Editing Legion of Honour (section)

====French nationals====
French nationals, men and women, can be received into the {{lang|fr|Légion}}, for "eminent merit" ({{lang|fr|mérites éminents}}) in military or civil life. In practice, in current usage, the order is conferred on entrepreneurs, high-level [[French Civil Service|civil servants]], scientists, artists, including famous actors and actresses, sport [[champion]]s,{{efn|All Olympic Gold Medal winners are awarded the {{lang|fr|Légion}}.}} and others with connections in the [[executive branch|executive]]. Members of the [[French Parliament]] cannot receive the order, except for valour in war,<ref>{{lang|fr|Légion}} Code, article R22</ref> and ministers are not allowed to nominate their accountants.

Until 2008, French nationals could only enter the Legion of Honour at the class of {{lang|fr|Chevalier}} (Knight). To be promoted to a higher class, one had to perform new eminent services in the interest of France and a set number of years had to pass between appointment and promotion. This was however amended in 2008 when entry became possible at Officer, Commander and Grand Officer levels, as a recognition of "extraordinary careers" ({{lang|fr|carrières hors du commun}}). In 2009, [[Simone Veil]] became the first person to enter the Order at Grand Officer level.<ref>{{cite news |language=fr |title=Simone Veil grand officier de la légion d'honneur |url=http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/culture/20081231.OBS7893/simone-veil-grand-officier-de-la-legion-d-honneur.html |newspaper=[[Le Nouvel Observateur]] |location=Paris |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=25 August 2015 }}</ref> Veil was a member of the {{lang|fr|[[Académie française]]}}, a former [[Minister of Health (France)|Health Minister]] and [[President of the European Parliament]], as well as an [[Auschwitz]] survivor. She was promoted to Grand Cross in 2012.

Every year at least five recipients decline the award. Even if they refuse to accept it, they are still included in the order's official membership.<ref name=France24/> The composers [[Maurice Ravel]] and [[Charles Koechlin]], for example, declined the award when it was offered to them.<ref name=grove>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Kelly |first=Barbara L. |author-link=Barbara L. Kelly |year=2001 |encyclopedia=[[Grove Music Online]] |title=Ravel, (Joseph) Maurice |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52145 |isbn=978-1-56159-263-0 |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000052145 }} {{Grove Music subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Orledge |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Orledge |year=1989 |title=Charles Koechlin (1867–1950): His Life and Works |page=16|publisher=[[Psychology Press]] |location=London |isbn=978-3-7186-0609-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/charleskoechlin10001orle |url-access=registration }}</ref>