Think Twice Before Posting That Landmark: Surprising Copyright Risks with Your Travel Photos

Are you like me, snapping photos of every stunning building, famous statue, or dazzling skyline you pass on your travels, and then sharing them on Facebook, Instagram, or your blog? It feels natural: you want to relive the memories and let your friends see where you’ve been. But did you know that posting images of specific landmarks and artworks can get you into legal trouble? It came as a surprise to me, too!

Let’s take the world’s most iconic structure as an example: the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Most of us have a daylight shot of it in our feeds, and that’s perfectly fine. But did you know that posting a photo of the Eiffel Tower illuminated at night could be breaking copyright law?

Why Day vs. Night Makes a Difference

Here’s the twist: the Eiffel Tower, built in 1889, is in the public domain. You can photograph, paint, or draw it to your heart’s content. However, the sparkling lights and illumination, added in 1985, are considered artistic work, protected by copyright. That means you technically need permission from the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel to publish nighttime photos of the tower for commercial purposes—including, arguably, monetized blogs or Instagram posts.

It’s Not Just the Eiffel Tower

This isn’t an isolated case. A surprisingly long list of buildings, sculptures, and even cityscapes around the world are protected in similar ways.

Here are just a few examples:

Atomium, Brussels: The striking steel structure built for Expo 58 is copyrighted. You can take photos for personal use, but posting or selling them publicly can require permission.

London’s The Shard: Its unique design is protected by copyright, and using images commercially is restricted.

Certain murals and street art: Artists may retain copyright, even if the work is in a public place.

Modern architecture: Many buildings constructed in the last 70 years are still under copyright in countries that don’t have a broad “freedom of panorama” law.

If you are interested in further information, I invite you to explore this link, which may provide valuable insights. Discover the resources available through the Getty Intellectual Property Wiki.

What Is “Freedom of Panorama”?

Some countries (like the UK or Germany) have “freedom of panorama” laws, which allow you to take and share photos of buildings and public art if they are visible from public spaces. Others (like France and Belgium) do not, or they have restrictions, especially for commercial use. That means sharing a photo on your monetized blog, or even Instagram if you have sponsored content, can put you in a legal gray area.

What Should Travelers and Bloggers Do?

Know the rules: Before posting, especially if you plan to monetize your photos, check the copyright situation for the landmark.

Personal use is usually fine: Most authorities will not object if you share with friends and family. But if you’re a blogger, influencer, or selling prints, tread carefully.

Ask for permission: Official websites for high-profile landmarks often have media or press contact details for usage requests.

Look for alternatives: Use daylight shots, wide views that don’t focus on the protected feature, or public domain images where available.

Conclusion

It feels counterintuitive—if you can see it, why can’t you share it? However, copyright laws are complicated and vary wildly from country to country. So next time you’re tempted to post a dazzling night shot of the Eiffel Tower, remember: you might be sharing more than just a memory; you could be crossing a legal line.

Have you ever encountered copyright issues with your travel photos? Let me know in the comments. Let’s help each other stay on the right side of the law while still sharing the beauty of the world!