5 . T H E
M U S E U M O F
T H E L E G I O N
O F H O N O R
A N D T H E
O R D E R S O F
C H I V A L R Y
2 RUE DE LA LÉGION
D'HONNEUR
Located in the Hotel de Salm , opposite the Musee
d ' Orsay , the Museum of the Legion of Honor and the
Order of Chivalry is ready to display the world ' s
unique collection of medals . Interactive screens tell
the history of French awards since the Middle Ages
and represent the current functioning of national
orders .
In 1911 , the passionate collector and two members
of the Grand Chancellery organized an exhibition of
French ornaments and the Legion of Honor in the
Museum of Decorations . The success of the
exhibition prompted the idea of creating a museum
in the Palace of the Legion of Honor .
After the First World War , the former wing of the
palace was transformed into a museum by the great
chancellor - general , Dubai , who sought to honour
the fame of French citizens and foreigners affected
by the war . The reconstruction of the building , led
by architect Jean de la Molinari , a native of Rheims ,
was financed by charitable contributions from the
Legion of Honor and holders of various military
medals .
In 1932 the Museum was expanded to accommodate
foreign collections , which were gradually added to
the collection for many years .
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the Legion of
Honor in 2006 , the museum was completely
renovated thanks to sponsors . It was opened by
French President Jacques Chirac . The exhibition
space was doubled , and the rebuilt rooms retained
the original charm of the interior architecture .