Yahoo is reporting that earlier today Patti Smith recieved a top cultural honor in France. The influential 58 year old punk poet was presented with the insignia of Commander of the Order of the Arts and Letters by Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres. A statement from the ministry noted Smith's appreciation for 19th century French poet Arthur Rimbaud and praised her as "one of the most influential artists in women's rock 'n' roll." Smith, who was presented with the award at an AIDS benefit concert in Paris, commented to the Associated Press "I have vowed to live up to this honor in my work and my conduct. I can't explain what I feel like. It has uplifted me, and I will work very hard to earn it."