The Bayeux Tapestry, which documents the Norman invasion of England in 1066, will be closed to the public in France from Monday as opposition mounts ahead of its move to London, reports the BBC.
The next time it will be possible to see the nearly 1,000-year-old work of art should be when it goes on display at the British Museum in September next year.
However, the French art world is fiercely opposed to the project, with experts fearing the 70m-long (230ft) masterpiece is in far too delicate a state to be transported across the Channel.
French president Emmanuel Macron and prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the loan when they met in London in July.
The last few weeks have seen a big rise in visitor numbers at the Bayeux Museum ahead of its closure from 1 September.
A new display area is being built for the tapestry, which will take at least two years.