Snoopy Creator Schulz Receives French Honor

PARIS — Cartoonist Charles Schulz drew lofty praise from the keepers of French culture today as they lavishly celebrated the 40th birthday of America’s favorite floppy-eared dog, the irrepressible Snoopy.

The beagle was glorified with a giant retrospective at the Decorative Arts Museum. French Culture Minister Jack Lang named Schulz a “commander of arts and letters,” one of France’s highest awards for excellence in the arts.

“Thank you for being the creator of Snoopy, full of humor and with a zest for life,” Lang told Schulz. “Your character is both mythical and hedonistic and he has taken over our collective consciousness and become a part of our everyday lives.”

Schulz, 67, beaming but appearing slightly embarrassed by all the fuss, said that when Snoopy was a World War I flying ace, he asked him how he learned to speak French.

“He said he had a small tourist phrase book but he told me you only really need to know one word, and that is merci, “ Schulz said in English.

The show opens to the public Wednesday and runs through April 22.