How to Film at the Eiffel Tower: The Complete Guide for Film Professionals
Filming with Delta Air Lines at the Trocadéro, in front of the Eiffel Tower, August 2023
Céline Dion, rap duo PNL, Rush Hour 3… they all did it. Filming at the Eiffel Tower is every filmmaker's dream, but the permissions process is more layered than most productions expect. As location managers specialising in high-end shoots in Paris, here's everything you need to know before you call action.
Step 1
Who to contact first
Your first call is the SETE (Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), the official body managing all commercial and audiovisual productions at the tower. Their Film and Image Unit handles everything from on-site shoots to image rights requests when the illuminated tower appears in your project. Every request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Step 2
Where you can actually film
More is available than most productions realise. You can film in the forecourt, on the floors, and in certain areas not open to the public. For premium shoots, iconic private spaces - the Madame Brasserie, the Jules Verne restaurant, the Pavillon Ferrié, and the Gustave Eiffel Room - can be reserved exclusively. The tower's silhouette is also capturable from dozens of spots across the city.
Step 3
Timing your shoot
Filming takes place outside public hours. Daytime shoots run before the monument opens, typically 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Night shoots begin after closing, from 11:45 PM (or 12:45 AM in certain periods). Exact windows vary by season, so plan well in advance.
Step 4
The lighting copyright — the detail most productions miss
This is where it gets expensive if you get it wrong. Daytime images of the Eiffel Tower are in the public domain and free to use. But the tower's nighttime illuminations are protected by copyright, from the golden glow to the twinkling lights, the beacon, and event lighting . The light show was designed by lighting engineer Pierre Bideau in 1985 and is legally considered an artistic installation. Following Bideau's death in 2021, protection extends until at least 2091.
This is why Rush Hour 3 almost certainly paid a fee to capture the lit tower, and why Midnight in Paris carefully avoided showing the Eiffel Tower at night. It's wasn’t an artistic choice, but a budget decision. Any commercial use requires prior SETE permission, payment of fees, and appropriate image credit. Non-compliance risks legal action and fines.
Step 5
The trademark angle
The Eiffel Tower name and image are also subject to trademark rights. Any product, merchandise, packaging, or branded commercial use beyond the film itself, will require a separate licensing agreement negotiated independently from your production permit.
Step 6
Thinking about drones?
Aerial shots over the tower look spectacular on screen, but almost all of central Paris is a no-fly zone, including the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings. Professional drone filming may be authorised, but requires a special application to the DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile). Build in significant lead time, and always work with a certified local drone operator.
Step 7
Police & city permits
Public location shoots around Paris require permits from both the City of Paris and the Préfecture de Police (or police alone for smaller shoots). Night shoots can actually simplify logistics. With the tower closed, crowd management at one of Paris's busiest sites is considerably easier. That said, allow extra lead time for anything affecting regular public access.
The checklist
Full checklist for filming at the Eiffel Tower :
SETE approval (Film & Image Unit)
City of Paris permit
Préfecture de Police authorisation
Night lighting copyright clearance
Trademark licence (if applicable)
DGAC drone authorisation (if applicable)
Production insurance covering the location
Ready to make it happen?
Whether you're planning a feature film, commercial, music video, or branded content shoot in Paris, the permissions process is layered, but absolutely achievable with the right local partner.
+33 6 22 99 43 50
Filming with CBC News in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, July 2024