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.
4e RE: 2026 Remise de Kepi blanc at the IILE in Puyloubier
In early March 2026, the Foreign Legion Institution for Disabled Veterans (IILE) in Puyloubier, southern France, hosted a White Kepi Ceremony (Remise de Képi blanc). During the ceremony, around thirty recruits from the 2nd Platoon, 1st Company of Enlisted Volunteers of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) donned the iconic White kepi, took the Legion’s traditional oath to serve with “Honor and Fidelity,” and officially became legionnaires.
Read more4e RE: 2026 Remise de Kepi blanc at the IILE in Puyloubier
4e RE: 2026 Remise de Kepi blanc at the Prytanée
On February 12, 2026, recruits from the 1st Platoon, 2nd Company of Enlisted Volunteers of the French Foreign Legion’s 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) officially became legionnaires during a White Kepi Ceremony (Remise de Képi blanc) held at the Prytanée national militaire in La Flèche, a small town in the Sarthe department of northwestern France.
4e RE: 2026 Remise de Kepi blanc in Strasbourg
On January 11, 2026, a White Kepi Ceremony (Remise de Kepi blanc) of the French Foreign Legion took place in Strasbourg, located in eastern France near the German border. Forty recruits from the 3rd Company of Enlisted Volunteers of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) officially became legionnaires.
4e RE: 2025 Foreign Legion Half Marathon
On October 4, 2025, the 47th edition of the Semi-Marathon de la Légion Étrangère took place in Castelnaudary, a town in southern France. This prestigious annual event, free and open to runners of all genders, attracted nearly 1,000 participants for the half marathon and 300 more for the 6.25 mi (10 km) race. As usual, it was organized by the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the school of the French Foreign Legion.
100 years ago: An important battle in Syria
100 years ago, on September 17, 1925, the Foreign Legion held a Syrian village against thousands of Druze fighters during the Great Syrian Revolt. Their costly but decisive stand became the first major French victory of the conflict and one of the defining moments in the Legion’s history in the French Levant (Syria, Lebanon).
4e RE: 2025 Remise de Kepi blanc in Charbonnières-les-Vieilles
In late August 2025, 42 enlisted volunteers from the French Foreign Legion’s 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) officially became legionnaires after completing a demanding 34-mile (55 km) march and receiving the iconic White kepi during a solemn ceremony in Charbonnières-les-Vieilles, central France.
Read more4e RE: 2025 Remise de Kepi blanc in Charbonnières-les-Vieilles
Foreign Legion: 2025 Change of Command took place in six regiments
During the summer of 2025, several regiments within the French Foreign Legion underwent significant leadership changes, reflecting the regular rotation of senior officers across this elite force. These appointments are part of the French Army’s standard two-year command rotation cycle and affect both mainland and overseas units.
Read moreForeign Legion: 2025 Change of Command took place in six regiments
4e RE: 2025 Remise de Kepi blanc in Les Cammazes
At the end of July 2025, the village of Les Cammazes in the Tarn department of southern France hosted a Remise de Képi blanc ceremony, during which a platoon of enlisted volunteers from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) took their oath, received the iconic white képi, and officially became legionnaires.
25 years ago: Tragic accident involving Foreign Legion recruits in August 2000
25 years ago, on August 7, 2000, a tragic accident occurred near Castelnaudary, France, when a truck carrying recruits from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the school of the French Foreign Legion, left the road and crashed into a tree.
Read more25 years ago: Tragic accident involving Foreign Legion recruits in August 2000
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.