Lance Armstrong faces the prospect of losing his Legion of Honor medal after French officials said they will open an inquiry following his admission that he doped during his Tour de France wins.

Armstrong was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in 2005 in recognition of his seven consecutive Tour victories. The American admitted to doping during all of those wins and has been stripped of the titles.

Armstrong always denied using drugs throughout his career but owned up to doping in a television interview with Oprah Winfrey in January.

Francois Sourd, top aide to the head of the Legion of Honor, told The Associated Press by telephone on Monday that "an inquiry will be opened." The investigation is expected to last several weeks.