description Ordre National du Mérite (France) Overview
Established in 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle, the Ordre National du Mérite is a French order of merit recognizing distinguished civil and military service. It was created to consolidate and replace numerous prior ministerial and colonial orders, streamlining the French national honors system. The order consists of five distinct classes, mirroring the structure of the Legion of Honour. It is awarded to French citizens who have demonstrated significant professional or public merit, as well as to select foreign nationals.
help Ordre National du Mérite (France) FAQ
Who established the Ordre National du Mérite?
President Charles de Gaulle established the Ordre National du Mérite in 1963. It recognizes distinguished civil and military service to France.
Why was the Ordre National du Mérite created?
The order consolidated and replaced numerous earlier ministerial and colonial orders. This streamlined France's system of national and specialized distinctions under one modern order.
What are the ranks of the Ordre National du Mérite?
The order has five ranks: chevalier, officier, commandeur, grand officier, and grand-croix. These ranks distinguish progression within the order rather than representing separate medals.
How is the Ordre National du Mérite different from the Legion of Honour?
Both are major French orders, but the Ordre National du Mérite was created in 1963 for distinguished service and is generally considered second in precedence to the Legion of Honour. The Legion of Honour is the older and higher national order.
explore Explore More
Similar to Ordre National du Mérite (France)
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
