Maya Selva Honored with the French Senate Medal

The founder of Maya Selva Cigars receives the French State Medal from Senator Christophe-André Frassa in recognition of her role in promoting Honduran handmade cigars and building cultural ties between the two nations.

Maya Selva, founder of Maya Selva Cigars, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of the French Senate in recognition of her contributions to strengthening the relationship between France and Honduras. The distinction was presented during a recent visit to the country by Christophe-André Frassa, a French senator representing citizens living abroad.

During the ceremony, Senator Frassa praised Selva for her role in promoting Honduran handmade cigars internationally and for building meaningful cultural and economic connections between the two nations.

He noted that the medal symbolizes the strong ties that unite France and Honduras, which Selva has helped reinforce through her work and international presence in the premium cigar industry.

As part of his visit, Senator Frassa toured key tobacco sites, including Copán and Danlí, widely recognized as Honduras’s cigar capital. Accompanied by Selva, the visit offered an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and tradition that define the Honduran cigar industry and its growing international reputation.

Born to a French mother and a Honduran father, Selva grew up in Tegucigalpa before moving to France at age 16 to continue her education. She returned to Honduras in 1991 and later founded Flor de Selva in 1995, with the vision of introducing European cigar enthusiasts to the distinctive terroir and flavors of Honduran tobacco.

Today, Maya Selva is widely recognized as an ambassador for Honduran cigars in international markets. The Medal of the French Senate acknowledges not only her entrepreneurial achievements but also her role in strengthening cultural ties between France and Honduras through craftsmanship, heritage, and a shared appreciation for premium cigars.