Logo
Home
Library
DIY TV
Profile
Profile Icon
Back

Facts for Kids

The Legion of Honour is the highest French award for merit, given to individuals for remarkable contributions in military and civil fields, consisting of five classes.

Overview

The Insignia And Medals

Categories Of Recipients

Ceremonies And Traditions

Controversies And Criticisms

Comparison With Other Honours

History Of The Legion Of Honour

Legion Of Honour In Popular Culture

International Influence And Recognition

Famous Recipients Of The Legion Of Honour

Criteria For Awarding The Legion Of Honour

main image

Inside this Article

Claude Monet

Learn more >

Creativity

Learn more >

Community

Learn more >

Napoleon

Learn more >

Society

Learn more >

France

Learn more >

French

Learn more >

People

Learn more >

Dream

Learn more >

Cross

Learn more >

A

Learn more >

Did you know?

🇫🇷 The Legion of Honour is France's highest award for bravery and service.

🌟 It was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to honor great people.

🎖️ There are five classes of the Legion of Honour, from Knight to Grand Cross.

☀️ The first recipients were brave soldiers from wars.

🌍 Famous recipients include scientists, artists, and even Walt Disney!

✨ The main medal is star-shaped, featuring symbols of France.

🎉 Special ceremonies celebrate those receiving the award with families cheering.

😕 The Legion of Honour has faced some criticisms about who gets the award.

🤝 It honors both military and civilian contributions equally.

📚 The award is recognized worldwide, inspiring other countries to create their own honors.

Introduction

The Legion of Honour is a special award in France 🇫🇷! It's the highest honor a person can get for doing something really good, whether in the army or for helping others. Started in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, it recognizes brave soldiers, talented artists, and helpful citizens. The award has five classes or levels, from Knight to Grand Cross, each with its own unique medal. The Legion of Honour is like a shiny badge that shows how much someone is appreciated for their amazing contributions!
Read Less

The Insignia And Medals

The Legion of Honour has beautiful medals that are worn proudly! The main medal is a star-shaped emblem with five points, symbolizing bravery and excellence ✨. Knights wear a ribbon with a red color that’s very eye-catching. Higher classes have bigger and more colorful medals, showing their rank. Each medal also has images of French symbols, like the rooster. The design, by renowned artist Jean-Antoine Houdon, reflects the values of France, making the award not just shiny but meaningful!
Read Less

Categories Of Recipients

There are five main categories for the Legion of Honour! They include:
1. Knight: Entry-level honor for many.
2. Officer: For those who make a big impact.
3. Commander: Recognizes even greater contributions.
4. Grand Officer: A prestigious level for major achievements.
5. Grand Cross: The highest honor, given to the most exceptional individuals 🌟.
Each class has its own meaning and level of prestige, showing how far an individual has gone in their service or contributions!
Read Less

Ceremonies And Traditions

Receiving the Legion of Honour is a big deal! Special ceremonies are held where recipients gather to be honored 🎉. During the ceremony, the award is pinned on the winner, often by a government official or the President of France. A lot of proud friends and family cheer them on! Over the years, these ceremonies have hundreds of traditions, like wearing special uniforms or singing the national anthem. It’s a time to celebrate bravery, creativity, and kindness.
Read Less

Controversies And Criticisms

Like many awards, the Legion of Honour has faced some issues too 😕. Some people believe it doesn’t always recognize the right individuals, like politicians or wealthy people, instead of true heroes who deserve it. Others argue that it should focus more on modern contributions, like environmental efforts. Over the years, these debates have sparked discussions about fairness and the meaning of honor. It’s important for any award to consider all kinds of achievement and who truly deserves recognition!
Read Less

Comparison With Other Honours

Many countries have their own systems for recognizing achievements, but the Legion of Honour is unique! Unlike some awards that only focus on the military, the Legion honors both military and civil contributions 🤝. In the UK, there’s the Order of the British Empire, which is similar but has different classes and criteria. The U.S. also celebrates people with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While each has its rules and styles, they all share a common goal: to honor and celebrate exceptional individuals in society!
Read Less

History Of The Legion Of Honour

Napoleon Bonaparte created the Legion of Honour in 1802 to honor people who did great things for France. It was a time when France needed heroes ☀️! The first winners were soldiers who had fought bravely during wars. Over the years, it grew to include artists, scientists, and those who helped build communities. The award helped unite the French people and showed recognition for acts of courage and service. Today, it remains a symbol of honor and respect in France and beyond!
Read Less

Legion Of Honour In Popular Culture

The Legion of Honour appears in movies, books, and art! For instance, in the famous film "Les Misérables," many characters dream of being acknowledged for their heroic deeds, just like the Legion celebrates heroes 🦸‍♀️! Artists, too, depict the medal in paintings or sculptures. The Legion symbolizes honor and achievement that everyone can look up to. It helps remind audiences that bravery, kindness, and talent are important values to strive for!
Read Less

International Influence And Recognition

The Legion of Honour isn’t just famous in France, but around the world! Many countries have their own awards inspired by this prestigious honor 🌍. For example, the Order of the British Empire in the UK and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom share similar values. The French award has become a symbol of excellence, leading other nations to create honors for their heroes. This shows how important it is to recognize amazing people everywhere!
Read Less

Famous Recipients Of The Legion Of Honour

Many amazing people have received the Legion of Honour! Among them is Marie Curie, a scientist who discovered radium and polonium, making the world smarter and safer 🌍. Another is Winston Churchill, who helped Britain during World War II—the British called him their bulldog! Other famous recipients include the writer Victor Hugo and the artist Claude Monet. Even superstars like Walt Disney have earned this prestigious award, showing that greatness comes in many forms!
Read Less

Criteria For Awarding The Legion Of Honour

To earn the Legion of Honour, a person must have done something truly remarkable 🎖️! This can mean showing bravery in war, creating wonderful works of art, or helping their community in meaningful ways. Candidates are nominated by others, and their achievements are carefully reviewed. It’s not just for the famous; everyday heroes can be recognized too! Additionally, recipients must be of good character and their work should inspire others, making them role models in society.
Read Less

Legion Of Honour Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!
How do I reactivate my account?
How do I sign up?
Are the android and iOS apps coming back?
What is DIY?
What is a “Challenge” on DIY?
What is a “Course” on DIY?
What are “Skills” on DIY?
What if I'm new to all this—where do I begin?
Do I need special materials or equipment?
Is DIY safe for kids?
Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?
How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?
What is DIY?
What's the recommended age for DIY?

Our Mission

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Challenges

Photograph a Landscape
Draw a Food Monster
Make Fluffy Slime
Build a Catapult
The 30 Day Project
Introduce Yourself in Another Language

See more

Skills

Illustration
Painting
Cooking
Gaming
Rocketry
Photography
Mechanical Engineering

See more

Activities

Activities for Kids
Indoor Activities for Kids
Outdoor Activities for Kids
Summer Activities for Kids
AI Homework Helper
Would you rather?

Company

About
Blog
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Community Guidelines
FAQ
Download on AppStoreDownload on Google Play

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.