Cultural dispute over the borrowing of the Bayeux Tapestry flares up between France and Great Britain, igniting a heated cultural debate
The Bayeux Tapestry, a historical masterpiece dating back over a thousand years, will be temporarily removed from public display as its current home, the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, undergoes renovations. The tapestry, which is extremely fragile and in a state of disrepair, has been the centre of a recent storm of controversy.
The tapestry, with its 24,204 stains, 9,646 holes, and 30 tears, is a testament to the passage of time and the delicate nature of its preservation. Despite its fragility, it has been carefully preserved, with no previous transportation before restoration to avoid further damage.
Recent reports suggest that French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to lend the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum in London in September 2026. This potential loan has been a subject of discussion for some time, with institutional voices, including the Bayeux museum, DRAC, and town hall, remaining silent on the matter.
The prospect of transporting the tapestry over long distances has raised concerns among experts and the public alike. Any journey over an hour would subject the tapestry to additional risks, and a 2025 study by the culture ministry outlines precautions to be taken when transporting the Bayeux Tapestry over long distances.
A tender has been published for a study focusing on transfers of the Bayeux Tapestry over long distances, and another for a "dry run" in the UK to test "anti-vibration solutions" for the transportation. However, the details of these studies remain confidential, with the Ministry of Culture not responding to AFP's request for more information.
The potential loan has sparked a petition signed by over 71,000 people, spearheaded by Didier Rykner, editor-in-chief of the La Tribune de l'Art online news site. The petition argues that the tapestry's fragility makes it unsuitable for such a journey, and any damage would be irreversible, as warned by Aude Radosevic Mansouri.
Despite the public outcry, Philippe Bélaval, the Élysée official in charge of the loan, remains unmoved by the reaction. The controversy continues, with experts on the Bayeux Tapestry sidelined in favour of diplomatic considerations.
In a surprising turn of events, a YouTube video published by regional authorities in 2025 about the fragility of the Bayeux Tapestry was removed after Macron's announcement in July. The two-year renovation project for the tapestry, due to begin in 2025, has been indefinitely postponed.
As the date for the potential loan approaches, the fate of the Bayeux Tapestry remains uncertain, with no risk-free solutions for transporting such a delicate and irreplaceable piece of history.
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