Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa aka: La Joconda, La Gioconda

After hearing from EVERYONE that this painting was going to be much smaller than I expected, upon entering the huge room filled with tourists, I was actually happy to find that it was BIGGER than what I was anticipating to be an overrated tourist trap. I guess it’s just because everyone has such high expectations for such a famous piece of art. Even then, though, there are so much more inspiring paintings to see in the Louvre, but it’s still worth seeing the Mona Lisa just to say you’ve seen probably the most famous painting ever.

I realise saying its not worth visiting isn’t a positive response to having seen it, but you can’t get that close to it due to the crowds and barrier. I wish they had some kind of magnifying glass that was positioned on some stand/column thatyou could view it from too so you could see more of the details….. I guess the main point is that you can say you’ve seen the real one.. or have you??

by tons of other people, so you’re unlikely to be able to get that close to it. It’s still exciting to see such a famous painting in real life, but I think what most visitors will take away is the feeling of surprise about how small the painting is.

You’ll see lots of people taking photos with the flash left on, even though you’re not meant to. I wish people wouldn’t do that. I took a non-flash photo of it, and you can definitely tell what painting it is!

You don’t have to be a fan of paintings or museum to like the Mona Lisa. I’m not a painting fan, but this one is interesting in itself because of its popularity. While looking at it, I felt privileged to see it. Not many people I know have seen it and it’s a totally different feeling to see it there compare to see it on TV or in a movie. A must see in Paris.

Very overrated. Surrounded by a crowd of people with cameras going off. I never understood the appeal of this painting anyway.

Worth going just to say you’ve done it, I guess. Expect a huge group of tourists crowding around it at all times with flash bulbs going off (even though you’re not allowed to take flash photographs).

Picture it in your head. It’s about 10 times smaller than you’re expecting.

Avoid it. The Mona Lisa draws HUGE crowds, and it’s nearly impossible to get close enough to see it. If you can get to it, it’s lovely and wonderful to see up close…it’s just that whole getting to it issue.

I remember the crowds and trying to get a good photo of “The Mona Lisa” without using a flash. I visited in the mid-80’s…pre-pyramid.

Many people think it’s overrated, and many think the crowd that surrounds it is just too much. However, seeing the Mona Lisa was a very monumental moment for me. If you appreciate art and history, it will be a wonderful moment for you too. Just being able to see the actual painting that Leonardo da Vinci painted… Standing certain distances from it and admiring it just as he did while painting it… it’s a great feeling, and it’s a wonderful accomplishment for an artist as well.

I’m not really into art I was pretty much at the Lovre for the egyptian section, but since it was there and our group was going there anyways (yes I’m the spring break kid) I took a peak.
I hadn’t read anything about it so like most say… it was smaller than anticipated, but I wasn’t that impressed.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a great painting but why had it become so famous when there are others that go unnoticed that are much better?
I dunno, if I went back to the Lovre I would visit the Mona Lisa again, I would recommend anyone to see it, but pretty much just for the bragging rights (is that so wrong?)