Grande Chancellerie de la Legion d'honneur

The Grand Chancery of the Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon in 1802, administers the Legion of Honor, the highest French distinction, as well as other national awards. It also manages two schools and the Museum of the Legion of Honor. It performs three public service missions, all governed by the Code of the Legion of Honor: - To administer the four highest French honors (Legion of Honor, Military Medal, Order of Merit, National Medal of Recognition for Victims of Terrorism). - To run two top class public boarding schools (the maisons d'éducation of the Legion of Honor), also created by Napoleon in 1805, and to this day open exclusively to the female descendants of the honorees of France's three highest decorations. - To manage the Museum of the Legion of Honor and Orders of Chivalry, founded after the First World War. The Museum is a worldwide reference in its field and contributes to spreading knowledge of French and foreign awards. These three important missions lead to a fourth: the conservation and restoration of the Legion of Honor's heritage, including not only historical buildings, but also works of art and archives. The Legion of Honor owns and is responsible for the upkeep of several prestigious historical buildings. These include the 18th century Palace of the Legion of Honor in Paris and the former Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis, next to the Basilica which contains the necropolis of the Kings of France. Both of these buildings figure on the French National Register of Historic Places. Philanthropy plays a vital role in financing their renovation, modernization and upgrading. Only basic maintenance costs are covered by the French State.