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.

A spontaneous strike at the Louvre erupted during a routine internal meeting, as gallery attendants, ticket agents and security personnel refused to take up their posts.

Visitors were left stranded outside in Paris on Monday after a monthly union meeting led to a wildcat strike over workplace conditions and crowding.