The national order of the Merit was instituted the December 3rd 1963 by the general de Gaulle. It rewards the distinguished merits , soldiers or civilians, returned to the French nation. It replaces old ministerial and colonial orders.

Its creation makes it possible to revalorize the National order of the Legion of honor created by Napoleon Bonaparte the May 20th 1802 to reward the eminent merits .

It also includes/understands three ranks: Knight, Officer and Commander, and two dignities: Large Officer and Grand' Cross.

Protocolar order of port of the principal French medals

• the national order of the Merit arrives in fourth position behind the Legion of honor, the order of the Release and the Military decoration.

Ministerial orders replaced by the national order of the Merit

The badge, which was created by the French sculptor-médailleur max Leognany, is a star with six double branches, enamelled of blue, out of money for the knights, vermeil for the officers. The center of star is surrounded by intersected sheets of bay-tree and represents the effigy of the Republic, surrounded by a circle carrying the words: French Republic . It is surmounted by a crown of fastener of intersected sheets of Chêne, out of money for the knights, vermeil for the officers. The reverse carries two intersected Tricolours, surrounded by a circle carrying the inscription: National order of the Merit and goes back it to foundation of the Order: December 3rd, 1963 . The badge is suspended with a blue ribbon in moire of France. It comprises a rivet washer for the officers. The badge of the commanders is suspended with a tie.

The large officers carry the cross of officer but also a plate on the right-sided of the chest. The Grand Crosses carry the same plate, but in vermeil, on the left side of the chest. It goes in scarf, suspended with a broad blue ribbon which passes on the right shoulder.

To note: all the Prime Ministers are raised, by the president of the Republic, with the dignity of Grand Cross of the National order of the Merit after six months of function.

A study entitled “the National order of the Merit absorbs the Ministerial Orders 1963/2003” was presented within the framework of Arts and Beautiful the Letter Academy of Science of Dijon, by Olivier Matthey-Doret, section Héraldique and Numismatic.

Member elects of the national order of the Merit

• List of the knights of the national order of the Merit

• List of the officers of the national order of the Merit
• List of the commanders of the national order of the Merit
• List of the large officers of the national order of the Merit
• List of the grand' cross of the national order of the Merit

See too

External bond

• Site treating of military and civil decorations French
• Site of the National association of the Members of the National order of the Merit

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