France - Etiquette regarding photos in Parisienne restaurants

After months and months of planning I'm now down to just a few more weeks before my return to Paris and am massively looking forward to the trip partly because of for the culinary experiences but had a question regarding etiquette during the meal.

Is it considered rude or gauche to snap a few pictures of the restaurant or plat principal? I'm not likely to be in a 3 Michelin star venue but more the modest bistro or small restaurant and so would expect the reaction to be a little less muted in the more informal venues but would it still draw stares from staff or other patrons? I want to remember the meal with a photo or two, nothing too obtrusive mind you and normally try to quietly ask the staff if it's okay but was curious what others here have seen or experienced on this topic.

I've already worked up a short list of local restaurants around my apartment which is metres off Champ des Mars and was reading reviews and noticed many pictures of the plated food and so was curious to ask the question.

I have friends in France - French nationals and expats who do publish pics of their meals on their blogs and I have even been in their company in the area that you will be.
So take you pics :)

i consider it very bad manners, and if it is particularly disturbing to me, i request the person be thrown out. if a flash is used, i get loud about throwing the intruder out. i paid not only for the food, but the room and the ambiance. that does not include people talking on cell phones, or people doing photos.

this idiocy seems to be a high form of art in the dc area. either they go, or i go.

i have never seen anyone taking photos in france, london, spain or italy.

i have frequently seen and expect touristos taking pics in hawaii, the Caribbean and the like.

I was chastised once for taking a picture of a beautiful tomato display at Galeries Lafayette.

Bobette

FWIW I've had varying responses while travelling elsewhere in Europe on this topic which is why I thought I'd ask.

One place I thought I'd get static was at the Cafe Sacher in Vienna but the maître d' not only encouraged taking some photos, he volunteered to a picture of me. Now, it wasn't full at that moment and that might've played a role but it wasn't the reaction I was expecting and I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm not out to make waves being the genetically polite Canadian so will see how it feels in each venue as it will no doubt vary.

i consider it very bad manners, and if it is particularly disturbing to me, i request the person be thrown out. if a flash is used, i get loud about throwing the intruder out. i paid not only for the food, but the room and the ambiance. that does not include people talking on cell phones, or people doing photos.

this idiocy seems to be a high form of art in the dc area. either they go, or i go.

i have never seen anyone taking photos in france, london, spain or italy.

i have frequently seen and expect touristos taking pics in hawaii, the Caribbean and the like.

I don't feel nearly as put out by photos as you seem to. A discreet photo doesn't take long, is often not even noticed and I enjoy seeing photos in reviews on the internet so I think I should put up with the making of the visual record too.

Cell phones are another matter. Unlike a photo, a call can be made somewhere else and benefits no one but the user. And it usually bothers an entire room.

You must walk out of a lot of restaurants-I can't imagine someone being asked to leave for either a photo or a call, though being asked to stop is another story.

I was chastised once for taking a picture of a beautiful tomato display at Galeries Lafayette.

Bobette

Galeries Lafayette has a "no photographs" policy :( - it might even be posted at the door.

Is it considered rude or gauche to snap a few pictures of the restaurant or plat principal? I'm not likely to be in a 3 Michelin star venue but more the modest bistro or small restaurant and so would expect the reaction to be a little less muted in the more informal venues but would it still draw stares from staff or other patrons? I want to remember the meal with a photo or two, nothing too obtrusive mind you and normally try to quietly ask the staff if it's okay but was curious what others here have seen or experienced on this topic.


Note that it generally won't be noticed anyway... If you are not feeling awkward to do so, I don't think you should refrain from it. Recently, smartphone apps to post reviews of restaurants from pictures of the courses have been very popular...(I guess it's part of the general trend toward more interest in food these years in the French media) I don't think anyone would object to it.

I am more ambivalent toward taking picture of the dining room, as you could upset people not wanting to be on your pics.

Anthony Bourdain might chastise you for doing it (http://www.examiner.com/article/what-s-anthony-bourdain-s-problem-with-food-bloggers) but I feel that as long as the restaurant doesn't specifically forbid it or you don't pull out your tripod and make a production of it and interfere with others, I don't see the harm. And if you need to use a flash, you're doing it wrong.

FWIW I've had varying responses while travelling elsewhere in Europe on this topic which is why I thought I'd ask.

I would personally ask the maitre d'hotel if it is acceptable.

I can see many Japonese (especially Japonese girls) taking photos of what they eat in gastronomic restaurants.

To be honest, as long as it is discreet, I do not find it is an issue (and I found it even cute when it is Japonese girls who obviously really enjoy the dish, and want to share their experience). We are living in modern times, don't we.

As more and more people have blogs (and camera with their smartphones), and as chefs are the new stars, I do think it will become a more and more common practice.

At Tickets BCN, I was seated - at the bar - next to a guy from a lifestyle magazine who wanted to take my dishes in photo (he was a bit jealous because we had the same surprise menu, but I generally had something which looked nicer...). Well, I accepted and we talked this way about restaurants he likes. It was not an issue (even if he was terribly snobbish).

Thanks all for the input. I'll see how it goes and judge the mood of the moment after asking the head waiter or maitre d'hotel if it's permitted.

Now to remember to keep my hands out of my lap and on the table but my elbows off it whilst dining at French restaurants. :D

i consider it very bad manners, and if it is particularly disturbing to me, i request the person be thrown out. if a flash is used, i get loud about throwing the intruder out. i paid not only for the food, but the room and the ambiance. that does not include people talking on cell phones, or people doing photos.

this idiocy seems to be a high form of art in the dc area. either they go, or i go.

i have never seen anyone taking photos in france, london, spain or italy.

i have frequently seen and expect touristos taking pics in hawaii, the Caribbean and the like.

I hope your post is not serious, otherwise you have a real problem :p:p.

In Europe we tend to be just natural in a restaurant. For many of us it is just normal to go to such places and if one likes to document the dishes eaten, just take these photos and relax. I do this anywhere including in 3 Michelin star restaurants where I tend to be most relaxed.

The one thing I would suggest is to avoid using the flash as this can be disturbing to other diners.

The one thing I would suggest is to avoid using the flash as this can be disturbing to other diners.

I agree with that, I never had any problems or strange looks ... :)