Paul McCartney received France’s highest public distinction this past weekend for his services to music.  In a short ceremony on Saturday, French President Francois Hollande made him  an officer of the Legion of Honor, praising his contribution to music and joking that he had always preferred The Beatles to the Rolling Stones.

Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor has three grades: chevalier, officer, and commander.  The honor carries social status but no money.

Previous recipients include actors Clint Eastwood and Robert De Niro and singers Liza Minneli and Lenny Kravitz.