Louvre Tours to see Mona Lisa

Paris Walks does a Louvre tour, or at least they did. My Paris Walk in Montemarte was excellent. I can't speak to the one at the Louvre.

IMHO, unless you just want to say "you were there" or take a selfie, there are many more things to see at The Louvre than the Mona Lisa. Although I saw this once (when I was young and foolish) on my first trip to Paris, I personally have no desire anymore to wade through the crowds in front of her when there are so many wonderful pieces of art to see there without any significant crowds. And for those, you don't need a tour at all.

Well, actually, that’s what we are thinking. We purchased timed entry tickets, and plan to explore on our own. However, one in our tour group really wants to see the Mona Lisa, and I was wondering, for her sake, the best way to accomplish that.
Thank you

Thank you!

If you really want to acquire a deeper understanding of The Mona Lisa , spend an hour and watch this wonderful PBS NOVA program on the painting , and how Leonardo executed it https://youtu.be/kjDqx3XOGMo

Thank you - we will definitely check that out.

We went to the Louvre last October and waited in line to see the Mona Lisa. The line is efficient, moves relatively quickly, and you get to see her the whole time as you wait in line. When it’s your turn, you can get up close, and take photos. I grew up in Paris, have seen her dozens of times, and it is still a thrill for me every time. You don’t need to take a tour to see her, and i don’t know if a tour allows you to by-pass the line.

Last October was a different world, Susan. The place is mobbed now.

Ah, ok Bets. Are there way more people than Oct 2019? Because i was there then too and very few people were in the room.

see my posting of Rick's T&L article to see what tourism is like at the moment. Basically SRO.

I didn't go to that room since we were there for a special exhibit. But at 9:30 am the Richelieu entrance was backed up into the courtyard. Normally, it's just a school group or two.

I have been in the room to see the Titians numerous times before C-19. It was always quite a scene, even with a guard. An employee told me the Louvre was back to full capacity, 22,500 per day

Then AF check-un for business class/priority had 20x more people in line than my previous flights in December 2021 and February 2021. American tourism is back in large numbers. Think 2019 crowds but without the groups from China.

You might also want to see Leonardo's tiny The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, because you can usually stand right in front of it.

I agree with Tim. That painting never has crowds, and it is so much more interesting, IMHO. There also is the Madonna of the Rocks which I've seen a few times, very close to Virgin/child/St. Anne.

Bets, darn it. Paris was sooo nice last Oct with few American tourists there.

Thanks Tim, good tip.

Thanks for posting that DaVinci documentary, Steven. I've been watching as much as possible for my upcoming trip and hadn't seen this one.

Was at the Louvre yesterday. I am thankful I am a member and that I can go in for an hour or so at a time if I like. In the last 10 years the museum has become such an exhausting place to visit. Too many people think they have to be there

No there's not a "skip the line for Mona" tour LOL! They don't let tour groups get there early or have any special access,... they have to join the mosh pit just like everyone else.

After all it's not art unless you take YOUR photo in front of it.

(Personally it's the most overrated piece in the museum... so much better art including better options just by this artist!)

We used Fat Tire Tours in 2018 for Skip the Line Louvre Tour – Closing Time with the Mona Lisa. It worked really well. Saw the top attractions of the museum and ended with our tour group the only one in the Mona Lisa room. It is a 3hour tour so plenty of time to see the other parts of the museum.

@Susan ah, yes. Went to Paris last September and literally had the whole Sully wing to myself. Can't even imagine what the place must be like now.