As we reported earlier, the French Foreign Legion went through a whole series of changes of command this summer, with several of its regiments getting new commanding officers. One of them was the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI), the only Legion unit permanently stationed in South America. On July 23, 2026, Colonel Grossin handed over command of the regiment to Colonel Gauzence de Lastours at a ceremony held at its home base in Kourou, French Guiana, a French overseas department on the northeastern coast of the continent.
3e REI: Camp Fabert Returns to Service
In mid-March 2026, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI), based in Kourou, French Guiana, officially reopened Camp Fabert following several months of renovation work.
3e REI: 2026 Ariane 64 Rocket Launch
On February 12, 2026, legionnaires from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI), based in Kourou, French Guiana, helped secure the area around the Guiana Space Center (CSG) during Operation Titan. Their mission was to protect the spaceport and the Ariane 64 launch campaign from any external threat, including intrusion or disruption from outside the site.
1er REG: 1st Company in Guiana in 2025
From June to October 2025, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) were deployed to French Guiana, South America, as part of a short-term overseas mission (mission de courte durée, MCD).
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.
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.
2e REP: 4th Company in Guiana in 2025
Recently, in early February 2025, a short-term deployment (MCD) to South America started for a company of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP). The Legion paratroopers would stay there for four months.
3e REI: Visit from General Youchtchenko
In late November 2024, the French Foreign Legion’s commander-in-chief, General Cyrille Youchtchenko, came to visit the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) stationed in French Guiana, South America.