Foreign Legion: 2023 Camerone Day | French Foreign Legion Information

The 30th of April 2023 marked the 160th anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, an epic moment in the history of the French Foreign Legion in which its 65 men faced some 2,000 Mexican adversaries. The famous battle is portrayed as a pure example of bravery and the determination to fight to the finish, and gave the Legion its character and esprit de corps. Therefore, Camerone Day became the most important holiday for all current or former members of this exceptional military unit. See 2023 Camerone Day pictures from several Legion regiments.

Camerone 2023: 1er RE in Aubagne

Six thousand of spectators were watching the annual commemoration of the Battle of Camerone at the Quartier Vienot barracks (in Aubagne, Southern France), home of both the 1er RE and the COMLE. Father Yannick Lallemand became the first military priest designated as the bearer of the sacred wooden hand of Captain Danjou. A well-known personality, born in 1937, Father Lallemand spent many years in the Legion, mostly in the 2e REP (he is said to have jumped over Kolwezi in 1978), the 4e RE, and the 1er RE. He left the Legion in 2018.

This year, Albert II, Prince of Monaco or the Spanish Legion also participated in the event.

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Camerone 2023: 2e REI in Nimes

See images from the Quartier Colonel de Chabrières in Nimes, home to the 2e REI.

Camerone 2023: 1er REC at Camp Carpiagne

Camp Carpiagne near Marseille, and 2023 Camerone Day of the 1er REC.

Camerone 2023: 2e REP in Corsica

See images from the Camp Raffalli near Calvi, Corsica, home to the famous 2e REP.

Camerone 2023: 1er REG in Laudun

2023 Camerone Day in the Quartier General Rollet in Laudun, garrison town of the 1er REG.

Camerone 2023: 2e REG at Saint Christol

Images from the Quartier Maréchal Koenig near Saint Christol, the HQ of the 2e REG, the “Mountain Regiment.”

Camerone 2023: 3e REI in French Guiana

2023 Camerone Day in the Quartier General Rollet in Kourou, French Guiana, garrison town of the 3e REI.

Camerone 2023: 4e RE in Castelnaudary

Pictures from the Quartier Danjou in Castelnaudary, home to the 4e RE, the school of the Legion.

2023 Camerone Day in Castelnaudary, filmed by a female attendee. A military oath of the new legionnaires, and some nice American WWII military vehicules in the end. English subtitles.