Bayeux Tapestry is an iconic embroidered cloth that depicts the Norman invasion in 1066 and will be loaned to the British Museum next year, marking the first time the tapestry has visited the UK for more than 900 years.
The loan is the result of an agreement between British Prime Minister Sir Kyle Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron and will see the tapestries take place in August 2026 at the British Museum. In the exchange, the British Museum will be sent from the Sutton Riverboat funeral and the 12th-century Lewis Chess to institutions of Normandy, Frances, Frances Normandy.
Like the Bayeux Tapestry, there are other objects, up to 230 feet long. According to the British Museum, it has 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses. Together they tell the story of Normandy’s conquest of England and Hastings.
It is regarded as one of the great works of the Romanesque style, filled with small images that combine to tell a huge narrative. The way the tapestry tells its narrative draws lessons for many of the subsequent artworks, including a series of historical paintings made over the centuries. It also inspired a range of contemporary artists, including Britta Marakatt-Labba, his 2003-07 tapestries History The story of the Sami people was told in a similar format.
In the British capital, the introduction of Bayeux tapestries seems to have become one of the most anticipated shows of 2026. It is foreseeable that officials have been working to make it happen for most of the past decade.
Macron first announced plans to borrow in 2018, a gesture that explicitly aims to symbolize the ongoing link between Britain and France after Brexit. At the time, Macron said the tapestries would travel to the UK in 2022.
But in 2021, a report found that tapestries were too fragile to travel, causing significant setbacks to loans. Then, in 2022, it seems like the loan may happen again, with the Victoria and Albert Museum receiving scholarships, which could have allowed London institutions to eventually showcase tapestries. However, no London Times One reveals V&A scholarship work.
But now, the loan seems to be formalized, which shows that France and the UK want to affirm their connection. Macron posted a lengthy statement on the value of the UK today on X, although he did not mention tapestries in the post. “The UK is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend,” Macron wrote. “Our bond has long been established by history and strengthened by trust.”
“This is exactly the international partnership I want us to advocate and participate in: sharing the best collections in our collection as widely as possible – in return, global audiences who have never seen in London have never seen the world’s global treasures.”
The news marks another exciting development for Bayeux tapestry enthusiasts. Earlier this year, fragments of tapestries were found in the German Archives. The clip is scheduled to travel to France this year.
