National Order of Merit (France) - Insignia and Wear

Insignia and Wear

• Grand Croix - wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Grand Officier - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest, plus the star on the right chest;
• Commandeur - wears the badge on a ribbon around the neck;
• Officier - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
• Chevalier - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

The medal and the plaque of the Order were designed by the French sculptor Max Leognany.

• The medal of the Order is a six-armed Maltese asterisk in gilt (silver for chevalier) enamelled blue, with laurel leaves between the arms. The obverse central disc features the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française (Republic of France). The reverse central disc has a set of crossed tricolores, surrounded by the name of the Order and its foundation date. The badge is suspended by a laurel wreath.

• The star (plaque) is worn by Grand Croix (in gilt on the left breast) and Grand Officier (in silver on the right breast) respectively; it is a twelve-armed sunburst, with rays (formerly plain, now in blue enamel) between the arms. The central disc features the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française and the name of the Order, and in turn surrounded by a wreath of laurel.

• The ribbon for the medal is a solid blue field. For the grade of Officier and above, a rosette is centered in the field. For the grades of Commandeur, Grand Officier, and Grand Croix, the rosette is centered bar of silver; silver and gold, and a solid gold respectively.