One of the world’s most valuable cultural treasures has left France.
Now the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry will return to British soil – for the first time in a thousand years.
– It feels fantastic, says British Museum director Nick Cullinan to the BBC.
It was created nearly 1,000 years ago and now the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry has returned to England.
The 70-metre-long embroidery was transported overnight from France to the British Museum in London, where it will be on public display from September.
Made in the 11th century, the tapestry consists of 58 scenes depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
British Museum director Nick Cullinan in front of one of the trucks with the wallpaper that just arrived from France. Photo: Kwiyeon Ha /AP/TT
“Something extraordinary”
A major security effort has surrounded the arrival of the work of art.
The custom-built transport box, enclosed by an aluminum frame, was unloaded at the museum in front of a few invited guests, including the French ambassador to the UK.
– We have just witnessed something extraordinary. The Bayeux Tapestry is returning to England for the first time in nearly a thousand years, and it feels fantastic to be a part of it, British Museum director Nick Cullinan told the BBC.
But embroidery isn’t back for good. It is for visitors only and will be on loan to the museum for nine months following an agreement between French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
At X, French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the wallpaper’s journey across the English Channel.
“The Bayeux Tapestry has now left for London. This millennial treasure, telling our shared history, is now crossing the Channel. Thanks to all the teams who made this historic gesture of trust, culture and friendship possible.” he wrote.
Experts ready at the Bayeux Museum in France for the 70 meter long tapestry to be packed away. Photo: Lou Benoist/AP
The criticism: “Breach of cultural heritage”
That the artwork is leaving France right now is said to be largely due to the fact that the museum in Bayeux in Normandy, where it has been since 1983, is currently closed for renovation.
However, the decision to move the delicate embroidery has sparked debate in France. Critics have warned of the risks of the transport and a petition against the lending described the whole thing as a “crime against cultural heritage”.
The exhibition is expected to be one of the British Museum’s biggest public successes in many years.
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