France's famous medieval masterpiece to close to public for two years

The Bayeux Tapestry, a 1,000-year-old masterpiece depicting the 1066 Norman conquest of England, will undergo major restoration, with its museum closing from August 31, 2025, to October 2027. Commissioned by Odo, bishop of Bayeux, the tapestry has...

By ET Online | Feb 22, 2025, 03.15 PM IST

(Picture credits: The Bayeux Tapestry website)

The Bayeux Tapestry, one of history’s most remarkable depictions of conflict, is set to undergo a major renovation, with its museum closing from August 31, 2025, until October 2027. This nearly 1,000-year-old masterpiece, spanning 70 meters (224 feet), narrates the 1066 Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror.

Believed to have been commissioned by Odo, bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother, the tapestry has been on display at the Grand Seminary of Bayeux in France since 1983. The upcoming renovation aligns with the millennium celebration of William’s birth and aims to preserve this delicate textile for future generations.

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The €38 million ($36 million) project, led by the City of Bayeux and the French government, will see the museum expand with a modern exhibition space designed by British architectural firm RSHP. The tapestry will be housed in a hermetically sealed room with an inclined display, ensuring optimal conservation conditions.

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Before restoration begins, experts have already started dusting the linen canvas and removing its fleece backing. The delicate embroidery, stitched with plant-dyed wool threads, has largely retained its original colors, though sections restored in the 19th century have faded significantly.

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Attracting nearly 600,000 visitors annually, the tapestry remains a major draw, particularly for tourists from the UK and the US. Its most famous scenes include the death of England’s last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold, and a depiction of Halley’s Comet centuries before it was named.

While the Bayeux Tapestry is temporarily removed from display, another major French attraction, Paris’ Centre Pompidou, will also close for extensive renovations in late 2025. Both projects reflect France’s commitment to preserving cultural treasures for future generations.

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