pam

Concerned about many posts which state that "cameras weren't allowed inside a certain museum or place" and that backpacks must be checked.<BR>Does this mean I can't "store" my camera inside my "healthy back bag" and if so, what on earth do you do with the camera? They check it for you? Ditto the Ameribag which I know many women are familiar with. Can I use this bag for the major museums in Paris?<BR>Would really appreciate any information on this.

Gretchen

I think if you walked in with a camera around your neck in one of these places they would ask you to check it with them. Your healthy back bag is more of a purse and you would probably not have to check it. They would ask you to check a backpack.

amy

Pam: Some museums have no problems with backpacks, cameras or flash photography. They are few. There is usually some type of restriction per museum. But it varies.<BR><BR>At many places, backpacks of certain sizes are checked at lockers or desks. If cameras are excluded from the museum, you lock that up with your backpack, too.<BR><BR>Some places will allow you to keep your camera, but ask "no flash photography." Those of us who have toured those dim, beautiful cathedrals with a potential serene atmosphere wish they'd just whisk all the darn cameras away--rude people insist on the flash photography anyway, even when the picture won't turn out.<BR><BR>All these rules vary from place to place, and the rules have very little to do with any country, per se. In one major European city, one famous museum allowed us to carry a large backpack around the whole time. One block away, they not only expected us to check it, they expected me to check my small purse, too. My camera went in the bin.<BR><BR>Whatever...go with the flow.

Terry

We just came back from a month trip in Italy. Some museums make you check ALL bags, purses, backpacks or otherwise. We checked our bags which had our cameras and had no problems. There is really nothing you can do about it. Those are their rules.<BR><BR>Terry

Faina

Once something really strange happened to me in a museum. I always like to take notes. In one museum I was told I can't use a ball-point pen and was asked to put it back in the purse and was given a pencil instead. Shocking!!<BR><BR>Sorry it was not in Europe, just your posts reminded me that something more weird then "no cameras" can happen.<BR><BR>Where was it? SFMOMA- San Francisco museum of modern art. Don't beleive me? I am serious! They have it printed on their museum maps - I just did not read the fine print.

xxx

Pam, I had a shoulder bag with a flap and not one museum in Paris made me check it (we went to the Orsay, Rodin, Louvre and others). At the Louvre they went through it, but I got to carry it around with me. If your backpack is too big you might want to consider leaving it at the hotel and buying a cheap canvas shoulder back to carry around books/water bottle and other little things in.

Howard

You must check your backpack at the Louvre. However, they will not let you check any valuables, so you must carry your camera with you!<BR>Many other Paris museums have similar policies about both. Very few ban picture taking, though many won't allow the use of flash. (Still, some obnoxious tourists ignore the ban!)

kate

In London,years ago,we had to check our bags, before going into the museums. when in the Wallace Collection they searched my bag,then gave it back to me.<BR>My camera was in the bag, and that is where it stayed!

Joanne

Pam: It truly is a mixed bag (no pun intended). Just read xxx's post about carrying water, etc. At the Prado I was allowed my purse and my husband a backpack like bag he carries over one shoulder, but we could not take our water--had to check it.<BR><BR>Just visited the Uffizi and Accademia earlier this month and my HUGE travel purse/tote was examined but I was allowed to keep it. No photography allowed in either museum. <BR><BR>Took lots of snapshots at the Dorsay last year and was furious when a guard approached me and warned me about using flash. I was one of very few who DIDN'T use flash! I also took pictures at the Louvre several years ago.<BR><BR>It's really little inconvenience for the wonderful things you see in all the museums. <BR><BR>j<BR><BR>

Sue

Pam, I just took my Ameribag (large) into the Louvre with camera inside. (I think I had a small purse at the Orsay.) But I had to check it at Nissim da Camondo, so I took my wallet out. Probably had water in there too. I have carried the medium sized one before and I don't think I've ever had to check it. I don't think they bother cameras.

Joyce

Museums are becoming increasingly security-conscious. <BR><BR>I just returned from Spain, and some museums there insisted on putting my camera through their scanners. When I asked for my camera to be manually inspected (instead of being put through the scanners), my requests were refused.<BR><BR>