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What is the most expensive piece in the Louvre?

Guinness World Records lists Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa as having the highest ever insurance value for a painting. On permanent display at the Louvre in Paris, the Mona Lisa was assessed at US$100 million on 14 December 1962. Taking inflation into account, the 1962 value would be around US$970 million in 2022.



The most expensive (and effectively "priceless") piece in the Louvre Museum is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa (La Gioconda). While it is considered a French national treasure and cannot be sold, its estimated insurance and market value in 2026 is often cited as being over $870 million to $900 million. For comparison, the painting was insured for $100 million in 1962, which is approximately $900 million when adjusted for inflation today. Other multi-million dollar treasures in the museum include the Venus de Milo (estimated at $100M+), the Winged Victory of Samothrace ($120M+), and the Crown Jewels of France. However, the Louvre also houses artifacts like Hammurabi's Code, which holds no "market" value because it is an irreplaceable piece of human history. The Mona Lisa remains the primary driver of the museum's 9 million+ annual visitors, protected behind bulletproof glass in its own dedicated climate-controlled gallery, symbolizing the pinnacle of Renaissance art and global cultural heritage.

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Mona Lisa You can't go to the Louvre and not see Leonardo DaVinci's most famous work of art, but be prepared for the crowds surrounding this mysterious masterpiece! The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most popular painting in the world.

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The Louvre is the larger building (72 135 square meters vs. 63 154). But the grounds of Versailles are enormous, much larger than those of the Louvre, and the total park covers 1070 hectares.

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Where is the real Mona Lisa kept? The Mona Lisa hangs behind bulletproof glass in a gallery of the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been a part of the museum's collection since 1804. It was part of the royal collection before becoming the property of the French people during the Revolution (1787–99).

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The Mona Lisa – 10 million per year Created by Leonardo da Vinci at the start of the 16th century, it's valued at well over $660 million. The painting has been on display in the Louvre on and off since 1797. Every year, around 10 million people visit the museum.

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Although there is no formal dress code for visiting the Louvre, most people choose to step up their outfits. You want to hit the right balance between comfortable and chic while capturing that classic French elegance. Think tailored trousers, chic dresses, and well-fitting jeans.

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Due to urban expansion, the fortress eventually lost its defensive function, and in 1546 Francis I converted it into the primary residence of the French Kings. The building was extended many times to form the present Louvre Palace.

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