CARDS series. The second part, again focusing on formal dinner invitations – menu cards. As in the first part, these invitation cards were produced by units of the French Foreign Legion for special occasions such as Camerone Day, Bastille Day (July 14), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas.
Menu cards served as formal invitations to dinners, typically addressed to senior guests such as officers from higher Legion command, neighboring garrison commanders, or local civilian authorities. What makes them particularly interesting is that many were illustrated by legionnaires themselves, reflecting both individual skill and a strong visual tradition within the Legion — while also preserving the names of units that no longer exist in the same form today.
The following gallery presents another selection of menu cards issued by Foreign Legion units. Spanning the years 1924 to 1971, the examples below, like those featured in the previous part, highlight both the Legion’s traditions and the creativity of the legionnaires who produced them.
Click on the previews to enlarge them:
Menu card for a Christmas (Noël) meal, issued in December 1924 by the HQ Company (CHR), 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) in Fez, Morocco. At the time, this company was led by Lt. Goyer.A close-up of the 1924 Christmas Menu card of the HQ Company (CHR), 3e REI.Hand-painted menu card from 1948 for Armistice Day, issued by the 3rd Transit Company (CP3) of the Foreign Legion Joint Depot (DCRE) in Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria (the main garrison of the Legion at that time). The card has been published with the kind permission of 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.Another DCRE menu card for 1948 Armistice Day. It was issued by the unit’s HQ Company. Collection of Krzysztof Schramm.Back of the HQ Company/CHR 1948 menu card.Similar-looking menu card for 1948 Armistice Day, this time issued by the NCO’s Mess and Club of the DCRE, based in Sidi Bel Abbès. Collection of Krzysztof Schramm.Menu card marking the 30th anniversary of the 1919 award of the Military Medal to the RMLE (now 3e REI). It was issued in June 1949 by the Foreign Legion Brasserie (restaurant/pub), 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (4e REI) in Fez, Morocco. Collection of Krzysztof Schramm.Foreign Legion Brasserie’s 1949 menu card – Part II.Foreign Legion Brasserie’s 1949 menu card – Part III.Menu card from 1951 for Camerone Day (commemorating the legendary 1863 Battle of Camerone), issued by the 3rd Foreign Legion Repair Company (3e CRLE) in Indochina. The little-known unit later became the 3e CMRLE.Interior of the 3e CRLE menu card.Menu card for 1952 Camerone Day, issued by another repair unit, the 2nd Foreign Legion Armored Vehicles Repair Company (2e CREBLE), also in Indochina.Interior of the 2e CREBLE menu card.Menu card for a Christmas meal, issued in December 1954 by the Foreign Legion Smaller Depot (PDLE). Based in Oran, Algeria, the unit served as an intermediate administrative office/transit depot between France and the Legion headquarters in Sidi Bel Abbès. Published here with the kind permission of a private collector, who wished to remain anonymous.1956 Armistice Day menu card, issued by the 1st Foreign Regiment’s Quartier Vienot, the Legion’s historic headquarters in Sidi Bel Abbès, named after Colonel Vienot. Private collection.Inside of the 1956 Armistice Day menu card.Menu card for 1957 Christmas, issued by the Foreign Legion Smaller Depot (PDLE) in Oran.Inside of the 1957 Christmas menu card.Menu card from 1958 for Bastille Day (French National Day, 14 July), issued by the 1er RE’s Quartier Vienot. Private collection.Inside of the 1958 Bastille Day menu card.Menu card for 1967 Camerone, issued by the Foreign Legion veteran association (AALE) in Vichy. Collection of Krzysztof Schramm.Menu card for a 1971 New Year meal, issued by the Legion’s Institution for Disabled Veterans (IILE) in Puyloubier. It was painted by famous Adjudant Rudolf Burda, a legionnaire and a painter. Private collection.Inside of the 1971 menu card.Bonus item. 1974 Camerone Day decorative linen with the festive menu, issued by the NCO’s Mess of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) in Corsica. Private collection.2e REP’s 1974 Camerone Day decorative linen with the festive menu – Part II.
