The Council of State rejects the appeal of an association after the announcement of the loan of the Bayeux tapestry to the United Kingdom

The Council of State rejected the request from a heritage defense association calling for the cancellation of the loan of the Bayeux tapestry from France to the United Kingdom, considering that it was not “not competent to comment”in a decision rendered Friday June 5.

The Sites and Monuments association had appealed to the administrative judge to contest the announcement made on July 8, 2025 by President Emmanuel Macron of the loan of this 11th century masterpiece to the British Museum in London, where it is to be exhibited for a year from September. It considered that the state of conservation of the tapestry did not allow it to be moved.

“This loan was announced during a state visit to the United Kingdom, as part of a declaration relating to the strengthening of Franco-British bilateral relations”recalls the Council of State in a press release, judging that “its diplomatic, symbolic and historical character does not allow it to be detached from the conduct of France’s international relations.”

“The administrative judge is therefore not competent to rule on its legalityhe adds. For this reason, (he) rejects the association’s appeal.”

Historically, the highest administrative court does not interfere in France’s international relations. Several experts have warned of the risks of long-term transport of this embroidery, 70 meters long and weakened over the years.

Wednesday June 3, the Minister of Culture, Catherine Pégard, assured that “nothing was left to chance” regarding its transport to London. The tapestry will travel, on an undisclosed date, to the British Museum in a crate specially designed to dampen vibrations.

According to a technical study published by the ministry, following a second dry run carried out in April, this fund makes it possible to absorb “96% of the force of a shock” important throughout the journey. The conclusions of this study amount to giving a green light to the transport of the tapestry, even if “zero risk does not exist”a estimé Catherine Pégard.

An online petition against the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum had collected 45,000 signatures in July 2025.