Singer Shakira has become the first Colombian to be honoured with France's Chevalier De L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres medal.

The 34-year-old received the award from the French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand in Cannes Saturday.

"I am so humbled to receive this honour in a country like France that has shared an important cultural legacy with the rest of the world," Shakira posted on her official site.

The medal recognises significant contributions to the arts and literature and other recipients of the awards are T.S. Eliot, George Clooney and Clint Eastwood.