Order of Saint Louis

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Order of Saint Louis Ordre de Saint-Louis
Knight's cross of the Order of Saint-Louis (Regency period 1715 - 1723)
Awarded by the King of France
Type	Dynastic order
Established	5 April 1693
Royal house	House of France
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholicism
Ribbon	Bright red
Eligibility	Military officers of Catholic faith with over 10 years of service, including non-nobles
Awarded for	Exceptional merit
Status	Abolished by the July Revolution in 1830 Recognised as dynastic order of chivalry by the ICOC
Founder	Louis XIV of France
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Saint Michael
Equivalent	Order of Military Merit Awarded to non-Catholics
Ribbon of the order

The Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis (French: Ordre Royal et Militaire de Saint-Louis) is a dynastic order of chivalry founded 5 April 1693^[1][2] by King Louis XIV, named after Saint Louis (King Louis IX of France). It was intended as a reward for exceptional officers, notable as the first decoration that could be granted to non-nobles. By the authorities of the French Republic, it is considered a predecessor of the Legion of Honour, with which it shares the red ribbon (though the Legion of Honour is awarded to military personnel and civilians alike).

Although officially abolished by the government authorities of the July Revolution in 1830 following the French Revolution, its activities carried on as a dynastic order of the formerly sovereign royal family. As such, it is still recognised by the International Commission on Orders of Chivalry.^[3]