213 years after Napoleon entrusted the famous “Bayeux Tapestry” to the people of Bayeux, the French State and the City of Bayeux have finally signed a contract making this loan official, an essential step in preparation for a major new museum which will present the 70-metre long embroidery in one piece.
Until now, the only document attesting to the “loan” was a letter dated 20 February 1804, addressed to the sub-prefect of the borough of Bayeux by the director of the Napoleon Museum (the future Louvre) Vivant Denon, in which the latter declared that Bonaparte had entrusted the 1000-year-old embroidery to the care of the locals. In 1803, Napoleon had this powerful symbol of French empire, representing the Battle of Hastings, exhibited in Paris, in order to rally support for his own planned invasion of the United Kingdom.