What is the French name for the National Order of Merit, and what is its English translation?

The French name for the National Order of Merit is Ordre national du Mérite, which translates to the National Order of Merit in English.

Who is the awarding authority for the Ordre national du Mérite?

The Ordre national du Mérite is awarded by the President of the French Republic.

On what date was the Ordre national du Mérite established?

The Ordre national du Mérite was established on December 3, 1963.

Who founded the Ordre national du Mérite in France?

The order was founded by President Charles de Gaulle.

What were the two main objectives behind the creation of the Ordre national du Mérite?

The order was created to consolidate the numerous ministerial orders previously awarded by individual ministries and to establish an award that could be conferred at a level below the Legion of Honour.

How does the Ordre national du Mérite's award criteria compare to that of the Legion of Honour?

The National Order of Merit is awarded for distinguished civil or military achievements, but generally at a lesser level of distinction than that required for the Legion of Honour.

Approximately how many members does the Ordre national du Mérite have?

The order comprises approximately 185,000 members.

What is the gender representation requirement for recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Half of the recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite are required to be women.

Which types of defunct French orders were replaced by the Ordre national du Mérite?

The Ordre national du Mérite replaced numerous ministerial and colonial orders, including several colonial orders like the Order of the Star of Anjouan, Order of Nishan-e-Anuar, and Order of the Black Star, as well as various special ministerial orders of merit.

On whose advice does the President of France appoint members to the Ordre national du Mérite?

Appointments to the order are made by the President of the French Republic, typically on the advice of the Government of France.

Does the Ordre national du Mérite share any administrative structures with the Legion of Honour?

Yes, the Ordre national du Mérite shares a common Chancellor and Chancery with the Legion of Honour.

What distinction is automatically conferred upon French Prime Ministers in the Ordre national du Mérite?

Every Prime Minister of France is automatically made a Grand Cross of the order after serving six months in office.

Which former French Prime Minister was the first to receive the Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite ex officio?

Jacques Chirac was the first prime minister to receive the Grand Cross of the order ex officio.

How many classes or grades are there within the Ordre national du Mérite?

The Order has five classes: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross.

What is the minimum service duration required to be promoted from the rank of Officer to Commander in the Ordre national du Mérite?

A minimum of five years in the rank of Officer is required for promotion to Commander.

What are the age and service requirements for an individual to be appointed as a Knight in the Ordre national du Mérite?

To be appointed as a Knight, an individual must be at least 35 years old and have a minimum of 10 years of public service, although 15 years is the practical minimum often considered.

What is the minimum time requirement to advance from the rank of Grand Officer to Grand Cross in the Ordre national du Mérite?

A minimum of three years in the rank of Grand Officer is required to be eligible for promotion to Grand Cross.

How is the insignia of a Knight of the Ordre national du Mérite typically worn?

A Knight wears the medal on the left chest; women in formal dress wear it in a bow form.

What distinguishes the insignia of an Officer from that of a Knight in the Ordre national du Mérite?

An Officer wears the medal with a rosette on the left chest, in addition to the medal itself, whereas a Knight only wears the medal.

Describe how the insignia of a Commander in the Ordre national du Mérite is worn.

A Commander wears the necklet on the neck, applicable to both men and women. Women in dress wear it in a bow form on the left shoulder.

What additional elements are included in the insignia of a Grand Officer compared to a Commander?

A Grand Officer wears the medal with a rosette on the left chest and also wears the Star on the right side of the stomach, in addition to the insignia worn by a Commander.

How is the insignia of a Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite distinguished?

A Grand Cross wears the Sash on the right shoulder extending to the left hip, and the Star is worn on the left side of the stomach.

Who was the designer of the medal and plaque for the Ordre national du Mérite?

The medal and plaque of the Order were designed by the French sculptor Max Leognany.

What are the visual characteristics of the medal for the Ordre national du Mérite?

The medal is a six-armed Maltese asterisk, enamelled blue with gilt (or silver for Knights), featuring laurel leaves between the arms. The obverse central disc displays Marianne's head with the legend 'République française', while the reverse shows crossed tricolors and the order's name and foundation date.

What does the star (plaque) of the Ordre national du Mérite depict?

The star is a twelve-armed sunburst with rays, which can be plain or enamelled blue. Its central disc features Marianne's head, surrounded by the legend 'République française' and the order's name, enclosed by a laurel wreath.

What is the color of the ribbon used for the Ordre national du Mérite?

The ribbon for the Ordre national du Mérite is a solid blue field.

How is the ribbon differentiated for higher ranks like Officer and above?

For the ranks of Officer and above, a rosette is centered on the solid blue ribbon field.

What variations exist in the rosette on the ribbon for the highest grades of the Ordre national du Mérite?

The rosette is placed on a silver bar for Commanders, a silver and gold bar for Grand Officers, and a solid gold bar for Grand Crosses.

Which famous oceanographer and explorer is listed as a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Jacques Cousteau, the renowned oceanographer, is listed as a recipient.

Name two prominent French actors who are recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite.

Alain Delon and Gérard Depardieu are two prominent French actors listed as recipients.

Which acclaimed French actress, known for her extensive filmography, is a recipient of the order?

Isabelle Huppert, a highly acclaimed French actress, is listed as a recipient.

Identify two French Presidents who are listed as recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite.

Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand, both former Presidents of France, are listed as recipients.

Which iconic French mime artist and actor was a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Marcel Marceau, the celebrated mime artist and actor, is listed as a recipient.

Which renowned French singer-songwriter, known for hits like 'Comme d'habitude', received the Ordre national du Mérite?

Charles Aznavour, the famous French singer-songwriter, is listed as a recipient.

Which multiple Olympic and World Champion judoka is a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Teddy Riner, the highly decorated French judoka, is listed as a recipient.

Name a prominent member of the Dutch Royal Family who is a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite.

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which former US Army General, who also served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, is a recipient of the French Order of Merit?

General Wesley Clark is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which two prominent Indian actors are listed as recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan are listed as notable foreign national recipients from India.

Which member of the British Royal Family, currently Queen Consort, has received the Ordre national du Mérite?

Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which former King of Spain is recognized as a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite?

King Juan Carlos I of Spain is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which current monarch of Denmark is a recipient of the French Order of Merit?

Frederik X, King of Denmark, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which current Queen of Sweden is listed among the recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite?

Queen Silvia of Sweden is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which former First Lady of Indonesia is recognized with the Ordre national du Mérite?

Siti Hartinah, the former First Lady of Indonesia, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Name an Indonesian politician who served as Vice President and is a recipient of the order.

Sudharmono, who served as Vice President of Indonesia, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which Pakistani newspaper hawker, based in Paris, has been honored with the Ordre national du Mérite?

Ali Akbar, a Pakistani newspaper hawker based in Paris, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Who was the United States Ambassador to the OECD and is listed as a recipient?

Abraham Katz, the former United States Ambassador to the OECD, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which Indonesian military leaders who held the position of Chief of Staff of the Army are listed as recipients?

Poniman, Tyasno Sudarto, and Rudini are listed as notable foreign national recipients who served as Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army.

Which Indonesian politician served as Speaker of the Regional Representative Council and received the order?

Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who served as Speaker of Indonesia's Regional Representative Council, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Name an Indonesian Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning who is a recipient of the Ordre national du Mérite.

Hadi Tjahjanto, former Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning of Indonesia, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Which Indonesian military leader, formerly Commander of Army Strategic Reserve Command, is a recipient?

Prabowo Subianto, former Commander of Army Strategic Reserve Command of Indonesia, is listed as a notable foreign national recipient.

Ordre National Du M U00e9rite Wiki: The National Order of Merit: France's Emblem of Distinction

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The National Order of Merit

Foundation and Purpose

The Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) is a prestigious French order of state. Established on December 3, 1963, by President Charles de Gaulle, its creation served two primary objectives: to consolidate the numerous ministerial orders previously awarded and to establish a distinct national honor awarded for significant civil or military achievements, often at a level complementary to the esteemed Legion of Honour.^[3]

Scale and Membership

The Order boasts a substantial membership, reflecting its broad scope in recognizing merit across French society and beyond. Approximately 185,000 individuals have been inducted into its ranks, with over 306,000 admissions or promotions recorded over its first 50 years.^[4] A notable aspect of its statutes mandates that half of its recipients must be women, promoting gender parity in national recognition.^[4]

Awarded By

The President of the French Republic serves as the Grand Master of the Order. Appointments and promotions are typically made by decree, following recommendations from the French Government. This ensures that the highest levels of the state are involved in recognizing distinguished service and achievement.^[5]

Historical Context

Replacing Ministerial Orders

Prior to 1963, France had a complex system of numerous ministerial orders, each recognizing merit within specific domains (e.g., agriculture, health, commerce). President de Gaulle sought to rationalize this system by creating a single, unified order of merit that could encompass a wider range of distinguished contributions, thereby simplifying and standardizing national honors.^[3]

Defunct Orders

The establishment of the Ordre national du Mérite led to the discontinuation of many previously existing ministerial and colonial orders. These included orders such as the Order of the Star of Anjouan, Order of the Black Star, Order of Public Health, Order of Military Merit, and others, integrating their recognition functions into the new national framework.^[3]

Structure and Governance

Grand Master

The President of the French Republic holds the position of Grand Master of the Ordre national du Mérite. This role underscores the Order's status as a state decoration, directly linked to the highest office in the nation.

Statutes and Awards

Membership is conferred upon French citizens and foreign nationals alike, acknowledging distinguished achievements in various fields. The criteria for award are generally less stringent than those for the Legion of Honour, allowing for broader recognition of merit. The Order's Chancellor and Chancery operate jointly with those of the Legion of Honour.

Ex Officio Grand Cross

By convention, every Prime Minister of France is automatically awarded the Grand Cross dignity of the Order upon completing six months in office. This practice highlights the Order's role in recognizing high-level public service.

The Five Classes

Ranks

The Order comprises three fundamental ranks, each requiring a minimum period of service or achievement in the preceding rank:

Knight (Chevalier): Requires a minimum age of 35 and typically 15 years of distinguished public service.
Officer (Officier): Requires a minimum of 5 years as a Knight.
Commander (Commandeur): Requires a minimum of 3 years as an Officer.

Dignities

Above the standard ranks are two higher dignities, reflecting exceptional levels of service and recognition:

Grand Officer (Grand Officier): Requires a minimum of 3 years as a Commander.
Grand Cross (Grand-Croix): Requires a minimum of 3 years as a Grand Officer. This is the highest rank within the Order.

Insignia and Design

The Medal

The medal itself is a six-pointed Maltese asterisk, enameled in blue. Between the points, laurel leaves signify merit. The obverse features Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, surrounded by the legend "République française". The reverse displays crossed tricolors and the Order's name and foundation date. It hangs from a laurel wreath.

The Star and Ribbon

The star, a twelve-pointed sunburst, varies in material (silver or gilt) depending on the rank. The ribbon is a solid blue field. For Officer rank and above, a rosette is added to the ribbon. The specific configuration of the rosette and any accompanying bar denotes the rank held (Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, Grand Cross).

The visual representation of the Order's ranks through its ribbons:

Rank	Ribbon Description
Knight	Solid blue ribbon.
Officer	Solid blue ribbon with a central rosette.
Commander	Solid blue ribbon with a central rosette and a silver bar.
Grand Officer	Solid blue ribbon with a central rosette and a silver and gold bar.
Grand Cross	Solid blue ribbon with a central rosette and a solid gold bar.

Notable Recipients

French Citizens

The Order has been awarded to numerous prominent French figures across various fields:

Arts & Culture: Charles Aznavour, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Gérard Depardieu, Isabelle Huppert, Marcel Marceau, Sylvie Vartan.
Science & Academia: Sophie Béjean, Yves Coppens, Erol Gelenbe, Christine Guillemot, Catherine Jeandel, Cédric Villani, Claire Wyart.
Exploration & Environment: Jacques Cousteau (Grand-Croix).
Politics & Public Service: Laurent Fabius, François Mitterrand, Emmanuelle Wargon.
Sports: Teddy Riner, Victor Wembanyama.
Other: Arnaud Beltrame (Gendarme Officer), Madeleine Riffaud (Poet).

(Note: This is a partial list highlighting diverse fields.)

International Honorees

Distinguished foreign nationals have also been recognized, including heads of state, royalty, military leaders, and cultural figures:

Royalty: Queen Aishwarya of Nepal, Queen Komal of Nepal, Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Queen Sonja of Norway, Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Military & Diplomacy: Gen. Wesley Clark (US), Gen. Mark A. Milley (US), Adm. Ron Lloyd (Canada), Adm. Aaron Beng (Singapore), Gen. Andika Perkasa (Indonesia), Gen. Hadi Tjahjanto (Indonesia), Gen. Anthony Zinni (US).
Politics & Public Service: Saïd Bouziri (Tunisia), Béji Caïd Essebsi (Tunisia), Roméo LeBlanc (Canada), L\u00e9opold S\u00e9dar Senghor (Senegal).
Culture & Arts: Tina Arena (Australia), Kamal Haasan (India), Mohammad-Reza Shajarian (Iran), Sivaji Ganesan (India).
Other: Sir John Barbirolli (UK), Julia Child (Chef), Andreas Maislinger (Austria).

(Note: This is a partial list highlighting international recognition.)

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References

DÃ©cret du 24 novembre 2021 portant promotion et nomination dans l'ordre national du MÃ©rite (in French) Retrieved 14 March 2023

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ordre national du Mérite Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

Disclaimer

This content has been generated by an AI model based on information sourced from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided guidelines, this information is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

This is not official French government information or advice. The Ordre national du Mérite is a state decoration governed by specific French laws and decrees. For official details, regulations, and procedures, always consult the official sources of the Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honour and the National Order of Merit.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein. Always verify critical information with official sources.

France's Emblem of Distinction

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The National Order of Merit 🎖️

🇫🇷 Foundation and Purpose

👥 Scale and Membership

⭐ Awarded By

Historical Context 📜

🏛️ Replacing Ministerial Orders

➡️ Defunct Orders

Structure and Governance ⚙️

👑 Grand Master

📜 Statutes and Awards

🏛️ Ex Officio Grand Cross

The Five Classes 💎

🎖️ Ranks

🌟 Dignities

Insignia and Design 🎨

🏅 The Medal

✨ The Star and Ribbon

Notable Recipients 🌟

🇫🇷 French Citizens

🌍 International Honorees

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The National Order of Merit

Foundation and Purpose

Scale and Membership

Awarded By

Historical Context

Replacing Ministerial Orders

Defunct Orders

Structure and Governance

Grand Master

Statutes and Awards

Ex Officio Grand Cross

The Five Classes

Ranks

Dignities

Insignia and Design

The Medal

The Star and Ribbon

Notable Recipients

French Citizens

International Honorees

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Important Notice

Disclaimer