The medal, which is the highest decoration awarded by the French government, was signed by French Minister of Culture Fleur Pellerin.
The decoration was presented to Dowlatabadi, 74, by French Ambassador to Tehran Bruno Foucher at his residence.
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte on 19 May 1802. The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
Ambassador Foucher said French intellectuals and readers became more familiar with Dowlatabadi's works after they were translated into French and widely published in that country.
Dowlatabadi is celebrated as one of the most important writers in contemporary Iran, particularly for his use of language. He elevates rural speech, drawing on the rich, lyrical tradition of Persian poetry.
He is the author of 'Kelidar,' a saga about a Kurdish nomadic family. It is written in 10 books and 3,000 pages.
The 'Missing Soluch,' the 'Colonel' and the 'Thirst' are other works of the veteran author.
Dowlatabadi has, so far, received the Haus der Kulturen Berlin International Literary Award (in 2009), The Man Asian Literary Prize (2011) and the Jan Michalski Prize for Literature (2013).
In August 2014, a commemorative postage stamp was issued for the writer in Iran.
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Tehran, Nov 17, IRNA – Prominent Iranian writer Mahmoud Dowlatabadi was honored Sunday evening with Franc's Chevalier of the Legion of Honor during a ceremony held here by the French embassy.
