2e REP: 2025 Saint Michael’s Day | French Foreign Legion Information

On September 21, 2025, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) of the French Foreign Legion commemorated Saint Michael the Archangel, their patron saint, at Camp Raffalli in Calvi, Corsica. The celebration, held a week earlier than usual, featured a formal military ceremony.

The ceremony was presided over by General Jean-Michel Meunier, Deputy Chief of Operations of the French Armed Forces General Staff and a former commander of the regiment (2014-2016). It was attended by General Cyrille Youchtchenko, Commander of the French Foreign Legion, and nine former regimental commanders, including Generals Puga, Dary, and Maurin. They were invited by Colonel Raphaël Oudot de Dainville, the current commanding officer of the 2e REP. A detachment of 2e REP anciens (veterans) also participated in the celebrations.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, the regiment held the Saint Michael’s Day Challenge, which included a regimental cross-country run, a foot orienteering course, an aquathlon, an obstacle course, and a shooting competition.

The Legion paratroopers has honored Saint Michael annually since 1948, when the Legion’s airborne units were activated in Indochina and Algeria. This tradition maintains their unity and esprit de corps.

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