5e RE: Regimental Day in 2026 | French Foreign Legion Information

On March 3, 2026, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) of the French Foreign Legion celebrated its regimental day in Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. The ceremony honored the memory of the legionnaires who fought and won the Siege of Tuyen Quang in 1885, during the Sino-French War in what is now northern Vietnam — a battle whose name is inscribed on the regiment’s flag.

The formal ceremony took place at Quartier Cabaribère, the 5e RE’s camp in Dzaoudzi. The ceremony included honors to the regimental colors, a reading of the battle account, and the awarding of decorations. It was presided over by Major General Putz, himself a former Foreign Legion officer who commanded the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) from 2014 to 2016. He is now assigned to the office of the Inspector of the French Army. Also in attendance was Mr. Bieuville, the senior representative of the French government on the island. Colonel Voyer, the 5e RE’s commanding officer, then led his troops on parade.

This marks the second time the 5th Foreign Regiment has commemorated the Siege of Tuyen Quang as its official regimental day. The regiment, historically known as the “Regiment of Tonkin,” was reactivated in Mayotte in 2024 after more than two decades of inactivity. It adopted the anniversary of the 1885 battle as its regimental day in 2025.

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