For the first time in over 40 years, the Bayeux Tapestry will be removed from its display as part of an ambitious conservation and museum redevelopment project. The 11th-century masterpiece, which has drawn record numbers of visitors, will undergo extensive preservation efforts beginning this year. The project will also pave the way for the expansion of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, with a modernized exhibition space set to open in 2027.
A Medieval Treasure in Need of Restoration
Listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register and classified as a historic monument since 1840, the Bayeux Tapestry has withstood centuries of handling and environmental exposure. However, a 2020 condition report revealed various forms of deterioration, including holes, stains, folds, and tears, due to past conservation methods and exhibition conditions that did not fully meet modern textile preservation standards. To ensure its long-term survival, a comprehensive conservation program began last month.
Key Phases of the 2025 Conservation Effort
The conservation and relocation process will unfold in multiple stages:
January 2025 – The tapestry’s protective fleece backing, installed in 1983, will be removed. While intended to support the fabric, it has stiffened and weighed down the canvas over time. A full dusting will also be performed to remove impurities and minimize further deterioration.
March-April 2025 – A logistical test will take place from March 31 to April 2, using a facsimile of the tapestry. This exercise will simulate the handling, packaging, and transport of the original textile, ensuring a safe and controlled process when the actual move takes place.
Spring-Summer 2025 – Archaeological excavations will be conducted at the museum site, which was formerly the Grand Seminary of Bayeux. These excavations aim to enhance understanding of the area’s history while preparing the site for the museum’s redevelopment.
September 2025 – The Bayeux Tapestry will be carefully transferred to a temporary storage facility, where it will be monitored using advanced environmental sensors. The textile will remain in controlled conditions until its reinstallation in 2027.
A Final Opportunity to View the Tapestry Before 2027
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum has seen unprecedented visitor numbers, with 430,000 people viewing the historic artifact in 2024 alone. As interest in the tapestry remains strong, museum officials anticipate a surge in visitors in 2025, as it will be the last chance to see the artifact before the museum closes for renovations on August 31, 2025.
Loïc Jamin, Deputy Mayor of Bayeux in charge of museums and heritage, commented on the upcoming changes:
After more than 40 years without moving from its glass exhibition gallery, the Bayeux Tapestry truly deserves to be taken care of! Starting this year, we will begin writing a new chapter in its long history. From September 1, the current museum will close for two years of work as part of an ambitious redevelopment project. We expect a surge of interest in visiting the museum in 2025, just to see the millennium-old embroidery one last time before its exhibition at the end of 2027 in its new setting.
A State-of-the-Art Future for a Medieval Masterpiece
The museum’s redevelopment aims to create an exhibition space worthy of the tapestry’s status as a world heritage treasure. The newly designed gallery, developed by conservation specialists, will feature an advanced display case and environmental controls to ensure long-term preservation.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum, under curator Antoine Verney, remains dedicated to safeguarding this irreplaceable piece of medieval history. With conservation experts leading the restoration, the project will ensure that future generations can continue to experience this extraordinary artifact when it returns in October 2027.
For the first time in over 40 years, the Bayeux Tapestry will be removed from its display as part of an ambitious conservation and museum redevelopment project. The 11th-century masterpiece, which has drawn record numbers of visitors, will undergo extensive preservation efforts beginning this year. The project will also pave the way for the expansion of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, with a modernized exhibition space set to open in 2027.
A Medieval Treasure in Need of Restoration
Listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register and classified as a historic monument since 1840, the Bayeux Tapestry has withstood centuries of handling and environmental exposure. However, a 2020 condition report revealed various forms of deterioration, including holes, stains, folds, and tears, due to past conservation methods and exhibition conditions that did not fully meet modern textile preservation standards. To ensure its long-term survival, a comprehensive conservation program began last month.
Key Phases of the 2025 Conservation Effort
The conservation and relocation process will unfold in multiple stages:
A Final Opportunity to View the Tapestry Before 2027
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum has seen unprecedented visitor numbers, with 430,000 people viewing the historic artifact in 2024 alone. As interest in the tapestry remains strong, museum officials anticipate a surge in visitors in 2025, as it will be the last chance to see the artifact before the museum closes for renovations on August 31, 2025.
Loïc Jamin, Deputy Mayor of Bayeux in charge of museums and heritage, commented on the upcoming changes:
After more than 40 years without moving from its glass exhibition gallery, the Bayeux Tapestry truly deserves to be taken care of! Starting this year, we will begin writing a new chapter in its long history. From September 1, the current museum will close for two years of work as part of an ambitious redevelopment project. We expect a surge of interest in visiting the museum in 2025, just to see the millennium-old embroidery one last time before its exhibition at the end of 2027 in its new setting.
A State-of-the-Art Future for a Medieval Masterpiece
The museum’s redevelopment aims to create an exhibition space worthy of the tapestry’s status as a world heritage treasure. The newly designed gallery, developed by conservation specialists, will feature an advanced display case and environmental controls to ensure long-term preservation.
The Bayeux Tapestry Museum, under curator Antoine Verney, remains dedicated to safeguarding this irreplaceable piece of medieval history. With conservation experts leading the restoration, the project will ensure that future generations can continue to experience this extraordinary artifact when it returns in October 2027.
Top Image: Courtesy French Ministry of Culture
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