The Louvre, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum allow personal photography with limits on tripods, flash or extra lighting, and the Rijksmuseum bans it in its exhibition wing.1234 In Tokyo, the National Museum bans it in some rooms, and the National Art Center generally prohibits photographing exhibited works.56
What do the European museums allow?
This is not legal advice. Rules change; check with the authority named.
| Museum | Personal photos | Not allowed | Also note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louvre, Paris | Photos and videos in the permanent collections, for personal use | Selfie sticks, flash or lighting | In temporary exhibitions, photos or videos of certain works may be prohibited1 |
| Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam | Photos and filming allowed with a valid ticket, if they do not inconvenience other visitors | Tripods and additional lighting; no photos in the exhibition wing or the Cuypers Library | Photos and filming in the free gardens are for private use only2 |
| Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam | Photography allowed; photos for personal, non-commercial use only | Flash, lamps, tripods and selfie sticks; filming or making videos without the museum's explicit permission | Consider other visitors and their privacy, and do not endanger the art3 |
| Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna | Filming and photography for personal use | Tripods, flash and any additional light source; selfie sticks must be left at the cloakroom | The museum may forbid photography completely from time to time; commercial or academic shoots need its permission4 |
The Rijksmuseum puts it simply: Photos may be taken in the public areas of the museum.
2 The Louvre's rule is that you can take photos and videos in the permanent collections if they are for personal use.
1
What do the Tokyo museums allow?
| Museum | Personal photos | Not allowed | Also note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo National Museum | Not allowed on the second floor of the Heiseikan, or of any object marked with a no-photography sign; the museum sets the rules for other rooms | Flashlights, additional lighting, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks | Make sure camera sounds do not disturb other visitors5 |
| National Art Center, Tokyo | Photographing the exhibited works is generally prohibited, because of contracts with lenders and artists | Tripods, monopods or drones inside or outside the building; photos or video for commercial purposes | Any photos taken are for private use only, at your own responsibility6 |
Why aren't other big museums here?
We include a museum only when we could save a copy of its own published rules. The official websites of the Museo del Prado and the Musée d'Orsay refused our automated requests when we checked, so they are left out; check their websites before you go.
This is not legal advice. Rules change; check with the authority named.
What this page cannot tell you
- Rules change. Museums change photo rules, especially for temporary exhibitions. Check the museum's page and signs on the day.
- Six museums only. This is not a list of every museum's policy, and other rooms or exhibitions may differ.
- Not legal advice. These are the museums' own house rules as published; staff instructions on the spot apply.
Related: What the law says about photographing people · Shrine and temple photo rules in Japan.
Key takeaways
- Leave the tripod and selfie stick behind: every museum here restricts one or both.
- Flash is out at the Louvre, the Van Gogh Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
- Photos are generally for personal use only; commercial shoots need the museum's permission.
- What we would skip: assuming a temporary exhibition follows the permanent collection's rules; the Louvre says it may not.
Sources
Each rule comes from the museum's own website, saved on the date shown. We did not use ticket resellers or third-party guides. See how we research.
- Musée du Louvre, Museum rules (undated page). Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
- Rijksmuseum, Filming and photographing. Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
- Van Gogh Museum, House rules. Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, House rules. Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
- Tokyo National Museum, Photograph and Other Guidelines. Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
- The National Art Center, Tokyo, FAQ (Photography). Read it. Accessed 24 September 2026. Summarised and briefly quoted; the museum does not endorse this page.
Changes made. We summarised each museum's published rules in our own words, with short quotations, and put them in one table. No museum endorses this page.