Legion of Honour

The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It has been retained by all later French governments and regimes, with its seat located in the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction, from Chevalier (Knight) to Grand-croix (Grand Cross). Initially created to reward political loyalty, the Légion d'honneur became a modern order of merit open to men of all ranks and professions, regardless of their Christian background, with the award of the Grand aigle (Grand Eagle) being the highest honour.learn more on wikipedia