Legion of Honor

Verified 26 September 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The Legion of Honor is the first national order to honor French citizens. You want to know what the conditions are to obtain it, if you can ask for it for yourself, how the ceremony is going, if it can be withdrawn,...? We present you with the information you need to know.

The Legion of Honor is the first national order to honor French citizens. It's the highest distinction. It rewards the eminent merits acquired in the title of the Nation either in a civil capacity or in arms.

The Legion of Honor consists of:

  • 3 grades (knights, officers, commanders)
  • and 2 dignities (grand officers and grand crosses).

FYI  

You can't ask for the Legion of Honor for yourself. You must be nominated by someone else.

The Legion of Honor includes 5 steps.

They are awarded progressively based on seniority, merit and service.

The 5 grades (lowest to highest) are as follows:

  • Knight: assigned after 20 years of distinguished service or following exceptional acts of bravery
  • Officer: assigned after 8 years in the rank of Knight or in recognition of new merits
  • Commander: assigned after 5 years in the rank of Officer for even more distinguished merits
  • Grand Officer: assigned after 3 years in the rank of Commander or for services of exceptional importance
  • Grand Croix: usually awarded to persons who have performed acts or services of exceptional scale.

The criteria for awarding the Legion of Honor differ depending on whether you are civilian or military:

General case

You must meet the following 3 conditions:

  • Have prominent merits in exercise, during at least 20 years, activities for the benefit of the general interest and of the Nation
  • Have a criminal record virgin and a good morality
  • To be proposed by a minister, after consideration of a file constituted at the request of a central administration, a prefect, an association, a political figure (mayor, member of parliament, etc.) or a group of at least 50 persons (for the citizens' initiative).

Proposal must be validated by the Legion of Honor Order Council, chaired by the Grand Chancellor.

FYI  

You don't necessarily have to be a French national. Foreign nationals may be awarded the Legion of Honor. However, they cannot become members of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Military (non-General Officers)

You must meet the following 3 conditions to obtain the rank of Knight and Officer of the Legion of Honor:

  • Have prominent merits in exercise, during at least 20 yearsactivities for the benefit of the general interest and of the Nation
  • Have a criminal record virgin and a good morality
  • Be entered on a specific competition board.

FYI  

You don't necessarily have to be a French national. Foreign nationals may be awarded the Legion of Honor. However, they cannot become members of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Each year, exceptionally, the Legion of Honor may be awarded to recognize individuals who have performed an act of valor or who have exhibited their lives in the performance of their duties. And this without delay (i.e. without waiting for 20 years of service).

The dates differ depending on whether you are civilian or military:

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General case

There are two annual promotions: 1er January and July 14.

Military

There are 2 annual promotions:

  • June - July for assets
  • November for reservists and veterans.

Please note

On the occasion of historical commemorations (for example: liberation of France) or special events such as the Olympic Games, special promotions may be published.

You can't wear the distinguishing features that are associated with the Legion of Honor front a ceremony (public or private) during which the decoration is given to you.

Choosing the person who will give you the medal

Depending on whether you live in France or abroad, the people who can give you the decoration differ:

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You live in France

The decoration must be given to you by one of the following people:

  • Legion of Honor member
  • Member of the government
  • State representative in the department or community of assignment of the future knight.

If you do not know one of these individuals, you can contact the Legion of Honor Business.

You live abroad

The decoration must be given to you by one of the following people:

  • Legion of Honor member
  • Ambassador of France.

If you are not familiar with the Legion of Honor, you can contact the Legion of Honor Business.

Please note

If you are a foreigner, the reception ceremony is not mandatory.

Application for authorization to receive

You must send to the Grand Chancery a request for authorization of receipt, accompanied by the payment check for the chancery fees.

Application for authorization of reception in the Legion of Honor

Who shall I contact

  • Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor

    By mail

    Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor

    1 rue de Solferino

    75700 Paris 07 SP

    By telephone

    01 40 62 84 00

The medal is not provided by the administration.

You can buy the medal from the Monnaie de Paris or from private manufacturers.

Who shall I contact

The President of the Republic decides on the appointment to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. He shall sign an order in council for appointment, which shall be published in the Official Journal.

A patent, signed by the President of the Republic, is granted to you after the presentation of its decoration.

It attests to your membership in the order of the Legion of Honor.

Only the Legion of Honor awarded on a military basis entitles annual reward.

Please note

the daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters of french or foreigners decorators may ask to join the Legion of Honor educational institutions.

The Legion of Honor can be withdrawn in the following cases:

  • Criminal Conviction
  • To have committed acts contrary to honor or likely to harm the interests of France.

The exclusion order is announced by order in council.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor

    By mail

    Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor

    1 rue de Solferino

    75700 Paris 07 SP

    By telephone

    01 40 62 84 00

  • Business of the Legion of Honor (LHLS)