Where the Mona Lisa hangs
Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of Lisa Gherardini, known as the Mona Lisa or La Joconde, hangs in the Salle des États. The museum lists the room as number 711, in the Denon wing on level 1. Level 1 is the first floor above the ground floor, which the museum numbers level 0.
The painting is small and sits behind glass. It is painted on poplar wood, not on canvas, and has been kept in a climate-controlled protective case since 2005, according to the museum. Most visitors arrive with the idea of a huge picture. Knowing the real size in advance makes the visit less of a letdown.
This guide is independent and has no connection to the museum. Tickets are sold by the museum itself, and you can read how that works on our Louvre tickets page.
How to see the Mona Lisa
The painting is in a room with other large works. A few habits make the visit smoother.
Book your entry first
Choose a time slot before you travel. The museum recommends one, and at times it is mandatory. A ticket is not a guarantee of a short line inside, so see the ticket rules before you buy.
Plan for security and for the crowd
Every visitor passes a security check. Inside, the crowd in front of the painting is a separate matter from the entry line. No reliable average wait is published, so do not plan around a number you read in a blog.
Look at the rest of the room
Veronese's Wedding Feast at Cana hangs opposite the Mona Lisa. The room also holds other Venetian paintings, including two by Titian. Turn around before you leave.
Photos are allowed, flash is not
Private photos and video are allowed in the permanent collections. Flash, extra lighting and selfie sticks are banned.
Our picks: Mona Lisa tours
Three guided visits that include the Mona Lisa.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mona Lisa and iconic masterpieces in English
A licensed guide, a pre-reserved museum ticket, the group reservation fee and a headset, in a group of up to 20. Transport, food and drinks are not included.
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Louvre highlights with an art historian
An English-speaking art historian as guide and museum entry, with stops at works including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Tips are not included; the listing does not name a separate time slot.
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Mona Lisa and masterpieces with reserved entry
Pre-reserved museum entry, an English-speaking expert guide and a headset. Tips and hotel transfer are not included, and wine and cheese only come with an upgrade.
Check availability →Guided tours that include the Mona Lisa
Small-group and private tours of the Louvre, many of which stop at the Mona Lisa, with live prices and availability.
Choosing a time of day
The museum is open 9:00 to 18:00 on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 9:00 to 21:00 on Wednesday and Friday. It is closed on Tuesday. The last entry is one hour before closing, and rooms start to clear 30 minutes before the end.
The late evenings on Wednesday and Friday add hours to your day, but a late opening does not mean every gallery is open. Check the museum's list of available galleries for your date. Whether the room is quieter at a given hour is not something anyone can promise, so treat the hours as a way to spread your day rather than a trick for an empty room.
Our page on opening hours lists the full schedule and the three closing days of the year, and the best time to visit covers seasons and planning.
A separate room for the Mona Lisa is planned
On 28 January 2025 the French president presented a project called Nouvelle Renaissance. It includes a new entrance at the Perrault colonnade, new underground spaces beneath the Cour Carrée and a dedicated area for the Mona Lisa with its own access and its own ticket. The speech named 2031 as the latest date for the opening of the new facilities.
That is an announced target, not a finished building. For now the museum still lists the Salle des États and room 711, and the announced separate ticket belongs to that future project. Check the museum's pages before you travel in case this changes.
Keep going from here
The Mona Lisa is one stop among many. These pages cover the others.
15 works to see
A numbered list with wing, level and room, and a route through the museum.
Winged Victory of Samothrace
The statue at the top of the Daru staircase, on the same floor.
Venus de Milo
Where to find her in the Sully wing and what is known about her.
Map, wings and entrances
Which wing is which, what the levels mean and where to go in.
Louvre tickets
2026 prices, time slots and free entry rules.
Mona Lisa: frequently asked questions
Where is the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?
In the Salle des États, room 711, in the Denon wing on level 1. The museum still gives this location, even though a separate room is planned.
Is the Mona Lisa really small?
Yes. It is a modest portrait on a poplar panel, kept in a protective case. Expect to see it at a distance, over other visitors' heads.
Is there a separate ticket for the Mona Lisa?
No. Entry to the museum covers it. A dedicated Mona Lisa area with its own ticket has been announced, but it is a future project with a target date of 2031 at the latest.
How long will I wait to see it?
No reliable average is published. The entry line, the security check and the crowd in front of the painting are three different things. Book a time slot and allow extra time.
Can I take a photo of the Mona Lisa?
Yes, for private use, but without flash and without a selfie stick. Rules for special exhibitions can differ.
Is the Mona Lisa always on view?
It is listed in room 711, but the museum warns that rooms close on rotation. Check the gallery list for your date, and see our opening hours page for the weekly schedule.