens at 9 a.m., so if you are an early bird, make sure to be there at the time it opens so you can enjoy the Mona Lisa without getting pushed around by other visitors.

The Louvre houses many masterpieces that are being overlooked because so many visitors want to see Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. After you enjoy his work, make sure to see the famous Greek statue, Venus de Milo, the Nike of Samothrace sculpture, the painting of Liberty Leading the People, and so many more exquisite works of art you cannot see anywhere else.

This Travel Guide To Paris may also be worth the read.

Related: Emma Stone And 19 Other Celebs Spotted At The Louvre In Paris

It's Smaller Than You Think

• Many don't realize how small the Mona Lisa painting truly is.
• The precious painting only measures 30 inches by 21 inches.

Many visitors to the Louvre Museum are surprised at just how small the Mona Lisa is. The oil-on-wood panel painting measures 30 inches by 21 inches and weighs 18 pounds. Maybe that is why tourists are literally on top of each other to get a closer look at her.

Even if you don't end up going to the museum right when it opens, you will still enjoy the Mona Lisa. Visitors might be a little pushy, and you might get elbowed here or there, but so is everyone else.