Knighthoods and the French Republic

Dear Friends,

I just saw on the news that a local lady is to be "knighted" and will
receive a medal for her work towards the preservation of French culture. I
am unfamiliar with this practice, and was wondering if this sounds correct?

Stan Brown...

One can become a Chevalier (knight) of the Legion of Honor. Perhaps
that's what the news report referred to. This is a very high honor
conferred by the French Republic.

(I assume the equivalent female rank is Dame, but I know next to
nothing about the operation of the Legion of Honor.)

Francois R. Velde...

The equivalent female rank is chevalier.

To use the word "knighted" is somewhat misleading, since in English it
connotes the grant of a relatively higher honor (an English knighthood
is more rare, just as it is more rare than a MBE), and the Legion of
Honor makes no pretense of having any links through tradition or otherwise
with medieval knighthood. Recipients are not called "Sir" in French or
in English.

I am aware that newspapers are often incorrect about such issues.

cj.buyers...

I would guess that the lady has received the lowest class, termed
"chevalier", in the Order of Arts and Letters. It is awarded in large
numbers. French culture, in great need of preservation, it seems.