» legion | French Foreign Legion Information

Autonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946

October 17, 2025 · Posted in 5re, history, indochina, legion

In northern Vietnam in the autumn of 1945, a new unit was established, bringing together the surviving members of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5e REI) who remained in the area at the time of Japan’s surrender. Though virtually unknown today (unlike the 5e REI’s much better-documented marching battalion – BM 5 – formed in China), it was the first Foreign Legion formation to reappear within the borders of French Indochina after World War II, reaffirming the Legion’s enduring presence in this territory.

Foreign Legion: 2025 FSALE Congress

June 20, 2025 · Posted in 4re, fsale, legion, veterans

Between June 13 and 15, 2025, the French town of Castelnaudary, garrison of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), became the heart of the Foreign Legion family, as it hosted the national congress of the Federation of Foreign Legion Veterans’ Associations (Fédération des Sociétés d’Anciens de la Légion Etrangère, FSALE). View the photos and videos documenting the event.

80 years ago: Second World War ended for legionnaires in Europe

May 8, 2025 · Posted in history, legion, wwii

Between 1939 and 1945, the French Foreign Legion men saw nearly every front of the Second World War – from Norway and France to North Africa, the Middle East, Italy, mainland Europe, and the jungles of Indochina. They fought under both Vichy and Free French command in some of the war’s most challenging campaigns. Our new article traces the Legion’s complex role during the war, its internal transformations, battlefield engagements, and the legacy it carried into the postwar world.

110 years ago: French Foreign Legionnaires in Southeastern Europe during World War I

March 16, 2025 · Posted in 1re, history, legion

In early March 1915, a battalion of the French Foreign Legion was formed in Algeria to participate in the Allied campaigns in Southeastern Europe, including engagements in Gallipoli, Serbia, Greece, and Macedonia. Discover the harrowing journey of these nearly forgotten men, whose odyssey ultimately led them to Odessa, in what is now Ukraine…

French Foreign Legion in 2025

January 15, 2025 · Posted in legion

Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion is an integral part of the French (Land) Army (Armée de Terre) and thus an element of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces. In 2025, the Foreign Legion consists of more than 9,600 officers, NCOs, and legionnaires, representing around 150 nationalities from all over the world. They comprise 12% of France’s Land Operational Force (FOT).

French Foreign Legion in 2024

January 16, 2024 · Posted in legion

Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion is an integral part of the French (Land) Army (Armée de Terre) and thus an element of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces. In 2024, the Foreign Legion is composed of almost 9,500 officers, NCOs, and legionnaires, comprising around 150 nationalities from all over the world. They represent 12% of France’s Land Operational Force (FOT).

2023 Legion Christmas nativity scenes

January 6, 2024 · Posted in 2reg, 2rei, 2rep, 3rei, grle, legion

For the French Foreign Legion, seen as a traditional pro-Catholic institution in France (unlike the rest of the French Army), Christmas Eve marks the second most important holiday. To celebrate it, legionnaires in all units of the Foreign Legion – regardless of their origin and religious – create nativity scenes (crèches) every year and compete to see which one is the nicest and most original. The scenes can be small, static ones, or performed live with hand-made scenery. This long-standing Legion tradition is unique within the French Army. If you are interested, see some of the nativity scenes created by legionnaires in December 2023.

Legion: Digital Kepi Blanc Magazine

November 10, 2023 · Posted in 1re, legion

Since November 2023, the Képi Blanc Magazine, a monthly journal of the famous French Foreign Legion, has been available also in the digital version! For those interested, below are instructions on how to order the digital (online) version of this magazine.

Foreign Legion: 2023 Change of Command

July 26, 2023 · Posted in comle, legion

In late July 2023, General Alain Lardet left after three years the Foreign Legion Command (COMLE) to be replaced by General Cyrille Youchtchenko, the new commander-in-chief of the Legion.

2022 Foreign Legion Veterans’ Institution

January 20, 2023 · Posted in IILE, legion, veterans

See a French Army official documentary dedicated to the Foreign Legion Institution for Disabled Veterans (IILE), based in Puyloubier, southern France. The documentary was published on the Army’s official YouTube channel in late 2022.

2022 Legion Christmas nativity scenes

January 9, 2023 · Posted in 1reg, 2reg, 2rei, 3rei, dlem, legion

Christmas Eve marks the second most important holiday within the French Foreign Legion, traditionally a pro-Catholic institution. Thus, for that day, legionnaires in all units of the Legion create original nativity scenes and compete to see which one is the nicest and most original. This Legion tradition is unique within the French Army.