I was at the Louvre a few years back and was so excited to see the Mona Lisa. I was beyond SHOCKED when I "saw" it and I say that in quotes because that room was so packed I was way in the back...never got within 20' of it. But, it's like an 8" x 10" picture ! I thought it would be a huge painting. It was kind of weird to be honest. I was like....that's it ?!
Kim, I had that same experience with the Mona Lisa! I was expecting a much bigger painting and it was a definite let down. I get these images in my head from looking at pictures of art in books or online, and then the actual experience doesn't always match what I think it will be. Sometimes the experience is more than I expect though; seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence was so much better. It's 17 feet tall, and the marble seems to glow from within. And I loved how the expression on David's face seemed to change as you walked around the statue...from one side he looks so confident, and from another he looks worried. David is definitely on my list of top 5 art experiences in Europe.
Heading to Paris in June and already bought tix for the Louvre exhibit! Can’t wait. Also trying the Caudalie spa. We have a vacation planned to drive from London to the south of France (Menerbes) this summer, so plan to stop along the way and explore different areas of France on the way there and back!
Have so much fun in Paris - it's one of my favorite cities! I won't be able to visit while the fashion exhibit is at the Louvre, unfortunately. As for other areas to explore, I've been to Normandy and the Dordogne areas in France, and highly recommend both. The Dordogne has all the prehistoric cave art, and if you get to that part of France, don't miss Gouffre de Padirac. It's an underground cave system with an underground lake. You hike down, then take a boat ride and hike back out; the colors were stunning! I also LOVED exploring Fontevraud Abbey after reading a book about Eleanor of Aquitaine...she was truly a woman ahead of her time. And the dinner we had at Restaurant Le Montsorelli in Montsoreau after our visit to the Abbey is one of my most treasured memories...we had a table on the lawn on a lovely summer evening, overlooking the Loire river and the Chateau de Montsoreau.
I was at the Louvre a few years back and was so excited to see the Mona Lisa. I was beyond SHOCKED when I "saw" it and I say that in quotes because that room was so packed I was way in the back...never got within 20' of it. But, it's like an 8" x 10" picture ! I thought it would be a huge painting. It was kind of weird to be honest. I was like....that's it ?!
I remember seeing it for the first time too and being like "that's it?" and it was SUCH a packed room and was full of selfie sticks ha.
Kim, I had that same experience with the Mona Lisa! I was expecting a much bigger painting and it was a definite let down. I get these images in my head from looking at pictures of art in books or online, and then the actual experience doesn't always match what I think it will be. Sometimes the experience is more than I expect though; seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence was so much better. It's 17 feet tall, and the marble seems to glow from within. And I loved how the expression on David's face seemed to change as you walked around the statue...from one side he looks so confident, and from another he looks worried. David is definitely on my list of top 5 art experiences in Europe.
Good to know ! I am going to Florence in March of 2026 and I'll have to check that one out for sure...thanks (:
Heading to Paris in June and already bought tix for the Louvre exhibit! Can’t wait. Also trying the Caudalie spa. We have a vacation planned to drive from London to the south of France (Menerbes) this summer, so plan to stop along the way and explore different areas of France on the way there and back!
Have so much fun in Paris - it's one of my favorite cities! I won't be able to visit while the fashion exhibit is at the Louvre, unfortunately. As for other areas to explore, I've been to Normandy and the Dordogne areas in France, and highly recommend both. The Dordogne has all the prehistoric cave art, and if you get to that part of France, don't miss Gouffre de Padirac. It's an underground cave system with an underground lake. You hike down, then take a boat ride and hike back out; the colors were stunning! I also LOVED exploring Fontevraud Abbey after reading a book about Eleanor of Aquitaine...she was truly a woman ahead of her time. And the dinner we had at Restaurant Le Montsorelli in Montsoreau after our visit to the Abbey is one of my most treasured memories...we had a table on the lawn on a lovely summer evening, overlooking the Loire river and the Chateau de Montsoreau.
Normandy is definitely on my list. So many places to still see in France. I feel like I need to focus on places outside of Paris on my next trip.