All citizens may nominate an individual whom they consider worthy of receiving a first appointment to the Legion of Honor or the National Order of Merit.
This procedure makes it possible to identify locally, on the ground, individuals who serve the common interest and who would not have been identified by the conventional network.
The individual proposed must meet the criteria to be eligible for admission to the National Orders: a commitment to serving the nation in any sector of activity, over at least 10 years for the National Order of Merit and at least 20 years for the Legion of Honor.
An annual quota, in addition to the ordinary quotas, is dedicated to the Citizens' initiative to encourage its success.
How to proceed
The initiator of the proposal must compile a dossier of biographical information demonstrating the merits of the person deemed worthy of being decorated, as well as 50 supporting signatures from adult French citizens.
The file is then to be submitted to both:
- the prefecture of the department of the nominee’s residence,
- and the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor.
The information is checked and completed. If the proposed nomination is deemed admissible, it is then submitted to the Council of the Legion of Honor or the National Order of Merit, following the traditional procedure for awarding decorations.
Practical information
Advice to facilitate your proposal:
- Download the Citizens' Initiative leaflet
- Read about the criteria for awarding the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit
- Download the proposal form
- Find the contact details for the prefecture of your nominee’s department
- Address to mail your proposal to the Grand Chancery:
Grande chancellerie de la Légion d’honneur
Service des décorations - Initiative citoyenne
1 rue de Solférino F-75700 Paris SP
