French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit the British Museum in London this Wednesday to view the Bayeux Tapestry, a historic artifact that will be on loan from France. The tapestry, nearly 1,000 years old and listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World register, will be on public display from September 10, 2026, to July 11, 2027. It is believed to have been commissioned by Bishop Odon in 1077 to adorn the Bayeux cathedral. The artwork vividly depicts the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror, with scenes embroidered in wool threads. While the identities of the artisans remain unknown, some experts suggest they were English embroiderers influenced by manuscripts from Canterbury. The Bayeux Tapestry is an impressive 68.3 meters long, 50 cm wide, and weighs 350 kg, made up of nine linen panels. It features around 626 characters and 202 horses in 58 distinct scenes. This loan marks the first time the tapestry will be displayed laid flat, rather than rolled. Previous attempts to loan it were made in 1953 and 1966 but were unsuccessful. It had been displayed at the Louvre in Paris in 1803-1804 and again in 1944 as a tribute to Anglo-American troops during World War II. British Museum president George Osborne has called the exhibition "the event of our generation," suggesting it could attract more visitors than the 1972 Tutankhamun exhibition. The museum's website experienced high traffic after the sale of the first tickets, and the ticket office is already fully booked until December 31. Additional tickets will be available for purchase on October 21. The loan required extensive preparation, including a special anti-vibration case to protect the delicate artwork. The British Museum is covering the cost of the loan, estimated at 5 million pounds (5.8 million euros), a record for the institution. The exhibition is sponsored by Igor Tulchinsky, CEO of WorldQuant. A bilateral agreement between London and Paris states that the UK will compensate France up to 800 million pounds (920 million euros) if the tapestry suffers significant damage. Tickets for the exhibition will range from 25 to 33 pounds (28 to 38 euros), with free entry for those under 16. Previously, the tapestry cost 12 euros to view in Bayeux, France. To help offset costs, the museum is organizing events such as a conference with curators and an embroidery workshop.