Gilbert Nicholas, 77, University Professor Emeritus of Modern History, was just knighted in the Legion of Honor for promotion on July 14, 2026. He was already a Knight of the National Order of Merit and awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
A professor for forty-five years, from primary and secondary education to the Institute of Political Studies (IEP) in Rennes, he was, among others, president of the Franco-German Center in Rennes for sixteen years.
Sealed in memory
Gilbert Nicolas is today president of the Youth, Memory and History Memorial Association, through which he brings together high schools and military musicians as part of his service as an Army Civil Reserve officer.
This year’s award is unusual: it was presented to him as part of a civic initiative created a year ago by General François Lecointre, Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor. Idea? Any citizen may nominate for first appointment to the Legion of Honor or the National Order of Merit a person whom he considers worthy of these distinctions.