Florent Masse promoted to Officer of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Florent Masse, professor of the practice in French and Italian and director of L’Avant-Scène, the French Theater Workshop, has been promoted to the rank of Officer of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. 

This promotion was conferred in February 2026 by Rachida Dati, French minister of culture.

Established in 1957, the order recognizes eminent artists and writers, as well as people who have contributed significantly to the arts in France and throughout the world. The award is granted at three levels: Commander, Officer, and Knight.

In 2017, Masse was named Knight (Chevalier) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French Minister of Culture Audrey Azoulay for his promotion of French culture in the United States. Most members must wait at least five years to become eligible for promotion between ranks and must demonstrate continued meritorious service at each level, according to the French ministry.

In 2001, Masse founded L’Avant-Scène, the French Theater Workshop and has since produced nearly 80 full-length productions of popular plays in the French theatrical canon. He has served since 2012 as artistic director of Seuls en Scène, Princeton French Theater Festival, which he produces annually in partnership with the Lewis Center for the Arts. In 2024, Masse organized, produced and directed “A Celebration of Twenty Years of French Theater at Princeton,” marking the 20th anniversary of  L’Avant-Scène.

Additionally, he has initiated several student enrichment programs abroad and recruited prominent French theater artists to Princeton to perform, direct or teach courses.

Masse is among a distinguished group of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honorees that includes George Clooney, T.S. Eliot, Stevie Wonder, Audrey Hepburn, Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Elton John, Tim Burton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jorde Luis Borges, Meryl Streep and Marcel Marceau.