Is it true that it is forbidden to photograph the Eiffel Tower at night?

It is a common belief that the main attraction of Paris can only be photographed during the daytime. We checked whether this belief is true.

Warnings for travelers who want to capture the details of their trip to the French capital are actively circulated on the Russian-language Internet. They are transmitted, in particular, travel agencies and thematic portal "Rambler / Travel". A similar statement can be found in several publications of the British tabloid. The Sun, with reference to which the “news” was shared over the years “RIA Novosti", Baltic Internet portal Delfi, TV channel "Star" and website "Vesti.Ru" - part of the state holding VGTRK.

The 324-meter tower in the center of Paris was built according to the design of Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Exhibition. According to the French Intellectual Property Code, the Eiffel Tower (like any other structure) Can take photographs without any restrictions, regardless of the time of day, unless the photographs are subsequently used for commercial purposes. This confirms and information published on the official website of the company that is involved in the use and preservation of the famous monument.

However, at night, the Eiffel Tower lights up, which was installed in 1985. Unlike the attraction itself, the illumination is not considered a public property, so photographs taken at night can be done only with the permission of the management company. However, there is an important disclaimer on its website: “Views of the Eiffel Tower taken by individuals for private use do not require prior approval.” In turn, “professionals” who want to capture the illuminated tower and subsequently use the image, for example, on souvenirs or advertising, are required to coordinate the shooting.

In the age of social media, “private use” of photos often means publishing them online. Ordinary tourists don’t have to worry about this either. Firstly, how noted According to the authors of a 2014 article in the Art Law Journal, it is almost impossible to track all the tourists with night photographs of the Eiffel Tower on Instagram, and it is simply unprofitable to sue them. Secondly and most importantly, the management company itself in 2020 on its website reportedthat you can share photos without any restrictions. Moreover, according to judicial practice, even professional photographers not obliged request permission if the image of the illuminated tower is just part of the landscape and is of an “auxiliary” nature.

Photo: Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel

Mostly not true

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Is it Illegal to Take Photographs of the Eiffel Tower at Night?
2. 10 urban legends about the Eiffel Tower debunked
3. S. Lipovetsky & E. de Dampierre. The protection of the image of a building under French law: where judges create law