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The Grand Master 
The Grand Chancellor

The Grand Master is the highest official of the Legion of Honor. This supreme function devolves by right upon the Head of State, who names the Grand Chancellor as guarantor of the integrity of the Order.

The Grand Master

"Mr. President of the French Republic, we recognize you as Grand Master of the National Order of the Legion of Honor". 

With this ritual sentence uttered by the Grand Chancellor at the investiture ceremony, the President of France becomes the highest authority of the Legion of Honor during his term in office. Previously, the Head of State has received the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor (conferred upon him ex officio), as well as the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit. 

Following an immutable protocol, the Grand Chancellor presents the President with the symbol of his function, the Grand Master‘s collar, which is returned to the Museum of the Legion of Honor collection immediately after the ceremony. 

Yet the Grand Master’s role is more than symbolic: he is above all the supreme guarantor of the National Orders, the Legion of Honor and the Order of Merit.

Responsibilities of the Grand Master

  • The Grand Master has the final decision on all issues concerning the National Orders, and in particular he signs the decrees that formalize nominations and promotions.
  • He personally awards the insignia of Grand Cross and Grand Officer of the National Orders to dignitaries who so desire. He also decorates certain French or foreign individuals of note in the reception rooms of the Elysée Palace.
  • At official ceremonies at the Hôtel National des Invalides, the Grand Master awards the insignia of the Legion of Honor, the Military Medal and the National Order of Merit to military personnel and, on a posthumous basis, to soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty.
  • The Head of State sets, for a three-year term, the annual quotas for admission and promotion in the Legion of Honor. · He directly decides on Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit awards to foreign heads of state.
  • Upon recommendation of the Council of Order, he takes the final decision on the suspension or expulsion of any award recipient who has been convicted in a criminal court or who has committed a dishonorable action.
  • Lastly, the Grand Master appoints the Grand Chancellor and the members of the Councils of both Orders.

The Grand Chancellor

The Grand Chancellor is the central official of the Legion of Honor. Guardian of the Code of Rules and the values of the Order, arbiter of decorations, ambassador of the Order in France and abroad, rector of its academic establishments, Director of the Museum, the Grand Chancellor occupies a unique position within French institutions. 

The Grand Chancellor is a high dignitary of the French Republic. He is ranked 17th in the French order of precedence. Selected by the President of France among recipients of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, the Grand Chancellor is appointed to head the Institution for a renewable six-year term. The position may be held by an individual of either a civilian or a military background. Army General François Lecointre, who served as Chief of the Defense Staff from 2017 to 2021, currently directs the Institution.

See his biography

Responsibilities of the Grand Chancellor

  • Administration of the Legion of Honor, the Military Medal, the National Order of Merit and the National Medal for Recognition of the Victims of Terrorism.
    • The Grand Chancellor presides over the two Councils of Orders, the locus of decision-making and supervision of decorations. · He receives the ministers’ proposals for nomination and promotion.
    • He interacts with the President of the Republic, to whom he submits the decisions of the Councils.
    • He may be heard by the Council of Ministers when the interests of the Orders are discussed.
    • He originates disciplinary procedures against award recipients who are condemned of a crime or have committed a dishonorable action.
    • He is the arbiter of all questions relating to the management of the two Orders and he manages the Military Medal and the National Medal for Recognition of the Victims of Terrorism
  • Responsibility over French decorations. The Grand Chancellor ensures the consistency of the French system of decorations.
    • He considers potential modifications in the awarding of an official decoration.
    • He is consulted when a new award is to be created. · He grants the right to wear foreign decorations.
  • Authority over the maisons d'éducation of the Legion of Hono
    • The Grand Chancellor is responsible for two public education establishments, welcoming 1,000 middle and high school girls.
  • Directorship of the Museum of the Legion of Honor and the Orders of Chivalry.
    • The Grand Chancellor supervises the activity and promotes the reputation of this unique museum. 

To coordinate this original group of activities, the Grand Chancellor relies on an administration, the Grand Chancery, and a Secretary General at its helm.