Foreign Legion: 2025 Camerone Day | French Foreign Legion Information

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.

Camerone 2025: 1er RE in Aubagne

As usual, the main ceremony was held at Quartier Vienot in Aubagne, the headquarters of the Legion and home to its 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in southern France. This year’s commemoration marked the 162nd anniversary of the legendary 1863 Battle of Camerone, and was presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron, whose presence underscored the enduring national significance of the Foreign Legion.

As tradition dictates, the wooden hand of Captain Danjou—one of the Legion’s most sacred relics—was proudly paraded. This year, the honor of carrying the hand was given to Colonel Joseph Lhopitallier, a former officer of the elite 2e REP in Algeria. He was accompanied by Adjudant Alfred Brosch and Sergeant Vittorio D’Onofrio, both veterans of the legendary 1er REP in Algeria. Their selection reflected this year’s central theme: the 70th anniversary of the Legion’s parachute regiments.

The ceremony, which featured the traditional Pioneers and military band, was attended by a large and appreciative crowd of spectators. During the event, Father Yannick Lallemand, long-time chaplain of the Legion and a veteran of the 1978 Battle of Kolwezi, was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor by the President of the Republic. In 2023, Father Lallemand had the distinct honor of carrying Captain Danjou’s wooden hand during that year’s Camerone Day ceremony.

Camerone 2025: 2e REI in Nimes

This year, the ceremony was held by the 2e REI in the ancient Roman amphitheater in Nîmes, the regiment’s garrison town, while the rest of the celebrations, including the traditional “Miss Képi blanc” contest, took place at Quartier Colonel de Chabrières, the unit’s barracks.

Camerone 2025: 2e REP in Corsica

Images from Camp Raffalli near Calvi, Corsica, home to the famous 2e REP, currently the only airborne unit of the Legion.

Camerone 2025: 1er REG in Laudun

2025 Camerone Day at Quartier General Rollet in Laudun, garrison town of the 1er REG, with a military band detached from the 1st Spahis.

Camerone 2025: 2e REG at Saint Christol

Quartier Maréchal Koenig near Saint Christol, home to the 2e REG, the “Mountain Regiment” of the Legion. The Carabinieri Band of Monaco came to perform at the ceremony, which was presided by General Catar from the 27th Mountain Brigade.

Camerone 2025: 4e RE in Castelnaudary

Camerone 2025 commemorated at Quartier Danjou in Castelnaudary, home of the 4e RE, the Legion’s training regiment.

Camerone 2025: 3e REI in French Guiana

Images from Quartier General Rollet in Kourou, French Guiana, garrison town of the 3e REI.

Camerone 2025: 5e RE in Mayotte

The first commemoration of the Battle of Camerone organized by the 5e RE in Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The regiment was re-created in Dzaoudzi in September 2024, following the reorganization of the former DLEM.

Camerone 2025: 13e DBLE at Camp Larzac

The 13e DBLE and 2025 Camerone Day at Camp Larzac near La Cavalerie.

Foreign Legion - Camerone 2025: 13e DBLE at Camp Larzac

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