A Historic Crossing for the Bayeux Tapestry

History & culture
LeShuttle
27 JUL 2026
2 min read

For the first time in nearly 1,000 years, the Bayeux Tapestry has crossed the English Channel. This time, one of the world's most precious cultural treasures made its journey with LeShuttle through the Channel Tunnel.

Watch the Bayeux Tapestry's historic journey from our terminal in Coquelles to Folkestone through the Channel Tunnel, supported every step of the way by Eurotunnel and LeShuttle teams.

Behind the Historic Crossing

The Bayeux Tapestry has crossed the English Channel for the first time in nearly 1,000 years, travelling from Normandy to London for its landmark exhibition at the British Museum.

Eurotunnel and LeShuttle were proud to play a central role in this exceptional operation, helping transport one of the world's most valuable cultural treasures safely and securely from France to the UK.

The transfer was made possible through seven months of planning and exemplary cooperation between cultural institutions, transport experts and public authorities on both sides of the Channel. Following extensive technical assessments, the Channel Tunnel was selected as the solution best suited to protecting the tapestry and preserving its integrity throughout the journey.

Transporting the Bayeux Tapestry on board a LeShuttle train enabled precise control of the convoy's speed and helped minimise vibrations, a key consideration when moving an object of such age and fragility. The Channel Tunnel also provided stable and secure transport conditions, avoiding the weather-related disruption and movement associated with sea crossings.

Beyond the technical achievement, the project highlights the close cooperation between France and the United Kingdom in protecting a shared cultural heritage. Nearly a millennium after the Bayeux Tapestry first linked the histories of both nations, this remarkable transfer brought the artwork temporarily back to Britain under the care of French and British experts working together to ensure its safe passage.

For Eurotunnel teams, this was far more than a transport operation. It was a unique opportunity to help reconnect two countries through a shared piece of history and to demonstrate the vital role our infrastructure continues to play in linking people, cultures and communities on both sides of the Channel.

This remarkable project will remain a landmark moment in the history of the Channel Tunnel and a source of pride for everyone involved, showcasing how our teams continue to deliver safe, reliable and innovative transport solutions for even the most extraordinary journeys.

The Bayeux Tapestry: Did You Know?

Fun facts

The Bayeux Tapestry is nearly 70 metres long and tells the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The battle saw William, Duke of Normandy, defeat King Harold of England, a moment that profoundly shaped the history of both countries.

Despite its name, the Bayeux Tapestry is actually an embroidery, stitched in wool onto linen.

Historians believe it was probably created in England before spending almost all of the last 1,000 years in Bayeux, Normandy.

The tapestry travelled through the 50km Channel Tunnel, including 37.9km beneath the seabed. The underwater section of the journey takes approximately 25 minutes.