French Medal: Creating a High-Quality Official Medal

To honor war heroes and those who fight daily to defend our homeland, the military medal is the best reward. This type of item is awarded to commend the achievements of an officer, a commander, a soldier, or an entire unit. Medals can also be used to recognize a long and successful career as a combatant. They symbolize the respect and consideration of the State towards its soldiers and model citizens. Do you want to know more about the manufacturing process of our French medals? Do you need to order custom official decorations? Explore the different items offered by AHK. We can also help you create unique insignias and other collectible items that will impress your clients and their audience.

Custom Manufacturing
The creation of medals has been at the heart of our business since 1994. We design and manufacture high-quality medals through a careful selection of materials.

Medals Designed in Our Workshop
Each medal is designed by a graphic artist in our design studio to offer you unique medals.

Ribbons and Cases for Enhancement
We design the best ribbons and cases with you, using suitable materials for custom results.

French Medal: Rely on Our Expertise for a High-Quality Result

As an experienced manufacturer of military medals, AHK crafts authentic awards that meet all state-issued standards.

France has many military and civilian decorations to thank and honor those who sacrifice in its defense. There are several types of medals distinguished by their aesthetic appearance and symbolism.

→ AHK designs and manufactures custom French military decorations:

The French reward system is divided into three categories:

• honorary orders;

• decorations for civilians or the military;

• commemorative medals.

Insignias in France are organized in a protocol order. Their award is given according to strict criteria governed by law. Each of these awards also meets an official standard in terms of shape, size, thickness, and finish.

→ What acts can be honored with a French medal?

To receive an official award, one must distinguish oneself through an act of exceptional courage and merit. This may occur during a dangerous rescue operation, for example. Thus, some orders can only be obtained by individuals who work within the military ranks, while others can be awarded to deserving citizens.

→ How are military medals awarded?

The issuance of a French medal follows a number of rules outlined in the law. Specific conditions must be met. They can be granted individually or collectively. For example, in the case of the medal for acts of courage and dedication, it can be awarded to a response unit that has carried out a perilous rescue operation where the interveners risked their lives. It is awarded following the publication of a specific decree that officially formalizes its awarding. This is when the recipient receives authorization to wear it.

Conversely, to receive the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit, there are no specific selection criteria. One must have led a life devoted to the nation's defense or have carried out a series of extraordinary courageous acts. These two honorary distinctions can only be worn after the decoration ceremony.

In the French institution, military distinctions are numerous. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, nearly thirty official medals were created in France. Among these, many examples are still awarded today. They thus carry national traditions that are centuries old. The French army and the official state institutions constantly need to order custom-made medals that they present to the military during decoration ceremonies or commemorative festivities. Some distinctions, however, are no longer awarded. But they are not forgotten. Many collectors are keenly interested in these pieces of great symbolic value. We create medals for you to be worn by decorated soldiers. But we also craft historical items that are true witnesses of national military heritage and can today be seen as collector's items or luxurious souvenirs.

Military medal France: an institution full of meaning and symbols

The French military medal is an institution of great importance. Established in 1852 by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, it ranks third in the list of French decorations.

However, the Order of Liberation, which is in second place, is no longer awarded, so it can be considered the second most important French medal. It was created to reward senior military officers as well as ordinary soldiers or sailors who distinguished themselves by exceptional acts during their years of service in the army.

Although the military medal in France is one of the most prestigious distinctions, there are other awards that symbolize the sacrifices and dedication of a soldier to their nation.

Medal manufacturer: your satisfaction is our priority

AHK is an experienced custom medal manufacturer. Since the creation of our company specializing in personalized items in 1994, we have continuously innovated and offered original products that reach a wide audience. But to meet the demands of the most meticulous clients, we have always focused all our expertise on the quality of our products. Thus, we offer a custom medal creation service.

Thanks to our forward-thinking approach and thirst for innovation, the world of medal sales and manufacturing holds no secrets for us. We offer our audience decoration and souvenir models that are always of top quality. The satisfaction of our partners and their clients is our greatest motivation.

But the final result of our work, although important, is not our only concern. The creation process of the item also remains central. This is why we only partner with manufacturers and suppliers who adhere to various official standards related to workers' rights.

That is why we offer you a seamless and transparent customer service that facilitates our relationship with our resellers:

• Quality charter to ensure the performance of our company
• Marketing tools for "resellers"
• Competent sales advisors
• Efficient logistics service
• Innovative prepress and production service

Gendarmerie medal: a prestigious decoration for an exceptional profession

Besides members of various army regiments, there are other professions equally involved in national defense. Gendarmes put their lives at risk daily to protect civilians and uphold the values of the French Republic. This heroism is also recognized with special decorations. A gendarmerie medal honors with distinction and prestige the dedication of those who have chosen to devote their lives to defending their country’s citizens.

To honor their merits, a national gendarmerie medal was instituted in 1949 and was awarded from that time to officers, non-commissioned officers, and military personnel of the French gendarmerie. Although its awarding conditions were revised in 2004, it has retained its symbolism over the years. Today, it remains a source of great pride for those who receive it.

It should be noted that the gendarmerie medal meets specific standards:

• Shape: round
• Material: patinated bronze
• Dimensions: 36 mm in diameter
• Obverse: features a helmet and sword surrounded by the inscription "Gendarmerie Nationale"
• Reverse: inscribed "courage, discipline" with a laurel wreath representation

Your medal is usually presented with its ribbon. The medal ribbon is an emblematic accessory full of meaning and symbolism.

In the case of a gendarmerie medal, it consists of a yellow band in the center, flanked on both sides by two thin white bands, blue bands, and red bands at the ends.

Specializing in custom-made medals, we also produce high-quality embroidered ribbons that you can order along with your engraved decoration. You can also order separate cords.

Other accessories can complete your selection:

• metal insignia;

• medal cups;

• custom cases...

Learn more

• Military decoration