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

The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, was brought to a halt on Monday by its own striking staff, who say the institution is crumbling under the weight of mass tourism.

The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and other iconic works of art in Paris, closed abruptly Monday as the museum's staff staged an impromptu strike over large crowds of tourists and understaffing.