Foreign Legion: 2025 Victory in Europe Day | French Foreign Legion Information

On May 8, 2025, Foreign Legion units took part in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Honor guards from various regiments participated in ceremonies held primarily in their garrison towns, with several detachments also representing the Legion in other cities across their regions. Below are images from this year’s commemorations.

During these commemorations, the Legion’s honor guards paid tribute to the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in the fight for freedom. The Foreign Legion’s proud wartime legacy was also honored. In 1944–1945, three Legion units played a key role in the liberation of France, making a significant contribution to the final Allied victory.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: 2e REI in Nimes

2025 Victory in Europe Day celebrations in Nimes, home to the 2e REI.

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2025 Victory in Europe Day: 3e REI in French Guiana

2025 Victory in Europe Day celebrations held in French Guiana, where is stationed the famous 3e REI. The regiment was one of the three Foreign Legion units participating in the Liberation of France.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: 2e REP in Corsica

The 2e REP commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe across Corsica, from Bastia to Calvi, their garrison town.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: 1er REG in the Gard Department

Combat engineers from the 1er REG celebrated the 2025 Victory in Europe Day across the Gard Department.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: 2e REG in Pertuis

Colonel Roy and his men from the 2e REG took part in the 80th anniversary ceremonies in Pertuis, a commune in the in the southeastern Provence region.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: 5e RE in Mayotte

The first commemoration of the end of the war in Europe organized by the 5e RE in Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The regiment was re-created in Dzaoudzi in September 2024, following the reorganization of the former DLEM.

2025 Victory in Europe Day: GRLE in Paris

2025 Victory in Europe Day in Paris and the GRLE, the Legion’s recruiting unit.

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