155 years ago, in mainland France in early 1871, a tragic conflict with German states ended. For the Foreign Legion, the war marked a significant moment: for the first time in their history, the legionnaires fought on French soil. However, they had to face harsh conditions, bitter cold, and a war that was already lost.
1er RE: 2026 Regimental Exercise
In January 2026, the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in Aubagne, the French Foreign Legion’s “motherhouse” in southern France, held a regimental field exercise. Now wearing the new BME uniform but still carrying the trusty old FAMAS rather than the newer HK 416 F rifle (one of the last French Army units to do so), the 1er RE legionnaires completed a regimental march from Aubagne to Marseille, making their way through downtown in full kit. Then they moved on to live-fire range training, which wrapped up with a shared evening around the campfire, despite heavy rain. See the video.
55 Years Ago: The Creation of the Only Combined Engineer–Legion Battalion Ever to Serve in France
55 years ago, in early January 1971, a combined battalion was formed to bring together Foreign Legion pioneers and sappers of the French Army Engineer Corps. Its mission was to build the largest live-fire military training range in Western Europe. The battalion later built or modernized several other French military training areas, which are still regularly used today – not only by legionnaires.
85 years ago: Foreign Legion reconnaissance regiment was deactivated
85 years ago, in late September 1940, a Foreign Legion reconnaissance regiment was deactivated in Tunisia after taking part in the 1940 Battle of France. Little known today, it was the only Legion unit in that campaign composed entirely of active-duty legionnaires.
Read more85 years ago: Foreign Legion reconnaissance regiment was deactivated
1er REG: Exercise Terra Nostra 2025
Between March 17 and 28, 2025, the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) conducted Terra Nostra, a major open-terrain military exercise across the Gard department. Led by Colonel Rémy Chabaud, the regiment’s commanding officer, the exercise engaged nearly 500 soldiers, over 100 military vehicles, and a fleet of river boats in a complex, multi-phase scenario. The Foreign Legion’s YouTube channel recently published a video dedicated to this operation.
85 years ago: Foreign Legion regiment was constituted in France
85 years ago, on February 25, 1940, a Foreign Legion regiment was constituted in France. Its task was to defend the country against Nazi Germany during the first stage of the Second World War. A few weeks after its constitution, the men were heading for combat.
Read more85 years ago: Foreign Legion regiment was constituted in France
100 years ago: A sad campaign in France ended for the Foreign Legion
100 years ago, in late June 1871, three battalions of the Foreign Legion landed in Algeria, having returned from the very first deployment of the Legion in metropolitan France. The men spent eight months there and took part in a wretched campaign. However, these weren’t the only foreigners to participate in the then fighting on the French side. Also, the three battalions didn’t represent all units of the Legion that were to partake in the conflict.
Read more100 years ago: A sad campaign in France ended for the Foreign Legion