When Are Photos Allowed?

That is an impossible question to answer. I can remember lots of time when photos were forbidden -- just don't remember where. Most of the time it is clearly posted and when it is not someone will tell you. Just be respectful and don't assume that an Am tourist has the right to take any picture, anywhere, anytime !!!

There's no uniform policy, not surprisingly. If you know in advance where you'll be going, you'll have to find out on a case by case basis. And some places that used to allow photos don't anymore. (My mother was showing me some photos she took of David at the Accademia in Florence back in 2000. But three years later when I was there, no photos were allowed.)

Lamont, photos without flash are often permitted inside Churches (I took some in Siena). Art Galleries are especially strict about no flash, as the light will degrade priceless works of art. Tripods are banned in most interior locations.

I can't recall the specifics of each site, but one location where photos are definitely banned is the Borghese Gallery in Rome. If you visit, you'll be required to check just about everything, including purses and backpacks. "Cheating" is out of the question as there are attendants in each room, and of course also ubiquitous CCTV Cameras.

Sometimes rules can change. When I was in Paris last year, photos in the Italian wing of the Louvre (Mona Lisa) were expressly forbidden. However, I spoke with someone that visited recently and was told they took numerous photos. As there are always Museum staff nearby, I'm assuming that the restriction has been lifted?

You will find out the rules as you visit each site.

Happy travels!

BG, that's exactly the scenario the other traveller described to me - several people each trying to get pictures of themselves in various poses in front of the Mona Lisa. Apparently none of the staff said anything at all, or even made an effort to approach them?

I didn't even TRY to take a picture in areas this was prohibited. I guess I'm just to conditioned to following the rules? I also felt that it would be a humiliating experience to be escorted out of a Museum for breaking well posted rules. I'm sure that would affect my memories of the sight.

Cheers!

Most museums will not let you take photos - flash or no flash. Two where we could are the Bargello and the Duomo Museum - both in Florence. We saw somebody almost tackeled for taking a picture of "David". Strangely, many museums make you check your bags before entry but they let you keep your camera - even out of the case. We saw many many people taking pictures where they were not supposed to. We were able to take pictures in the il Duomo in Florence but it was really dark in there. We were also able to take pictures in the Basilicas in Siena and Assisi. I think that we could even use flash in some areas. As mentioned above, it's usually posted.

I have been to the Louvre several times and never was unable to take a picture of the Mona Lisa. It's posted that you cannot, and guards are all around, but I guess they can't prevent it, so have just given way to the tide of humanity. Of course we all know that the jostling crowd -- all trying to get a picture of themselves in front of the painting drastically impacts the viewing experience.

For Rome, you can take pictures (no flash) in: Vatican Museum (but NOT the Sistine Chapel), St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peters-in-Chains, Capitoline Museum, Pantheon. You cannot even take your camera into the Borgehese Gallery as someone else mentioned. Outside of the city you cannot take pictures in the Catacombs.

I found Florence to be much more strict: no pictures in the Uffizi (though I was able to take a beautiful picture of the city through the window of the Uffizi without any trouble) or Accademia. No pictures at the St. Maria Novella church. Pictures in the Duomo and bapistry were allowed.

Generally there were clearly posted signs at the museums that indicated when no photographs were allowed.

When we were at the Louvre 12 months ago it was well signposted and the guards were there, but people were going made sneaking photos - partcularly using small or camera phones. I found it all a bit much.

As Ken posted you'd hate to be escorted out of wherever. I got into an argument at the Ufizzi, because one of the staff believed I touched a statue. I was pointing out to my husband the detailed carving of the foot of one statue and admittedly I was pointing very closely, but I wasn't touching. When I tried to explain I wasn't touching I got a lecture about needing to respect the artworks. It upset my visit, and I hadn't even done anything wrong. Additionally, I didn't see any signs saying you couldn't touch and nothing was roped off!