The Legion of Honour (National Order of the Legion of Honour; or Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur in French) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. The Legion of Honour was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and retained by all the divergent governments and regimes later holding power in France.
The Légion d’honneur is a body of men and not an order of chivalry, for Napoleon believed that France wanted a recognition of merit rather than a new system of nobility. The order’s motto is Honneur et Patrie (“Honour and Fatherland”), and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris.
Since the establishment of the Legion, the Grand Master of the order has always been the Emperor, King or President of France.
The Legion of Honor Degrees or Classes
The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand-officier, and Grand-croix.
Chevalier (Knight): The lowest rank of the Legion of Honor is awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions to French society or who have shown exceptional dedication and service to their profession. Recipients are entitled to wear the insignia badge.
Officier (Officer): The next rank is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated significant achievements or leadership in their field of expertise. Officers wear the same insignia but with a small rosette on the ribbon.
Commandeur (Commander): The third degree is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional contributions to French society, culture, or the nation. Commanders wear the same insignia with the addition of a larger rosette on the ribbon.
Grand Officier (Grand Officer): This higher degree is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments or held high-ranking positions of responsibility. Recipients wear a badge with a silver star suspended from the ribbon.
Grand Croix (Grand Cross): The highest and most prestigious degree of the Legion of Honor, this rank is reserved for heads of state, senior government officials, and individuals who have rendered exceptional services to France or humanity. Grand Cross recipients wear a badge with a silver star and a sash over the right shoulder.
The Legion of Honor Design
The badge of the Légion is a five-armed “Maltese Asterisk” in gilt (made in silver for chevalier) enameled white, with an enameled laurel and oak wreath between the arms.
The obverse of the Legion of Honour medal central disc is in gilt, featuring the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française on a blue enamel ring. The reverse central disc is also in gilt, with a set of crossed tricolores, surrounded by the Légion’s motto Honneur et Patrie (Honour and Fatherland) and its foundation date on a blue enamel ring. The badge is suspended by an enameled laurel and oak wreath.
The star (or plaque) is worn by the Grand Cross (in gilt on the left chest) and the Grand Officer (in silver on the right chest) respectively; it is similar to the badge, but without enamel, and with the wreath replaced by a cluster of rays in between each arm.
