Created in 1831, the French Foreign Legion is an integral part of the French Land Army (Armée de Terre) and therefore a component of NATO forces. In 2026, it numbers around 9,000 officers, NCOs, and legionnaires from 156 nationalities and accounts for about 12% of France’s Land Operational Force (FOT).
Foreign Legion: 2025 Christmas Challenges
In mid-December 2025, a series of Challenges de Noël (Christmas Challenges) took place in regiments of the French Foreign Legion, both in France and abroad. These anual events are friendly competitions between companies of the same regiment. They are not about winning alone, but about building fighting spirit, teamwork, and unit cohesion. For hard-working legionnaires, the challenges also bring a moment of fun and relaxation. They are usually organized shortly before Christmas.
Autonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
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.
Read moreAutonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
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.
Foreign Legion: 2025 FSALE Congress
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
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.
Read more80 years ago: Second World War ended for legionnaires in Europe
110 years ago: French Foreign Legionnaires in Southeastern Europe during World War I
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…
Read more110 years ago: French Foreign Legionnaires in Southeastern Europe during World War I
French Foreign Legion in 2025
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
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
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
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.