In the lead-up to France’s Bastille Day on 14 July, the latest appointments to the National Order of the Legion of Honour have been announced, with two Belgians among the 589 names published in the French government gazette.
The Legion of Honour, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, remains France’s highest distinction, awarded for “extraordinary services to the nation.”
The Sunday publication included 589 new civilian appointments or promotions. Among them are two Belgians residing in France. Carol Duval-Leroy, of the French champagne house that shares her name and born Carole Nilens, has been promoted to the rank of Officer, having been a Knight since 2007. Véronique Aerts from Lommel, CEO of seafood wholesaler Maison Blanc and oyster house Gillardeau, has been appointed as a Knight.
Notable names on the list include the famous American musician and producer Pharrell Williams, who became the artistic director of the French fashion house Louis Vuitton in 2023. He has been designated a Knight. Chinese pianist Lang Lang has received the same honour.
Gisèle Pelicot, a central figure in a high-profile rape case, is also now a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. For years, she was drugged and raped by dozens of men, including her husband Dominique Pelicot, who was among 51 men convicted in December. Remarkably, Gisèle Pelicot chose a public trial to highlight the issue of violence against women.
In the business world, Guillaume Faury, CEO of the European aerospace company Airbus, has been elevated to Officer. Antoine de Saint-Affrique, currently head of the French dairy group Danone and formerly head of chocolate giant Barry Callebaut, is among those joining as a Knight.
