Lois Larson
Paris is a popular filming location, known for its fashion, class, beauty, food, art, and culture. However, there are several rules and regulations regarding filming in the city, especially in airports. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) has a reputation for being unaccommodating to photographers due to its strict security procedures and use of CT scanners and X-rays, which can damage film. To avoid such damage, photographers may opt to get their film hand-checked, developed before returning to the US, or mailed home. When filming in Paris, permissions and permits are generally required, especially for filming in public spaces, private property, and certain landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
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What You'll Learn
Filming with a crew of 10 or more people
In addition to the Police Prefecture permit, since many buildings in Paris are owned by the City of Paris or under the responsibility of the Culture and Communications Ministry, you must obtain other permits. For sites administered by the Culture Ministry, contact the monuments' managers or, if multiple sites are involved, contact the Centre des monuments nationaux. In general, you should contact the Press Office in the Town Hall of the city where filming will take place.
Filming in parks, gardens, squares, or the grounds of public monuments will require a permit. Permits are not centralized, so a fixer or location manager is recommended when there are many permits needed. If you plan to film the Eiffel Tower at night, you must pay for the rights to broadcast the sparkling champagne lights that bubble up 10 minutes before the hour.
If you are a journalist from outside the EU, importing press equipment is subject to a request for temporary admission, which should be submitted to customs authorities at your point of entry, port, or airport upon arrival in the EU. This process can be undertaken with the help of your originating country's embassy, and it is usually simple and fast (around one week).
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Filming in parks
If you are filming in the Luxembourg Gardens, permission from the Questure of the Senate is required.
In general, it is a good idea to be mindful of image rights and copyrights, and to avoid filming car license plates. It is also recommended to be aware of any potential radio mike interference, especially around the Eiffel Tower.
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Importing film equipment
When importing film equipment, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially when it comes to airport security and potential damage to your equipment and film. Here are some tips and suggestions to consider:
- Airport Security and Film Safety: Be prepared for airport security checks, as they may impact your film and equipment. While some travellers have reported no issues with hand-checking film at Paris airports, others have shared negative experiences, particularly at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). International airport X-ray scanners are often considered film-safe, but CT scanners can damage film. To avoid potential issues, consider requesting a hand check for your film or using lead-lined bags to protect it from scanners. However, be aware that hand checks may be less available in Europe than in the US, and language barriers may also play a role.
- Developing Film: Consider developing your film before returning to the US or using a lab in Paris to minimise the risk of scanner damage. Alternatively, you can mail your film home or opt for digital photography to avoid the risk of damage altogether.
- Equipment Rental Services: Instead of importing all your equipment, consider using local rental services in Paris and the surrounding areas. Companies like Nice Film Industry (NFI) and French Production Service offer a wide range of film, TV, and photography equipment for rent, including cameras, tripods, lighting, and other production gear. These companies also provide delivery and personalised services to meet your specific needs.
- Language and Official Procedures: It is helpful to have a printed version of the airport's rules and requirements, which can usually be found on their official website. Having this information readily available can assist in overcoming language barriers and ensuring a smoother process when dealing with airport authorities.
- Travel with Slower-Speed Film: When travelling with analog cameras, consider bringing slower-speed film, which is less likely to be affected by scanning. This can reduce the risk of fogging or other damage to your film during security checks.
By following these suggestions, you can better navigate the process of importing film equipment and ensure a more positive experience when filming at Paris airports.
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Filming in the street
In addition to the Police Prefecture permit, since many buildings in Paris are owned by the City of Paris or under the responsibility of the Culture and Communications Ministry, you must obtain other permits for filming certain locations. For sites administered by the Culture Ministry, contact the monuments' managers, or, if multiple sites are involved, contact the Centre des monuments nationaux. In general, you should also contact the Press Office in the Town Hall of the city where filming will take place.
There are some additional considerations to keep in mind when filming in the streets of Paris. For example, any park, garden, square, or grounds of a public monument will require a permit. Tripods are also theoretically not permitted in parks without permission. When filming in public spaces, it is important to avoid filming car license plates and to be mindful of image rights and copyrights. Radio mikes, especially around the Eiffel Tower, can be subject to interference, so it is recommended to prepare accordingly. Lastly, Paris is known for its unpredictable traffic, so it is advised to use resources such as Mission Cinema- Paris Film to identify areas to avoid and navigate limited parking spaces.
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Image rights and copyrights
Filming in Paris requires careful consideration of image rights and copyrights. While you can film on public right of way without a permit as long as your crew is fewer than ten people and you don't have heavy equipment, you still need to be mindful of image rights and copyrights. For example, the sparkling champagne lights on the Eiffel Tower at night cannot be broadcast without paying for the rights. This is the only time the Eiffel Tower is subject to image rights.
If you plan to film in the street and have a larger crew of more than ten people, you will need a permit from the Police Headquarters. Any park, garden, square, or grounds of a public monument will also require a permit. Permits are not centralized, so it's recommended to hire a fixer or location manager to navigate the process.
If you are filming outside in the streets of Paris, you must obtain a permit from the Paris Police Prefecture. The permit application process involves submitting the relevant forms and information to the Police Prefecture, and the timeframe for delivery depends on the number of participants. For a crew of up to ten people filming before 11 pm, no permit is required. However, for larger crews or filming at night after 11 pm, the normal procedure requires a period of three weeks.
It's important to note that buildings owned by the City of Paris or under the responsibility of the Culture and Communications Ministry require additional permits. You should contact the Press Office in the Town Hall of the city where filming will take place. For sites administered by the Culture Ministry, you need to reach out to the monument's managers or the Centre des monuments nationaux.
If you are a journalist from outside the EU, importing press equipment, including filming equipment, is subject to a request for temporary admission. This request should be submitted to the customs authorities upon arrival in the EU, and it's recommended to seek assistance from your country's embassy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need a permit from the Paris Police Prefecture to film outside in the streets of Paris. If your crew has less than 10 people, you do not need a permit from the Paris Film Office, but you may still need one from the Police Headquarters.
You can obtain a filming permit by filing an application at the Paris Police Prefecture. Formalities and timeframes for delivery depend on the number of participants. Filming with fewer than 10 people and before 11 pm does not require a permit. Filming with more than 10 people or at night after 11 pm requires a normal procedure with a period of 3 weeks.
Yes, there are some restrictions on filming in Paris. Any park, garden, square, or grounds of a public monument will require a permit. Additionally, you must obtain permission from the owners of private property and the people being filmed. Image rights and copyrights must also be considered.
Yes, there are a few other considerations for filming in Paris. Traffic and parking can be difficult, so it is important to plan ahead and allow for enough time to reach your filming location. Radio mikes may also be subject to interference, especially around the Eiffel Tower.
