Bono takes time out from holidaying in the South of France this evening for a trip to Paris to pick up the country's highest cultural honour.

The U2 singer is set to be made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).

Other recipients of the title include David Bowie, Michael Caine and Clint Eastwood, whilst the Dublin native is no stranger to these state honours himself: he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 and, along with his bandmates, was granted the Freedom of Dublin City in 2000.

On a musical note, U2 put the finishing touches to their 13th studio album at the start of July.