Ordre des Arts et des Lettres facts for kids

Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Insignia of an Officier and a Chevalier
Type	Order of merit with 3 degrees: Commandeur (Commander) Officier (Officer) Chevalier (Knight)
Awarded for	Significant contribution to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance
Status	Active
Statistics
Established	2 May 1957
Precedence
Next (higher)	Ordre du Mérite Maritime
Next (lower)	Médaille des Évadés
Commandeur Officier Chevalier Ribbon bars of the Order

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (which means 'Order of Arts and Letters' in French) is a special award from France. It was created on May 2, 1957, by the French Minister of Culture. This award is given to people who have made big contributions to art, literature, or who have helped spread these creative fields around the world.

In 1963, President Charles de Gaulle confirmed that this award works alongside the Ordre national du Mérite, another important French honor. Some people believe its roots go back to the Order of Saint Michael, which was started way back in 1469.

Who Can Get the Award?

To be considered for this award, French citizens usually need to be at least 30 years old. They must also follow French laws. Most importantly, they need to have helped make French culture richer through their work.

But this award isn't just for French people! Many famous people from other countries have also received it. Foreigners can get the award at any age, without the 30-year-old rule.

The Order has three levels, or 'grades':

• Commandeur (Commander): This is the highest level. People wear a special medallion around their neck. Up to 20 people can receive this award each year.
• Officier (Officer): This is the middle level. The medallion is worn on a ribbon with a small flower-like decoration (called a rosette) on the left side of the chest. Up to 60 people can receive this award each year.
• Chevalier (Knight): This is the first level. The medallion is worn on a ribbon on the left side of the chest. Up to 200 people can receive this award each year.

What Does the Award Look Like?

The award's medallion is shaped like an eight-pointed star. It is green and shiny, like enamel. For Commanders and Officers, it's made of gold-colored metal. For Knights, it's made of silver.

On the front, there's a white circle with the letters "A" and "L" (for Arts and Letters). Around this, a gold ring says République Française (French Republic). On the back, there's a golden circle with the head of Marianne, who is a symbol of France. Around her, a gold ring says Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. The Commander's medallion has a fancy twisted ring at the top.

The ribbon for the award is green with four white stripes.

Famous People Who Are Members

Ray Bradbury wearing the Commander's badge in 2009

If you are a French citizen and receive the Knight level, you usually have to wait at least 5 years before you can be promoted to Officer. To become a Commander from an Officer, you also need to wait 5 years. You also need to show even more great work than when you first received the award.

However, there's a special rule. If someone is already an Officer or Commander of the Legion of Honour (another very important French award), they can be directly promoted to an equal level in the Order of Arts and Letters. This means they don't have to start as a Knight or wait the usual 5 years.

See also

• Ribbons of the French military and civil awards
• Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, a similar award from Quebec, Canada.