A proud Kylie, 39, said: "French culture has influenced me greatly and I have always had colossal respect for the arts and people of France."
Minogue, who is about to begin her world tour at the Paris Bercy arena in the night after the ceremony, added: "I am deeply honoured to be recognised in this way."
The Order of Arts and Letters was created to recognise the contributions that artists and writers have made to France and internationally, and in the past other stars that have been honoured this way include Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman.
