It’ll be the first time the tapestry has been shown in Britain since it was made almost 1000 years ago
As part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, he and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have signed a historic loan agreement to bring the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum, returning the artefact back to the UK for the first time in over 900 years.
The 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry depicts the 1066 Norman invasion and Battle of Hastings, when Willian the Conqueror took the English throne. Across 58 scenes, featuring 626 characters and 202 horses, it gives the account of one of the most significant events in British history as well as illustrating what medieval life in Normandy and England was like.
The tapestry is usually housed at the Bayeux Museum in Normandy, which is closing for a two year renovation in September of this year. The loaned tapestry will be on display at the British Museum as part of a blockbuster exhibition running from September 2026 – July 2027, alongside other loans and pieces from the Museum’s collection. As part of the loan agreement with France, a number of Anglo-Saxon treasures from the UK, including pieces from Sutton Hoo ship burial and the Lewis chess pieces, will be displayed in museums in Normandy.
Speaking about the exchange, Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: “The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world, which illustrates the deep ties between Britain and France and has fascinated people across geographies and generations. It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum and we are profoundly grateful to everyone involved. This will be the first time the Bayeux Tapestry has been in the UK since it was made, almost 1,000 years ago. We are also delighted to send treasures from the British Museum representing all four nations of the UK – including Sutton Hoo treasures and the Lewis chess pieces – to France in return.”
Key Information
Dates | September 2026 – July 2027
Address | Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
For more information | britishmuseum.org
