In late January 2026, General Cyrille Youchtchenko, the commander of the French Foreign Legion, visited the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) stationed in Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Christmas Challenges
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.
1er REC: 4th Squadron left Mayotte
At the end of October 2025, the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) departed Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The unit had been deployed there since July of this year, serving as the 1st Company of the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE).
Autonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
In northern Vietnam in the autumn of 1945, a new unit was established, bringing together the surviving members of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5e REI) who remained in the area at the time of Japan’s surrender. Though virtually unknown today (unlike the 5e REI’s much better-documented marching battalion – BM 5 – formed in China), it was the first Foreign Legion formation to reappear within the borders of French Indochina after World War II, reaffirming the Legion’s enduring presence in this territory.
Read moreAutonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
Foreign Legion: 2025 Change of Command took place in six regiments
During the summer of 2025, several regiments within the French Foreign Legion underwent significant leadership changes, reflecting the regular rotation of senior officers across this elite force. These appointments are part of the French Army’s standard two-year command rotation cycle and affect both mainland and overseas units.
Read moreForeign Legion: 2025 Change of Command took place in six regiments
1er REC: 4th Squadron in Mayotte in 2025
In late July 2025, the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) became the new 1st Company of the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) in Mayotte, Indian Ocean.
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.
5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
On March 3, 2025, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE), known as the “Regiment of Tonkin,” held its inaugural commemoration of the Siege of Tuyen Quang, marking 140 years since the Foreign Legion’s historic victory. This event, celebrated as the 5e RE’s new regimental day, highlights the enduring legacy of the 1885 battle during the Sino-French War.
Read more5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
1er REG: 3rd Company in Mayotte in 2024
Currently, in November 2024, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) are deployed to Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. See some images.