How the race for a selfie with Mona Lisa forces the world’s largest art museum ‘The Louvre’ to shut down

The Louvre in Paris, the most visited art museum in the world and home to the iconic Mona Lisa, was unexpectedly shut down on Monday after staff went on strike. The sudden closure left thousands of tourists waiting outside with no explanation.

Workers say the museum is buckling under the strain of mass tourism, chronic understaffing and deteriorating infrastructure. With more than 8 million visitors last year, the Louvre has become a symbol of how unchecked tourism can overwhelm even the grandest cultural institutions. The strike follows growing unrest across Europe where cities are pushing back against the impact of overtourism. For Louvre workers, the breaking point has arrived.

Their message is clear. It is not just about protecting great art. It is also about protecting the people who care for it every day.

Mona Lisa’s home “The Louvre” flooded by visitors

The Louvre has seen war and terror and even survived a global pandemic but it is the daily crush of modern tourism that has brought it to a halt. Staff walked out without warning during a routine meeting saying they could no longer handle the pressure of enormous crowds and poor working conditions.

Striking workers described their jobs as “untenable,” citing chronic understaffing, heat stress, and long-neglected infrastructure like leaky ceilings and poor ventilation.

Many say they are exhausted by the relentless pace and overwhelmed by a space not designed to handle millions of annual visitors.

The Mona Lisa and the selfie storm

At the heart of the chaos is the Mona Lisa painting. More than 20,000 people pack into the Salle des etats (a room in the museum) every day to get a photo with the famous portrait.

Most barely notice the other masterpieces in the room. Visitors describe the scene as loud and stressful with pushing and phones blocking the view. Some liken it to a celebrity appearance rather than an art experience. Despite the painting’s fame, the overcrowding makes it nearly impossible to appreciate her properly.

Louvre staff say this daily mob has turned the gallery into a pressure cooker, with little relief in sight.

Government’s plan to reduce crowding

President Emmanuel Macron has announced a major renovation plan that includes a new entrance and a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa by 2031. But staff say they can’t wait years for relief. They point to leaking ceilings and rising temperatures that put both people and priceless art at risk.

A wider tourist overcrowding

The Louvre strike came just a day after anti-tourism protests swept through cities like Venice and Barcelona. Activists there say tourism is damaging local life.

At the Louvre, it is damaging the experience itself. Many say the museum has turned into a crowded funnel rather than a place for reflection.

Temporary solution and uncertain future

Some staff may return briefly to allow access to a few key artworks including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The full reopening could happen by Wednesday. Tourists with missed tickets may be allowed in later but no firm plans have been confirmed.Despite record attendance and rising ticket prices the Louvre has seen its government funding cut over the past decade. Workers say the state is ignoring urgent problems while using the museum for political prestige. For now France’s greatest museum stands at a crossroads between glory and exhaustion.