France has named 589 individuals to its annual Legion of Honour promotion ahead of the 14 July national celebrations, according to a decree published in the Journal Officiel. The list is led symbolically by Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old survivor of a decade of drug-facilitated rapes who became a prominent voice against sexual violence after insisting her 2024 trial in Avignon be held in public. Pelicot is elevated to the rank of Chevalier for what the Grand Chancellery called her "commitment to the general interest", recognising her decision to waive anonymity and galvanise a nationwide debate on gender-based violence. Other high-profile honourees include historian Mona Ozouf and former Constitutional Council president Pierre Mazeaud, both awarded the order’s highest dignity of Grand-croix, as well as U.S. musician and designer Pharrell Williams, writer Marc Levy and actress Léa Drucker, who receive the Chevalier badge. Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is France’s top civil and military distinction. This year’s civilian promotion comprises 497 Chevaliers, 68 Officiers, 18 Commandeurs, four Grands officiers and two Grands-croix, recognising contributions that range from culture and science to public service and civic activism.