Winston Churchill, Celine Dion, Salma Hayek, Monica Bellucci — And Now Suren Papikyan: France’s Top Legion of Honour Goes to Armenia’s Defense Minister

Armenia’s Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan has been awarded one of France’s highest national honors, the Legion of Honour.

The award was granted by decree of French President Emmanuel Macron. Papikyan shared the news publicly, confirming that the distinction had been officially bestowed upon him.

“The decoration was presented to me by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who highly appreciated my significant contribution to the development of Armenia–France relations,” Papikyan wrote.

The Legion of Honour, known in French as the Légion d’honneur, is the highest order of merit in France. It was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and remains the country’s most prestigious award for both military and civilian achievements. The decoration is given to individuals who have made important contributions to France or supported values that the French Republic considers important, including diplomacy, culture, science, and international cooperation.

Over more than two centuries, the Legion of Honour has been awarded to a wide range of individuals from across the world. Among well-known recipients are former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. General and statesman George C. Marshall, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, all recognized for their roles in international politics and global affairs.

The award has also been granted to cultural figures such as singer Celine Dion, Italian actress Monica Bellucci, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, and Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek. In the field of science and intellectual achievement, recipients have included Nobel Prize-winning physicist Louis de Broglie. In addition, countless soldiers who took part in major historical events, including World War I and World War II, have received the decoration for their service.

The Legion of Honour is divided into five ranks, from Knight to Grand Cross, reflecting different levels of distinction. While the rank awarded to Papikyan was not specified, receiving the decoration itself places him among a long list of individuals who have been formally recognized by France.

Papikyan’s recognition comes at a time when cooperation between Armenia and France has been expanding across multiple areas, including defense and political relations. The award highlights his role in strengthening these ties and reflects France’s acknowledgment of his contribution to developing Armenia–France relations.

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