The famous embroidery is expected to be visited by 7.5 million people while it is on loan to the British Museum
French President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Britain to continue to "join forces" with France as the Bayeux Tapestry arrives in the UK.
The almost 1,000 year old embroidered cloth arrived at the British museum in the middle of the night from France, who are loaning the tapestry to Britain.
Mr Macron said the loan is evidence of what the two countries "can achieve when they join forces" and a "tangible expression of long-standing friendship".
It is estimated roughly 7.5 million people will head to the British Museum in London to see the tapestry, which will be showing from September to July next year.
Writing in the Times, Mr Macron said: "This is what our partnership must continue to embody.
"Faced with the major challenges of our time – the security of our continent, technological sovereignty, innovation, energy and decarbonisation, and the resilience of our democracies – we have chosen to act together."
The embroidery depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066, widely believed to have been made in England.
Mr Macron first announced in 2018 the Bayeux Tapestry would be loaned to Britain for public display.
An initial exhibition was planned at the British Museum in 2022, but this never materialised.
During a visit to the UK last year, the French President confirmed the embroidery would be coming to London from September 2026 to July 2027.
The deal was brokered in exchange for items including pieces from the Sutton Hoo site, the Lewis chessmen or the Battersea Shield being loans to museums in France.
This the first time the tapestry is returning to England since its creation.
Mr Macron wrote on X in the early hours of this morning: "The Bayeux Tapestry has set off for London. This millennia-old treasure that recounts our shared history is crossing the Channel.
"Thanks to the teams who made this historic gesture of trust, culture, and friendship possible.
There was opposition to the loan, with French art historian Didier Rykner launching a petition to block the loan on the grounds that transporting the ancient work could damage its fabric.
The tapestry was removed from its museum in Normandy in September 2025 for the first time since 1983 as preparations for the loan got under way.
Former Chancellor George Osborne posted on X in the early hours of this morning confirming the tapestry had arrived at the British museum.
He wrote at 4.24am: "I can confirm that The Bayeux Tapestry has just arrived safely and securely at the British Museum."
The French President said the two nations understand their differences, but also "their natural affinity and what they can achieve when they join forced".
Mr Macron continued: "The Bayeux Tapestry is an unfinished story. Its conclusion eludes us; its final scene does not bring the story to a close.
"Perhaps that is where its most contemporary strength lies. It is our job to write the next chapter, in a spirit of respect, trust and renewed alliance."
