Legion of Honour
Legion of Honour (French: Légion d'honneur), officially known as the National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is awarded to men and women, French citizens and foreigners, for outstanding achievements in military or civilian life. The order is divided into five degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
History[edit | edit source]
The Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 May 1802 as a general military and civil order of merit. The order was the first modern order of merit, which sought to reward merit regardless of birth. Napoleon wanted to create a reward to commend civilians and soldiers who had achieved great things for France. Since its inception, the order has been the highest decoration in France.
Organization[edit | edit source]
The order is overseen by the Grand Master, a title held ex officio by the sitting President of France. The administration and management of the Legion of Honour are handled by the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honour.
Degrees[edit | edit source]
The Legion of Honour consists of five degrees:
- Chevalier (Knight)
- Officier (Officer)
- Commandeur (Commander)
- Grand Officier (Grand Officer)
- Grand Croix (Grand Cross)
Promotion to a higher degree is contingent upon a minimum period of service in the lower degree. Additionally, recipients must have continued to display the virtues and accomplishments that led to their initial decoration.
Criteria[edit | edit source]
The award is given for excellent civil or military conduct, as evidenced by a dossier of achievements. For French citizens, recipients must have a clean criminal record. Foreign nationals can also be awarded, and they do not have to meet the condition of being free of criminal convictions.
Notable Recipients[edit | edit source]
Many notable figures in history have been awarded the Legion of Honour, including military leaders, monarchs, scientists, and artists. Foreign recipients include heads of state, military officers, and cultural figures who have contributed significantly to relations with France or have achieved notable accomplishments in their fields.
Controversies[edit | edit source]
The Legion of Honour has been subject to controversies, including accusations of political patronage and the awarding of the honour to controversial figures. Despite this, it remains France's highest and most prestigious award.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Orders, decorations, and medals of France
- Military awards and decorations
- Civil awards and decorations
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