Singer Marianne Faithfull was made a Commander of the Arts and Letters in France on Tuesday (22Mar11).
The 1960s icon was awarded the country's highest arts honour by Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand, who paid tribute to Faithfull's singing career at a ceremony in Paris.
The 64-year-old Brit, who now divides her time between Paris and Ireland, was selected for the honour in recognition of her contributions to the "enrichment of the French cultural inheritance".
She says, "I am very, very grateful to be so honoured. Since I started coming to Paris in 1964 the French have welcomed me and been very loving."
Previous recipients of the award include Stevie Wonder, Patti Smith, David Bowie and Sir Michael Caine.