Légion d'honneur

The Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honor (AmE) or Legion of Honour (ComE)) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. First instituted by Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic, on May 19, 1802, it is one of the most prestigious French awards and the country's highest civilian honour. This Order replaces the previous Orders of Saint Michael, The Holy Spirit, Saint Louis, Saint Lazarus and Mount Carmel.

Palace and Museum of the Legion of Honour

The National Museum of the Legion of Honour (Musée national de la Legion d'Honneur) is housed in the "Hôtel de Salm" on the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris, otherwise known as the Palais de la Légion d'honneur. It was built between 1782 and 1787 by the architect Pierre Rousseau for the German Prince Frederick III of Salm-Kyrbourg. The revolutionary government nationalised the building, and from 13 May 1804 it became the seat of the newly created Légion d'honneur. It was destroyed by fire under the Paris Commune in 1871, but was reconstructed with the support of funds raised among recipients of the Légion d'honneur and of the military medals which it also commemmorates. An imitation of this building was constructed in San Francisco (the California Palace of the Legion of Honor), and also serves as a museum.

Related Topics:
River Seine - Paris - 1782 - 1787 - Pierre Rousseau - Frederick III of Salm-Kyrbourg - 13 May - 1804 - Paris Commune - 1871 - San Francisco - California Palace of the Legion of Honor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The address of the Palace is:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:2, rue de la Légion d'honneur

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:F-75007 Paris

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Open daily (except on Mondays) 2–5 pm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:RER: Musée d'Orsay (opposite the main entrance of the Musée d'Orsay)

Related Topics:
RER - Musée d'Orsay

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~