Eng/French/Nat
US Rock star Tina Turner has been awarded France's most prestigious arts honour.
The Grammy award-winning singer was made a Chevalier of Arts and Letters at a glittering ceremony at Paris' Palais de Congres.
A visibly moved Tina Turner faced the cameras side by side with French Minister of Culture Philippe Douste-Blazy for the award ceremony.
The Medaille de Chevalier des Arts et Lettres is only awarded to artists who are considered to have contributed hugely towards popular culture in France.
The American singer has a house in the south of France and has performed many times in Paris and other French cities.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
It's a very special honour for me because France is very special for me. I can honestly say as a first memory that I received my first encore right here in Paris and so it has become a place for me that I have a home here in France and I want to thank all the French people for this great honour.
SUPER CAPTION: Tina Turner
Turner joins a select group of foreign born artists including Bob Dylan, Sharon Stone, B.B. King, Jerry Lewis, Clint Eastwood and Jane Birkin.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I feel that I am accepted. I feel that I stand with the people who have received such an honour and talent such as what is needed in this business. I feel proud of myself tonight.
SUPER CAPTION: Tina Turner
SOUNDBITE: (French)
I think Tina Turner is someone extraordinary because all her life she has managed to overcome adversity. To begin with, she was the first black artist to sing where blacks didn't sing, she fought against this relegation, she fought against violence -- the violence of her own life, the violence of the lives of others close to her. And then she sold 30 million records.
SUPER CAPTION: Philippe Douste-Blazy,Minister of Culture
Turner kicks off a European tour to promote her new album, called "Wildest Dreams", in May 3 in Paris.