The Louvre has become a symbol of tourism pushed to its limits. As hot spots from Venice to the Acropolis race to curb crowds, the world's most iconic museum, visited by millions, is hitting a breaking point of its own.

The Paris museum has become a symbol of tourism pushed to its limits. Workers point to unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and what one union called “untenable” working conditions.

Thousands of tourists were left stranded outside the Louvre in Paris on Monday, as it was forced to shut down. What went wrong? It’s staff decided to go on strike

The Louvre shut down unexpectedly as staff members went on strike over unmanageable crowds and poor working conditions.

In the wake of that growing movement, workers at the Louvre reportedly spontaneously decided to walk out during a standard staff meeting on Monday, per the AP. Gallery attendants, ticket takers, and security all refused to operate their posts, complaining that the crowds have become unmanageable and the museum is understaffed.

On Monday morning, tourists flocked to the Louvre, eager to see the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and thousands

Thousands of angry tourists waited for hours outside the Louvre on Monday morning after the Paris museum's staff staged a surprise strike.

The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum and a global symbol of art, beauty and endurance, remained shuttered Monday — not by war but by its own exhausted staff, who say the institution in Paris is crumbling from within.