The 'Terms of Endearment' star was given the prize at a gala hosted by France's Minister of Culture and Communication Frederic Mitterrand in Paris on Monday.
MacLaine said that she was very proud to receive the Legion of Honour, which was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barbra Streisand, Blue Velvet director David Lynch and Walt Disney are among the previous recipients of the Legion of Honour.
MacLaine was also given a lifetime achievement award earlier this week while attending the 37th annual Deauville American Film Festival.
In April, MacLaine revealed that she's "not interested" in being a celebrity.
