On March 3, 2026, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) of the French Foreign Legion celebrated its regimental day in Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. The ceremony honored the memory of the legionnaires who fought and won the Siege of Tuyen Quang in 1885, during the Sino-French War in what is now northern Vietnam — a battle whose name is inscribed on the regiment’s flag.
5e RE: Legion Commander Visits Mayotte
In late January 2026, General Cyrille Youchtchenko, the commander of the French Foreign Legion, visited the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) stationed in Mayotte, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.
1er REC: 4th Squadron left Mayotte
At the end of October 2025, the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) departed Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The unit had been deployed there since July of this year, serving as the 1st Company of the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE).
1er REC: 4th Squadron in Mayotte in 2025
In late July 2025, the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) became the new 1st Company of the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) in Mayotte, Indian Ocean.
5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
On March 3, 2025, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE), known as the “Regiment of Tonkin,” held its inaugural commemoration of the Siege of Tuyen Quang, marking 140 years since the Foreign Legion’s historic victory. This event, celebrated as the 5e RE’s new regimental day, highlights the enduring legacy of the 1885 battle during the Sino-French War.
Read more5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
1er REG: 3rd Company in Mayotte in 2024
Currently, in November 2024, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) are deployed to Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. See some images.
5e RE: Head of the French Armed Forces in Mayotte
On October 11, 2024, General Thierry Burkhard, Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, paid a visit to the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) in Mayotte, Indian Ocean. He was the first head of the French Armed Forces to visit the island.
DLEM: Activities in August 2021
The Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM) is a lesser-known Foreign Legion unit that is stationed in Mayotte, an island in the Indian Ocean, and an overseas department and region of France. See the unit’s activities in August 2021.
DLEM: 2020 Video Presentation
See a short but new official video presentation of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM), the last permanent post of the French Foreign Legion to remain in Africa.
DLEM: 1st Company jumping over Mayotte
In mid-September 2019, the 1st Company of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM) jumped for the very first time over the Bandrélé beach in Mayotte, an island in the Indian Ocean and an overseas department and region of France.
DLEM: Detachment open to public
During October 6-7, 2018, the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM) opened to the public the doors of Quartier Cabaribère, their military base in Dzaoudzi, Mayotte.