Foreign Legion: 2025 FSALE Congress | French Foreign Legion Information

Between June 13 and 15, 2025, the French town of Castelnaudary, garrison of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), became the heart of the Foreign Legion family, as it hosted the national congress of the Federation of Foreign Legion Veterans’ Associations (Fédération des Sociétés d’Anciens de la Légion Etrangère, FSALE). View the photos and videos documenting the event.

Organized by the local Amicale (veterans’ association), under the leadership of retired Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Freudenreich, the event welcomed nearly 400 former legionnaires from across France and countries including Chile, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Romania. This prestigious gathering was supported by the 4th Foreign Regiment and its commanding officer, Colonel Montull, and highlighted the Legion’s enduring values of solidarity, tradition, and fraternity.

Traditionally held every three years, the congress featured a rich two-day program of military and cultural events designed to honor the legacy of the Legion and strengthen enduring bonds between veterans and the active legionnaires. It opened on Friday, June 13, with a warm welcome at the historic Château des Cheminières, a local castle located within the 4th Foreign Regiment’s camp. It was followed by a guided presentation of the regiment’s instructional facilities. The highlight of the day was a solemn military ceremony in the town center, featuring a troop inspection and the symbolic presentation of white képis to new legionnaires. A reception hosted by the Mayor of Castelnaudary and a concert of the famous Foreign Legion’s military band capped off the first day.

Saturday, June 14, was marked by both official and cultural activities. While spouses enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Canal du Midi, a historical waterway, former legionnaires attended the FSALE General Assembly. This was a formal working session dedicated to reviewing the federation’s recent activities, discussing key organizational matters, and setting priorities for the future. During the session, General Jean Maurin, President of the FSALE and former Commander of the Foreign Legion, addressed the assembly, followed by General Cyrille Youchtchenko, the current Commander of the Legion. General Youchtchenko, who had previously endorsed Castelnaudary as the host location, provided participants with an update on the current status and key developments within the Foreign Legion.

A ceremonial lunch followed, along with an optional tour of the medieval city of Carcassonne. The evening concluded with a gala dinner held in the regiment’s gymnasium. During the evening event, the President of FSALE awarded honors to several distinguished members of the federation in recognition of their service and dedication.

The congress wrapped up on Sunday, June 15, with a religious service at the chapel of the 4th Foreign Regiment. For many participants, the weekend served as a meaningful reminder of their shared values and reinforced the unique spirit that defines the Foreign Legion family.

PHOTOS. They were provided to our website by Krzysztof Schramm, historian of Poland’s Foreign Legion veteran association (A.A.A.L.E. de Pologne) and author of Zygmunt Jatczak: I Regret Nothing.

FSALE - Foreign Legion - Congress - Castelnaudary - 2025