In mid-December 2025, a series of Challenges de Noël (Christmas Challenges) took place in regiments of the French Foreign Legion, both in France and abroad. These anual events are friendly competitions between companies of the same regiment. They are not about winning alone, but about building fighting spirit, teamwork, and unit cohesion. For hard-working legionnaires, the challenges also bring a moment of fun and relaxation. They are usually organized shortly before Christmas.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Armistice Day
On November 11, 2025, detachments of the French Foreign Legion participated in ceremonies marking Armistice Day, honoring the memory of military veterans and those who died in the line of duty.
3e REI: 2025 Fourragere Day
On October 17, 2025, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) gathered in Kourou, French Guiana, to celebrate the regimental day, Fourragere Day.
3e REI: 2025 Elite SAED Selection
The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) of the Foreign Legion in French Guiana, South America, is currently conducting its annual selection for new members of the elite Dismounted Combat Support Platoon (SAED). This demanding process identifies those capable of operating particularly in tropical jungle terrain, where the 3e REI is primarily deployed.
3e REI: 2025 Vega-C Rocket Launch
On July 25, 2025, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) of the French Foreign Legion ensured perimeter security and area protection during the successful launch of the European Vega-C rocket from the Guiana Space Center.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Bastille Day
On July 14, 2025, units of the French Foreign Legion took part in regional ceremonies across France to mark the country’s national holiday, Bastille Day. Each regiment participated in local commemorative events held in the vicinity of their respective garrisons, in coordination with civil and military authorities. In some cases, Legion elements were also present at celebrations held outside their usual locations.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Victory in Europe Day
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.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Camerone Day
April 30, 2025, marked the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, the defining event in the French Foreign Legion’s history, when 62 legionnaires under the command of Captain Jean Danjou faced a force of 2,000 Mexican troops. Refusing to surrender, they fought to the very end, with only three able-bodied legionnaires left standing. Commemorations of this anniversary were held across all Legion units and garrisons, both in France and abroad. The following post includes images from several of these ceremonies.
3e REI: Fer de Lance 2025 in French Guiana
From March 24 to April 5, 2025, Exercise Fer de Lance 2025 took place in French Guiana. The goal of this international training was to improve teamwork and fast response in difficult situations like natural disasters or security crises. The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) participated.
3e REI: 2025 Foum Zabel Challenge
In French Guiana (South America) in March 2025, the HQ and Logistics Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) organized a sports challenge in honor of their predecessors who, from October 1927 to March 1928, constructed the famous Foum Zabel Tunnel in Morocco, North Africa.
Foreign Legion: 2024 Christmas Challenges
Christmas Eve marks the second most important holiday in the French Foreign Legion. Before the actual celebrations, each Foreign Legion regiment organizes Christmas challenges. The challenges help to maintain cohesion within the units and provide a bit of fun for their hard-working men. See several images taken in different Foreign Legion regiments during the Christmas challenges that took place in late 2024.