Bayeux Tapestry: The Council of State rejects the appeal against its loan to the British Museum

The legal avenue is now closed. The Council of State rejected on Friday, June 5th, the request from the Sites and Monuments association, which sought to overturn the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum in London. France's highest administrative court declared itself "not competent to rule" on the case, considering the loan, announced on July 8, 2025 by Emmanuel Macron During a state visit to the United Kingdom, he stated that he "cannot be separated from the conduct of France's international relations." The 45th-century embroidery, 70 meters long, is scheduled to be exhibited in London for a year starting in September. An online petition against the loan had gathered 000 signatures by July 2025.

High-risk transport, a crate designed to absorb 96% of shocks

The association was relying on the concerns of several experts regarding the risks of long-distance transport for this embroidery, which has been weakened by age. Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard assured everyone on Wednesday, June 3, that "nothing has been left to chance" for its shipment. The tapestry will travel on a date kept secret in a crate specially designed to absorb vibrations, capable, according to a technical study by the Ministry, of absorbing "96% of the force of a significant shock" over the entire journey—following a second test trip carried out in April. "Zero risk does not exist," the Minister acknowledged, however.