On May 8, 2026, French Foreign Legion units commemorated the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, marking the definitive overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces in 1945. As every year, legionnaires took part in ceremonies held both in France and overseas to honor the veterans and fallen soldiers of the conflict.
Foreign Legion: 2026 Camerone Day
On April 30, 2026, the French Foreign Legion observed the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, the legendary action that forged the Legion’s identity and esprit de corps. On that day in Mexico in 1863, a company of 62 legionnaires led by Captain Jean Danjou stood against some 2,000 Mexican soldiers. The legionnaires refused to surrender and fought until only three of them remained standing. As every year, the anniversary was commemorated across all Legion units and garrisons, in France and abroad. Below are images from several of these ceremonies.
13e DBLE: Exercise Gevaudan 2026
In February 2026, the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE), a motorized infantry regiment based at Camp Larzac in southern France, led Exercise Gevaudan 2026 (Gévaudan 26) in the Lozère department.
13e DBLE: 2026 Night Combat Course
In January 2026, the 4th Company of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) completed a four-week specialist course focused on night combat operations, a core specialization of the company.
50 Years Ago: The Foreign Legion’s First Counterterrorism Operation
In early February 1976, two French Foreign Legion units participated in an counterterrorism operation to rescue 31 French children kidnapped by Somali militants in the Horn of Africa. The extraordinary operation constitutes a significant episode in the history of the French Foreign Legion.
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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.
13e DBLE: 2025 Reconnaissance Squadron Tactical Training
In late October and early November 2025, the Reconnaissance Squadron of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) conducted an intensive tactical training session at Camp des Garrigues, near Nîmes in southern France. This long-established French Army training area, now managed by the 2e REI, provides a rugged and realistic environment ideal for maneuver and live-fire exercises.
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13e DBLE: 2025 Heavy Mortar Platoon
In late August and early September 2025, heavy mortars from the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) conducted three weeks of intensive training at the CEITO military range at Camp Larzac, the regiment’s home base.
Foreign Legion: 2025 Bastille Day
On July 14, 2025, units of the French Foreign Legion took part in regional ceremonies across France to mark the country’s national holiday, Bastille Day. Each regiment participated in local commemorative events held in the vicinity of their respective garrisons, in coordination with civil and military authorities. In some cases, Legion elements were also present at celebrations held outside their usual locations.
2025 Bastille Day Military Parade
On July 14, 2025, the traditional military parade marking France’s national Bastille Day holiday was held along the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris, an event that has been regularly organized in the French capital since 1880. Four detachments of the Foreign Legion participated.
13e DBLE: Exercise Shakti 2025
In southern France, between June 18 and July 1, 2025, the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) hosted the eighth edition of the Indo-French joint military exercise, Shakti 2025, to enhance bilateral military cooperation.