In Castelnaudary (Southern France) on October 7, 2023, the 45th Foreign Legion Half Marathon took place. The annual race is organized by the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) in this Foreign Legion training regiment’s garrison town, and held on the first Saturday in October. The event includes a half marathon (13 miles / 21 km) and 10K race. Its first edition took place in 1977.
DOCUMENTS: 1847 1st Foreign Legion Regiment Honorable discharge certificate
A new part of the DOCUMENTS series. Today a very rare document is presented here, the oldest document related to the French Foreign Legion that is currently available on our website. It was issued as early as 1847 to a Belgian legionnaire, at the conclusion of his honest and faithful service in North Africa.
Read moreDOCUMENTS: 1847 1st Foreign Legion Regiment Honorable discharge certificate
2e REP: 2023 Saint Michael Day
In late September 2023, legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) celebrated their holiday, Saint Michael Day (or simply Saint Michel in France), and their patron, Saint Michael the Archangel.
1er REC: 5th Squadron in Southern France
See a short video showing the 4th Platoon, 5th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) during their military exercise in Southern France. During the exercise, the legionnaires familiarize with their equipment.
3e REI: 2023 Fourragere Day
In mid-September 2023, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) celebrated both the regimental holiday and the 50 years of the 3e REI’s presence in French Guiana. See some images.
120 years ago: A violent battle in Algeria
In early September 1903, a violent battle was fought in Algeria between men of a Foreign Legion mounted company and a Moroccan war party. The battle that lasted more than seven hours resulted in heavy casualties on the Legion side.
3e REI: 2023 Jaguar Course Documentary
See a new documentary produced directly by the French Foreign Legion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its presence in French Guiana, represented by the famous 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). The 3e REI arrived in French Guiana in mid-September 1973, after having left Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The more than an hour-long documentary details an important task of the regiment: one of the most difficult military courses in the world, the two-month jungle warfare Jaguar Course.
1er REC: 2023 Protecting Air Legend
During the last weekend, the legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), the only cavalry unit within the current Foreign Legion, were protecting the Air Legend airshow near Paris, as part of the counter-terrorist Operation Sentinelle.
2e REI: 2023 El Moungar Day
On September 2, 2023, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) commemorated the 120th anniversary of the 1903 Battle of El Moungar, a crucial moment in their history. See the images.
Legion: New Caledonia in August 2023
As we informed earlier, three regiments of the French Foreign Legion have deployed their men to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, since June 2023. The legionnaires should stay in this special overseas collectivity of France for four months, as is common practice for the so-called short duration mission (MCD). See some new images from taken during their deployment in August.
Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc (1922-2013)
Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc was a French Foreign Legion officer, mainly serving with airborne units. Best known for his active participation in the 1961 Generals’ Putsch, he died ten years ago, on August 26, 2013. The following article was written in his memory.