Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion is an integral part of the French Land Army (Armée de Terre) and therefore a component of NATO forces. In 2026, it numbers around 9,500 officers, NCOs, and legionnaires from 156 nationalities and accounts for about 12% of France’s Land Operational Force (FOT).
55 Years Ago: The Creation of the Only Combined Engineer–Legion Battalion Ever to Serve in France
55 years ago, in early January 1971, a combined battalion was formed to bring together Foreign Legion pioneers and sappers of the French Army Engineer Corps. Its mission was to build the largest live-fire military training range in Western Europe. The battalion later built or modernized several other French military training areas, which are still regularly used today – not only by legionnaires.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Christmas Challenges
In mid-December 2025, a series of Challenges de Noël (Christmas Challenges) took place in regiments of the French Foreign Legion, both in France and abroad. These anual events are friendly competitions between companies of the same regiment. They are not about winning alone, but about building fighting spirit, teamwork, and unit cohesion. For hard-working legionnaires, the challenges also bring a moment of fun and relaxation. They are usually organized shortly before Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026
Another year is coming to an end, and it went by incredibly fast. This is the thirteenth year in a row since 2012, when this online project started. So it is the right time for a new annual summary.
2e REP: First Serval armored vehicles
In Corsica in late November 2025, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) received its first Serval light armored vehicles. The Legion paratroopers have started technical and tactical training to learn how to integrate this new equipment, which will replace the older VAB (Armored Vanguard Vehicle) that has been in service since the late 1970s.
1er REG, 2e REG: 2025 Saint Barbara Day
In early December 2025, the combat engineers of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) of the French Foreign Legion once again commemorated their patron, Saint Barbara (Sainte Barbe in French).
Major Gérald: Fundamentals of Close-Quarter Combat with a weapon
In early December 2025, the French Foreign Legion released a new training video on its official YouTube channel featuring Major Gérald, the popular senior non-commissioned officer of the Legion. In this new video, Major Gérald introduces the fundamentals of close-quarter combat with a weapon: specifically, an assault rifle with a fixed bayonet.
Read moreMajor Gérald: Fundamentals of Close-Quarter Combat with a weapon
70 years ago: Foreign Legion airborne regiment was deactivated
70 years ago, in late November 1955, a Foreign Legion airborne regiment was deactivated in Algeria after training and supplying drafts for hard-fighting Legion parachute battalions in Indochina. Although a largely overlooked formation today, almost every Legion paratrooper who fought in the First Indochina War passed through its ranks.
Read more70 years ago: Foreign Legion airborne regiment was deactivated
1er REG: Retirement of the Legion’s only British officer
In late November 2025, the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) of the French Foreign Legion announced the retirement of Captain Stephen H., an exceptional figure in today’s Legion and its only serving British officer in recent decades.
Read more1er REG: Retirement of the Legion’s only British officer
100 years ago: A heroic battle in Lebanon
100 years ago, in the Middle East in late November 1925, the French Foreign Legion cavalrymen held a fortress in a Lebanese village, then besieged by thousands of Druze fighters. For the Legion cavalrymen, the battle became their own “Camerone”, a last-stand defense carried through to the very end.
2e REG: Martinique in 2025
Since early October 2025, a company from the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) have been deployed on a four-month mission to Martinique, as part of the regular troop rotation in the Caribbean.