[HorizonXP]

I'm not sure why you're being downvoted. I first went to Paris in 2014, and I experienced the same thing. Throngs of people surrounding the Mona Lisa. I was with family that wasn't very receptive to the Louvre experience, so we pretty much "saw the Mona Lisa and got the f* out".

I'm heading back to Paris next month with just my wife, and I plan on spending at least 2 days in the Louvre. I wouldn't say that people ruin art, but what I saw with the Mona Lisa was not very positive.

[filereaper]

The opposite of that can be equally irritating.

Take for instance the Galleria Borghese in Rome which only allows 500 visitors in pre-determined slots. If you miss your slot or everything is filled out during your trip, you'll miss out like we did.

What I haven't figured out is why museums like the Louvre need to close for the night, its art work. Why not leave it open all night long and shutdown for a few days for maintenance work.

[1] http://www.galleriaborghese.it/en/

[ghaff]

I expect for the same reason most stores close down at night. Sure, you'll get some business but probably not enough to cover the costs of staying open. Furthermore, there's probably a lot of daily maintenance and cleaning to do.

[HorizonXP]

Funny you mention that. I surprised my wife with a proposal in the gardens just outside there, after her and her sister visited the Galleria. Also pretty sure her cousin dated the Borghese prince who was on The Bachelor.

[luckydata]

Mostly because people like to sleep and France has unions.