How to beat the crowds at the Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is the most visited painting in the Louvre, and on a busy day the crowd in front of it can be several rows deep. The portrait hangs in the Salle des États in the Denon wing, behind protective glass, and visitors are guided past it in a managed line. You will never have it to yourself, but with a little planning you can see it calmly and without spending half your visit waiting.

1. Book the first time slot of the day

Crowds build up quickly after opening. Book an early entry slot online, arrive a little before your time, and head straight for the Denon wing once you are through security. The Mona Lisa is signposted throughout the museum, and going there first usually puts you ahead of the main wave of tour groups.

2. Or go late

The last hours before closing are often calmer, as many groups leave in the afternoon. If the museum offers an evening opening during your stay, that is one of the most relaxed times to see the painting. Opening hours change, so check the museum's official schedule before you plan around a late visit.

3. Choose your day carefully

Weekends, public holidays and school holiday periods are the busiest. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so the days either side can be crowded too. If your dates are flexible, a weekday outside the peak season gives you the best chance of a quieter room.

4. Look around the room

Most visitors photograph the Mona Lisa and leave, but the Salle des États holds much more. On the opposite wall hangs Veronese's The Wedding Feast at Cana, the largest painting in the museum, and Venetian works by Titian and Tintoretto line the walls. Taking a few minutes for them makes the visit far more rewarding than the brief moment at the front of the line.

5. Keep it simple at the front

When it is your turn, you will have a short moment close to the painting. Have your phone ready if you want a photo, remember that flash is not allowed, and step aside so the line keeps moving. If you have an audio guide or e-guide, listen to the background story while you wait rather than at the front.