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.
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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.
DLEM celebrated 40 years of its presence in Mayotte
Last month, between October 8-9, 2016, the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM) opened its doors to the public to celebrate 40 years of its existance in Mayotte.
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DLEM 2014 Official Video
The smallest Foreign Legion’s operational unit, Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (DLEM), composed of around 280 men organised into 2 companies, has released without a fuss its nice official video clip, published on DLEM’s official page in early May.