The Bayeux Tapestry, which documents the Norman invasion of England in 1066, will be closed to the public in France starting Monday as opposition builds against its impending move to London.
The tapestry, nearly 1,000 years old, is set to be put on display at the British Museum in September next year. However, the French art community is vocally opposed to the transfer, with experts expressing concerns over the tapestry's delicate condition and the impact of transportation across the Channel.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously announced the loan during a meeting in London this July.
Visitor numbers at the Bayeux Museum have surged recently as preparations for the closure begin, emphasizing the significance of the tapestry to cultural heritage. A new display area for the artwork is being constructed, a project that will take at least two years to complete.
The closure will offer Macron a stage for cultural diplomacy, as France prepares to loan the tapestry to the British Museum for a year starting next September. This promise, however, has triggered outrage from many in the French art sector, culminating in a petition calling the loan a 'cultural crime,' which has amassed over 60,000 signatures.
Critics resent the way Macron made the decision to loan the tapestry without heeding the advice of specialists who warn that the vibrations from road transport could cause irreparable damage.
A French official overseeing the loan defended the transportation plans, asserting the tapestry is not too fragile to move and highlighting a recent study that offers guidelines for its handling. Nonetheless, some experts remain skeptical, citing the need for caution when it comes to preserving this historical artifact.
The tapestry will be displayed in London until July 2027, and in exchange, various treasures, including artifacts from the Anglo-Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo and the historic Lewis chess pieces, are set to travel to museums in Normandy.
Believed to have been created in Kent, the Bayeux Tapestry portrays a pivotal moment in Anglo-French relations, illustrating the Norman conquest of England, including scenes of daily life and military traditions during the medieval period.
Despite its artistry and historical significance, the tapestry remains contested ground within modern Franco-British relations, as the intricacies of cultural exchange continue to evolve amid widespread public concern.
