The Louvre: More than the Mona Lisa

"Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris"

Mona Lisa at the Louvre

For many years, whenever someone mentioned the Louvre, I thought of the Mona Lisa.

That was the picture in my mind every time. Of course, I knew that the Louvre held thousands of other treasures. But it wasn’t until I visited that I could fully appreciate that there are 35,000 works of art on exhibition there.

The Louvre, Paris

I was also struck by the beauty of the museum’s architecture including the original twelfth century building and subsequent additions surrounding I.M. Pei’s Pyramid, completed in 1989. Now when I think of the Louvre, the Mona Lisa is just one in a gallery of pictures in my mind.

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24 thoughts on “The Louvre: More than the Mona Lisa

  1. Turkey's For Life

    I bet we’re the only people who have been to Paris and not visited the Louvre! 🙂 I love it when architects really think about what they’re doing with new additions to an old building. The pyramid is great. I also like Sir Norman Foster’s dome on the Reichstag in Berlin. THAT we did manage to see. 🙂
    Julia

    1. Cathy Post author

      I understand that there was some controversy over the pyramid about architecture as well as symbolism, but I think it’s a perfect complement to the old buildings.

  2. Renee

    Nice angle, Catherine. The pyramid looks even more interesting from a higher plane. You are right, there is so much more to the Louvre than Mona Lisa, but she seems to be the most touted.

    1. Cathy Post author

      Thanks, Renee. I really liked this particular shot. The more I’ve looked at it, the more aspects of it I like. I’m glad that others are enjoying it, too!

  3. Christy @ Technosyncratic

    When we visited we were shocked by how small the Mona Lisa was. Cool piece, but….. there’s just so much more to see at the Louvre! The pyramid was one of my favorite parts. 🙂

    1. Cathy Post author

      I was surprised by how small the Mona Lisa was, too. I was lucky to be there on a fairly quiet morning, so was able to get up front.

  4. Leigh

    Lovely shot – especially with the old & new in 1 frame. The human element adds a nice touch too. Would actually like to spend more time in the Impressionist museum – the name of which escapes me right now.

  5. jade

    Ah, one of my favs. I love the Orsay too, but there’s nothing quite like your first time in The Louvre. We saw the Mona Lisa but really just stopped around the crowds and then walked away. There was so many other areas that we liked more without all the people. I also love the National Treasure movies where they were solving puzzles around the Louvre!

  6. david

    Nice photo, it brings back some great memories of our visit. We were able to do a bicycle tour of Paris that included riding through the Louvre’s outdoor spaces at dusk when hardly any people were around. It was one of the best travel moments I’ve had.

  7. John in France

    After reading your heading I just had to read more!! I want to write a book “What’s the big deal about Mona?” I regularly visit the Louvre and have so many favourites it’s ridiculous, but sorry Mona’s not on the list!!! I might have to share with you some of my favourites on FB!!!

  8. Norbert

    That’s a nice shot Cathy! I haven’t been to Paris yet, but every time I think of the Louvre I kinda do the same thing you did… think about The Mona Lisa and I.M. Pei’s pyramid. 🙂 The Louvre, and Paris, are definitely in my bucket list.

  9. Angela

    I haven’t been to the Louvre, I heard the Mona Lisa is so popular that you get to see it very quickly and always surrounded by a lot of people. Certainly there are so many other beautiful paintings to see at the Louvre!

  10. Theodora

    My major memory of the Mona Lisa is how small it is. You expect it, somehow, to be bigger. And there it is, behind the glass, all tiny.

  11. Elle

    I have visited The Louvre each time I’ve been to Paris and will continue to go back time and time again. There is so much to see there! You’re right, the architecture inside of the building is wonderful.

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