facebook
News Why It's Illegal To Take Photos Of The Eiffel Tower At Night
Advertisement

Why It's Illegal To Take Photos Of The Eiffel Tower At Night

It's illegal to take photos of the night-lit Eiffel Tower because it's seen as a violation of the artist’s copyright. Click here to read more

Advertisement

By: STACEY LEASCA Published: Apr 28, 2021 11:09 AM IST

Why It's Illegal To Take Photos Of The Eiffel Tower At Night
Credit: @anthonydelanoix/Unsplash

So you’re in Paris, and of course, you want to go check out the spectacular light show put on each and every night at the Eiffel Tower. By Stacey Leasca

As you sit under the world-famous building you think to yourself, “I should snap a photo and share it on social media so I can remember this moment forever.” But wait, maybe you shouldn’t. Why? Because it’s apparently illegal to take photos of the tower at night.

That’s right. All those Instagram images, Facebook albums and Snapchats making their way across the globe showcasing the Eiffel Tower under the night stars are actually illegal. As Snopes explained, “Distributing photographs of the night-lit Eiffel Tower is a violation of the artist’s copyright.”

Indeed, the FAQ section of Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (the company which owns and operates the tower,) reads, “The views from the Eiffel Tower are rights-free. Permission and rights must be obtained from the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel for the publication of photographs of the illuminated Eiffel Tower.”

As Snopes noted, the Eiffel Tower itself is in the public domain, meaning that during the daylight hours it’s totally legal for you to take as many photos as you’d like. However, the building’s light show, which was added in 1985, is technically owned by the artist.

The Eiffel Tower’s lights, which shimmer and blink for five minutes every hour from dusk until 1 am, is attached to the building, making it virtually impossible to get a shot of the building without the lights during the magical show.

You could always take a photo of the darkened building at night, but really, what’s the fun in that?

Not surprisingly, no one has ever been brought to court over their images of the tower or the light show at night.

So go ahead, be a rule breaker and take a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night. Just don’t call us if you’re ever brought to court for it.

Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on #IndiaFightsCorona for all the latest travel guidelines.

Written By

STACEY LEASCA

STACEY LEASCA

Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

No Thanks
You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.