PROPOSITIONS
   
 
1) What are the conditions for proposal?

• One is eligible for nomination in the class of Knight (chevalier) of the Legion of Honour over the course of a career of at least 20 years with an assortment of acts of “eminent merit”.

• One is eligible for nomination in the class of Knight (chevalier) of the National Order of Merit over the course of a career of at least 10 years with an assortment of acts of “distinguished merit” (in reality, the Council of the National Order of Merit looks at 15 years of activity).
 
 
   
 
2) Can I apply for a decoration?
• No. It is not possible to request a decoration for oneself.
   
 
   
 
3) How are proposals made and by whom?
• Proposals are presented by the Ministers who make their selections among the applications presented by their departments, Prefects, associations, individuals and other sources.
Examples:
A pharmacist will be presented by the Ministry of Health.
A farmer will be presented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
A writer will be presented by the Ministry of Culture. . .
   
 
   
 
4) I would like point someone out – who should I contact?
• Contact the City Hall or Department Prefecture of the person’s residence or the Ministry the person appertains to.
   
 
   
 
5) Can I personally recommend someone?

• Yes. It is now possible to nominate someone to a national order for the first time by filling out a written proposal that can be downloaded on this site click. Fill out the spaces which describe the merits of this person, sign the form and then have it signed by 99 other people. Once completed, send it to the Prefecture of your department. Click on Initiative citoyenne
   
 
   
 
6) I sent an application. Where can I get information on it?
• From the City Hall or the Department Prefecture of the candidate’s residence or from the Ministry that covers the person’s profession.
   
 
   
 
7) Can I learn if I am on the list of new recipients before publication in the “Journal Officiel”?
 • No
   
 
   
 
8) How many nominations are there each year?

• For the Legion of Honour: 5 per year
___-3 for civilians (1 January, Easter, 14 July)
___-2 for the military (early July and early May)
• For the Military Medal: 2 per year
___-during the month of April
___-beginning November
• For the National Order of Merit : 4 per year
___-2 for civilians (15 May and 15 November)
___-2 for the military (1 May and 1 November)
   
 
   
 

9) How many years must I wait before being promoted to another class?

• In all cases, a promotion can only award new merits, posterior to the preceding decoration. There is no advancement by seniority.

→ LH : 8 years minimum between knight (chevalier) and officer;
  5 years minimum between officer and commander
→ ONM : 5 years minimum between knight (chevalier) and officer;
  3 years minimum between officer and commander
   
 
 
 
10) Is it possible to be decorated posthumously?
• No, it is no longer possible to be decorated posthumously. However, the Prime Minister, acting on the authority of the President of the Republic, is authorised to decorate a person wounded or killed in the act of duty and who has been acknowledged as worthy of receiving a distinction in either of the orders within a month.
 

  RECEPTION
   
 
11) I have just been nominated, or promoted, to a national order. What happens?
• You will be congratulated by the Grand Chancellor in a letter where he will explain how to have this decoration given.
- He will ask you to designate the person who will give you the decoration.
   
 
   
 
12) Where must I pay the Chancellory fees?
• Payment is made by check to “agent comptable de la Grande Chancellerie de la Legion d’honneur” (example fee: 20 Euros and 28 cents for knight). You will receive the certificate after the decoration ceremony.
   
 
   
 
13) I don’t know anyone who could give me my decoration. What should I do?

• You can contact the Prefecture of your department or the following associations:
The Société d’entraide des membres de la Légion d’honneur (telephone: 01 47 05 78 31)
The Association des membres de l’ordre du Mérite (telephone: 01 47 05 75 92)
   
 
   
 
14) Who buys the decoration and where?
• The Grand Chancellery does not supply the decoration. It is purchased by the recipient. The Monnaie de Paris, 11, quai de Conti, 75006 Paris is a reliable source for this purchase. Consult their site for other addresses outside of Paris: www.monnaiedeparis.com.
   
 
   
 
15) Is it necessary to have proof in order to buy a decoration?
• No, anyone can buy a decoration but wearing one without having the right to wear it can lead to prosecution.
   
 
   
 
16) Can the decoration be worn (the Legion of Honour or the Order of Merit) before officially receiving it?
• Non, the decoration must be given before it can be worn.
   
 
   
 
17) Is there a time limit to be given the decoration for either one of the orders?
• There is no time limit for the reception of the decoration but it is recommended to be decorated within the 12 months following the date of nomination.
   
 
   
 
18) How must I have my decoration given to me (both national orders)?
• The conferral ceremony can be held in a public or private place, during an official ceremony or within a more intimate circle (with the dignity that the prestige of the order calls for).
   
 
   
 
19) I have been decorated with the Military Medal. What should I do?
• You may wear your decoration as soon as the nomination appears in the “Journal Officiel”. The official bestowal of the medal is not required.
   
 
 
 

HOW TO WEAR DECORATIONS
   
 
20) What are the French decorations that may be worn?
• Only the official decorations which appear on the list established by the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour may be worn. (click here)
   
 
   
 
21) I am the holder of a French decoration. How should I wear it?
• Only the official decorations can be worn on the left side of the chest.
Cliquez pour agrandir !
Click here to enlarge. →
   
 
   
 
22) I am the holder of several French decorations. In what order must they be worn?
• The order of precedence of how the official civilian and military decorations are to be worn is set in the list established by the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour (click here). Decorations may be worn on a single medal bar.
   
 
   
 
23) I have just been made knight of a ministerial order (Palmes Académiques; Mérite agricole; Mérite maritime; Arts et Lettres). What is the proper procedure for receiving the insignia?
• The official bestowal is required solely for the Legion of Honour and for the Order of Merit. You may wear the ministerial decoration as soon as it is published in the “Bulletin Officiel”.
   
 
   
 
24) I was decorated with the Order of Social Merit in 1961. May I still wear this decoration?
• Yes. Even though the order of Social Merit along with 12 other ministerial orders were suppressed in 1963 (click here), it may still be worn.
   
 
   
 
25) Can I wear the National Order of Merit instead of the “Mérite social”?
• No, the Order of Merit is not a substitute for the suppressed orders.
   
 
   
 
26) May I wear foreign decorations?
• Foreign decorations may be worn only after receiving authorisation from the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour.
   
 
   
 
27) How are the foreign decorations to be worn?
• Foreign decorations are worn after the French decorations.
 
 
     
 
   
   
   
 
28) I am the head of an association. Can I create a decoration?
• No. This is the State’s prerogative. You may create a sign of distinction but wearing it is strictly limited to private meetings.