When I saw it in the 1970s it was relaxed, and it was easy to stand right in front of it. I went back in 2007 and the room was packed. I couldn't get near it. I had my six year old daughter on my shoulders. A guard came over to me and motioned to give her my daughter. I don't speak French. I was reluctant. She kept insisting, pointing to the Mona Lisa. I let her take my daughter's hand. She brought her to the front, in a roped off area right in front of the painting. The section was just for kids.