Editing Legion of Honour (section)

==Classes and insignia==
[[File:Wearing of the insignia of the Légion d'honneur (gentlemens).svg|thumb|upright=3.2|center|The five classes wearing their respective insignia (gentlemen): 1: {{lang|fr|Chevalier}}; 2: {{lang|fr|Officier}}; 3: {{lang|fr|Commandeur}}; 4: {{lang|fr|Grand-officier}}; 5: {{lang|fr|Grand-croix}}]]

The order has had five levels since the reign of King Louis XVIII, who restored the order in 1815. Since the reform, the following distinctions have existed:

* Three ranks:
** {{lang|fr|Chevalier}} (Knight): badge worn on left breast suspended from ribbon
** {{lang|fr|Officier}} (Officer): badge worn on left breast suspended from a ribbon with a [[rosette (decoration)|rosette]]
** {{lang|fr|Commandeur}} (Commander): badge around neck suspended from ribbon necklet
* Two dignities:
** {{lang|fr|Grand officier}} (Grand Officer): badge worn on left breast suspended from a ribbon (Officer), with star displayed on right breast
** {{lang|fr|Grand-croix}} (Grand Cross), formerly {{lang|fr|Grande décoration}}, {{lang|fr|Grand aigle}}, or {{lang|fr|Grand cordon}}: the highest level; badge affixed to sash worn over the right shoulder, with star displayed on left breast

Due to the order's long history, and the remarkable fact that it has been retained by all subsequent governments and regimes since the First Empire, the order's design has undergone many changes. Although the basic shape and structure of the insignia has remained generally the same, the hanging device changed back and forth and France itself swung back and forth between [[republic]] and [[monarchy]]. The central disc in the centre has also changed to reflect the political system and leadership of France at the time. As each new regime came along the design was altered to become politically correct for the time, sometimes even changed multiple times during one historical era.

[[File:Design of the Legion d’Honneur through the years.png|center|thumb|1048x1048px|How the design of the ''Légion d'honneur'' changed through each various era and regime, shown through the example of the obverse and reverse of the Officers cross. See below for a detailed explanation of each era.]]

The ''badge'' of the {{lang|fr|Légion}} is shaped as a five-armed "Maltese [[Asterisk]]", using five distinctive "arrowhead" shaped arms inspired by the [[Maltese Cross (symbol)|Maltese Cross]]. The badge is rendered in [[gilding|gilt]] (in silver for chevalier) enameled white, with an enameled [[laurel wreath|laurel]] and [[oak]] wreath between the arms. The obverse central disc is in gilt, featuring the head of [[Marianne]], surrounded by the legend {{lang|fr|République Française}} on a blue enamel ring. The reverse central disc is also in gilt, with a set of crossed {{lang|fr|[[flag of France|tricolores]]}}, surrounded by the Légion's motto {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}} ('Honour and Fatherland') and its foundation date on a blue enamel ring. The badge is suspended by an enameled laurel and oak wreath.

The ''star'' (or {{lang|fr|plaque}}) is worn by the Grand Cross (in gilt on the left chest) and the Grand Officer (in silver on the right chest) respectively; it is similar to the badge, but without enamel, and with the wreath replaced by a cluster of rays in between each arm. The central disc features the head of [[Marianne]], surrounded by the legend {{lang|fr|République Française}} ('French Republic') and the motto {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Legion of Honor in 10 questions |url=http://www.legiondhonneur.fr/en/page/legion-honor-10-questions/406 |publisher=The Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honour |access-date=18 September 2017}}</ref>

The ''[[ribbon]]'' for the medal is plain red.

The badge or star is not usually worn, except at the time of the decoration ceremony or on a [[dress uniform]] or [[formal wear]]. Instead, one normally wears the ribbon or rosette on their suit.

For less formal occasions, recipients wear a simple stripe of thread sewn onto the lapel (red for {{Lang|fr|chevaliers}} and {{Lang|fr|officiers}}, silver for {{Lang|fr|commandeurs}}). Except when wearing a dark suit with a lapel, women instead typically wear a small lapel pin called a barrette. Recipients purchase the special thread and barrettes at a store in Paris near the [[Palais-Royal]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Donadio |first=Rachel |date=11 May 2008 |title=That Isn't Lint on My Lapel, I'm an Officier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/fashion/11chevalier.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Historical Era/Period
!Notes
!Obverse
!Reverse
!Hanging Device
|-
|[[French First Republic|1804]]
|The first model of the Legion d'Honneur did not hang from a crown or wreath. It lasted for just 9 months from May 1804 until February 1805 and encompassed the founding of the [[First French Empire]] on the 18th May 1804. Despite being officially established on 19 May 1802, no awards were made until this version. This version shows the [[Emperor of the French|Emperor]] on the obverse and the imperial eagle on the reverse. The text on the ring on both the obverse and reverse would remain the same during the entirety of [[Napoleon|Napoleon's]] reign.
|[[File:1st Empire 1st Type Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 1st Type Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|
|-
|[[First French Empire|1805]]
|The second model of differed only from the first by the addition of the [[Crown of Napoleon|imperial crown]] atop the cross, and was attached to one of the arms of the cross. The image of the Emperor is also slightly smaller than the previous version, while the reverse ring also has a stylised wreath at the bottom instead of three stars.
|[[File:1st Empire 2nd Type Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 2nd Type Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 2nd Type Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[First French Empire|1806–1808]]
|The third model is very similar to the previous second version however the depiction of Napoleon is more similar to the first version and the obverse ring has a wreath at the bottom. The crown, while almost identical to that of the second version this time is free-hanging and separately fixed above the cross.
|[[File:1st Empire 3rd Type Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 3rd Type Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 3rd Type Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[First French Empire|1808–1809]]
|The fourth model has as slightly different depiction of the Emperor while the obverse ring has a star and dots in place of the previous versions wreath. The reverse of the fourth model is notable as its the only First Empire model with the eagle facing to the right, while the bottom of the ring has three stars reminiscent of the first model. The crown the cross hangs from is also very different compared to the previous two versions.
|[[File:1st Empire 4th Type Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 4th Type Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 4th Type Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[First French Empire|1809–1814]]
|The fifth and final version of the First Empire is different from the other versions by the execution of larger text on the rings, with the reverse showing a distinct wreath like object at the bottom. The obverse on some models shows and enamelled [[laurel wreath]] adorning the Emperors head, while on the reverse the eagle is back facing left. The crown is also radically different from the previous models.
|[[File:1st Empire 5th Type Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 5th Type Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:1st Empire 5th Type Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[Bourbon Restoration in France|1814–1830]]
|The sixth model from the [[Bourbon Restoration in France|Bourbon Restoration]] period marks the first major alteration from the original design, due to the fact that the [[Kingdom of France|regime]] and leader of France had changed. The crown the cross hangs from has been altered and also features the main symbol of the [[House of Bourbon]]; the [[fleur-de-lis]]. The obverse features the profile of "The Good King" [[Henry IV of France|Henri IV]] with the text of the ring bearing the words; Henry IV, King of France and the [[Kingdom of Navarre|Navarre]]. The reverse keeps the text of the previous versions; {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}} and depicts the three fleurs-de-lis, the symbol of the Bourbons.
|[[File:Bourbon Restoration Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Bourbon Restoration Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Bourbon Restoration Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[July Monarchy|1830–1848]]
|The seventh model from the [[July Monarchy]] period is similar to the previous Bourbon Restoration period. The crown is very similar, with just the fleur-de-lis omitted, the obverse keeps the profile of Henri IV but the obverse ring bears just his name, with the rest of the ring filled with stars and a wreath. The reverse bears the first depiction of what would continue for many future iterations; the two crossed [[tricolour]]s with the usual reverse ring motto {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}}.
|[[File:July Monarchy Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:July Monarchy Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:July Monrchy Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[French Second Republic|1848–1851]]
|The eighth model, used for only three years during the [[French Second Republic|Second Republic]] is the only other example apart from the first model to not have any hanging device (no crown/wreath). The obverse once again shows a portrait of Napoleon, with the text reading "Bonaparte [[French Consulate|First Consul]]" and the date of the order's founding; 19 May 1802. The reverse shows the crossed tricolours as before, however this time the {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}} is written underneath and not on the ring, the first and only time this was the case. The reverse ring instead reads {{lang|fr|République Française}} which would later feature on the obverse ring.
|[[File:2nd Republic Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Second Republic Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|
|-
|[[French Second Republic|1851–1852]]
|The ninth or {{lang|fr|[[Napoleon III|La Presidence]]}} model was only used between 1851 and 1852 and is considered by some to be a hybrid model. It is at the very least a transitional model from the design used during the Second Republic to the [[Second French Empire|Second Empire]]. The execution of the cross is very similar to Second Republic models, just with the addition of a crown (different to that of the Second Empire models) while the obverse continues to show Napoleon, with the ring text of {{lang|fr|Napoleon Emp. des Français}}. The reverse shows the imperial eagle and the usual ring text. The central discs bear a striking resemblance to the fifth model.
|[[File:La Presidence Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:La Presidence Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:La Presidence Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[Second French Empire|1852–1870]]
|The tenth model used in the Second Empire would be the last to date to use either Napoleon's image or a crown of any sort. The crown used is quite unique and resembles the [[Crown of Napoleon III]], while the obverse shows the Napoleon I with the ring text of {{lang|fr|Napoleon Empereur des Français}} (the only model to fully spell out Emperor). The reverse shows the usual imperial eagle, though this time facing right like the fourth model. The usual reverse ring text is present with a large wreath at the bottom.
|[[File:Second Empire Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Second Empire Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:2nd Empire Crown.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[French Third Republic|1870–1940]]
|The eleventh model created for the [[French Third Republic|Third French Republic]] would be another radical change, and the first to show much of the symbolism of today's model. It was the first model to hang from a wreath of laurel and oak leaves, and the first to feature the profile of [[Marianne]] on the obverse. The ring on the obverse reads; {{lang|fr|République Française}}, the first since the early Second Republic and the first time on the obverse, with the date [[1870 in France|1870]]. The back features the tricolours and the usual text of {{lang|fr|Honneur et Patrie}}, in a design almost identical to the seventh model used during the July Monarchy.
|[[File:Third Republic Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Third Republic Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Third Republic Wreath.png|100x100px]]
|-
|[[France|1946–]]
|The 12th, final and current version is almost identical to the 11th. The only differences are found on the ring of the obverse, where the date of 1870, the Third Republic's founding, is replaced with a star. The reverse is also almost identical, with just the wreath at the bottom of the ring being replaced with {{lang|fr|29 Floréal an X}} ([[French Republican calendar|29 Floréal Year 10]]), the date of the order's founding (19 May 1802) in the [[French Republican calendar|French Revolutionary Calendar]]. Except for these changes the {{lang|fr|Legion d'Honneur}} has remained unchanged from 1870, with this exact form being kept during both the [[French Fourth Republic|Fourth]] and current [[French Fifth Republic|Fifth Republic]].
|[[File:Fourth and Fifth Republic Obverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Fourth & Fifth Republic Reverse.png|100x100px]]
|[[File:Fourth & Fifth Republic Wreath.png|100x100px]]
|}